Entitled "Guardians", I'm currently in the process of rereading in hopes of fixing gramatical errors and modifying a few parts here and there as I go along. At 441pgs, I'd like to knock it down to just under 400 if at all possible (hopefully without wrecking the plot.)

The question I have today is: What now???

Do I need an agent? What would need to be done in that department? Does anyone know of any reputable people to contact, publishers. etc.?

Kryso will probably see this & he might be able to give you your next steps. BTW congrats on finishing your novel

I am presently on break at work, but I know something about this,,,though I don't have the time to go into it in detail right now.
However, it is preferable to have an agent, but there ARE "no agent needed" publishers out there. Unfortunately, most AREN'T very reputable. You might have to publish THIS Novel yourself, then try to sell it to distributors or at least on the internet, like for example, on amazon.com.
Once you have a book published then I believe that you can join a Union, get an agent and then it SHOULD BE much easier to secure a publishing contract in the future.
These are some preleminary hints. I'll get back to you when I have more time to lay out some additional details for you.

Go online at www.publishamerica.com (go to author information). They work without agents, so you don't have hand over 15% to them. They also take everything online and let you know within 2 weeks!

Hope it goes well.

Or contact me on krys0prase@hotmail.com and I will offer any help I can. Trust me I know what it's like! Speak to you soon.

And congrats on finishing the manuscript!

Glen