[Havlen]

I think it is definitely best to start with agents. There are some publishers out there that accept unsolicited material, and there are ways to get solicited without an agent, but I think you decrease your chances when going that route.

First, a publisher has two standard ways of getting new material: Through agented submissions and through the 'slush' pile. The chances of finding something in the slush pile is roughly 1 in 1,000. Thinking in terms of an editor, this means going through the slush pile is checking through a haystack for a needle when you have another stack (agented submissions) with a *lot* less hay in it. (More than likely it will be a junior agent or intern going through that stack anyways.)

Compare this to an agent whose main source of new writers will be their slush pile, and there is a considerable difference in the mindset of the person reading the submission. While the editor might be thinking of it as busy work that must be done but won't yield anything, an agent might be thinking, 'Gee, i hope I find something good'.

Second, an agent is going to be able to pitch a manuscript with more success than an author because (1) editors give them higher priority and more attention and (2) they have more experience making pitches. Not to mention they will be able to submit to publishers who only accept submissions from agents.

Third, if you go through all the available publishers and then try to find an agent you are going to have a tougher time of it. An agent might not want to take on a manuscript that has already been submitted to half the publishers.

Basically, I would suggest being patient. I know, tough thing to do, and something I'm not always good at. But if you start with agents you can always submit to publishers later -- you aren't closing that door -- whereas you might be closing some doors if you start with publishers.