@Doreen and Ep
Publication standards have changed a lot since those days. I still wonder how Stephanie Meyer got published, considering, IMO, those aren't real vampires in her story, but some other type of creatures. A friend of mine in the publishing industry told me that agents and publishers care more about money before the art aspect of a book. This article might interest both of you.
http://www.mediabistro.com/galleycat...writers_b10406