Trish, I was fortunate enough to find an agent and it was sheer determination that allowed it. I used Herman's book, The Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents. It is my most dog-eared, written in, and highlighted book. He offers the following information for agents:
Name
Born
Education'career History
Hobbies/personal interests
Areas most interested in agenting
Areas not interested in agenting
If not agenting, what might you be doing
Best way to initiate contact
Client representation
Comminssion structure
Nimber of titles sold last year
Rejection rate
Common mistakes authors make
Description of the client from hell
Description of the dream client
How did you become an agent
Why did you become an agent
How would you describe what you do for a living
What can writers do to enhance thier chances of getting you as their agent
What do you think about editors
What do you think about publishers
Comments
Representative titles

You can learn so much by reading this book cover to cover and get a real feel for agents that you may click with. That's key.

I finally found my agent through Writers Digest. They had an article that listed 25 agents looking for new talent. The funny thing is that I had crossed out my agent in Herman's book, but when I read about her in the magazine I decided to give it a try. She was accepting online queries so I went for it. I heard back within a half hour.

Brenda, you may want to ask some of the questions I listed above. Here are a few more:

-Is it a per project representation?
-What is their commission rate?
-Is there a time limit to representation?
-What about termination by you or the agent if the relationship doesn't work?

You want an established agent who has sold books in your field. You also want someone who is equally as passionate about your work.

Good luck. Keep us posted.