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Writers! Beware!

Congratulate me! A literary agent in the United States has heard about my great book and wants to see the manuscript. Is this a legitimate request?
After I calmed down from the delicious excitement of actually being contacted by an agent, I started wondering. Isn't it hard for an unknown, self-published writer to find an agent? Don't you have to be famous before an agent will even speak to you? How did this agent hear about my book? The letter doesn't explain this nor did the agent know the name of my book.

In his letter the agent says, "Word gets around fast in the publishing industry when a talented new writer is discovered." Have I been discovered - that's news to me! I can't even get my local newspaper to carry my press release about my first novel. However, I know I am a talented writer with a list of publishing credits, but the publishing world hasn't rushed to my door to publish my novel.
So what do I do? My novel has been self-published, but I would love to find a publisher in the United States. Should I take this letter seriously? What harm would it do to send him a copy?
The agent's brochure is well-designed with clients comments. One of them says, "I had been represented by a number of literary agencies before...it took them a year but they finally sold my manuscript." Could this agency do the same for me? So, should I take a chance and contact this agent?

I took a chance and sent a copy of my novel, and the first two chapters in manuscript form. I began dreaming of success and felt like I was at the top of a mountain looking down on millions of people clamoring for my autograph. Talk show hosts vied for my attendance and the money started rolling in. Then I crashed painfully to earth as my cynical nature took over and I reread the letter.
The agent stated, "...I earn a living by submitting marketable manuscripts to publishers...". How can he make a living this way? Much later I discovered how he did it. In the meantime I received an e-mail newsletter, Inklings. It contained the information I was looking for.
Under "Authors Complaints" was a listing from Richard Cote on literary agents. Was the agent who contacted me on this list? The name wasn't there but a list of what to look for in an agent was. Stated in bold print was the answer to my question of whether this agent was legitimate. "An agent should never solicit you. A good agent isn't looking for business, s/he is turning it away."
Well, so much for dreams!

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