very rare instances, a first time author is able to get his or her foot in the door and get a manuscript looked at by an editor for a major publisher. However, you absolutely must understand that in the 21 st century this completely is the exception and not the rule. In this day and age, writers who are making headway in getting published are those that have agents. Therefore, if you really are serious about the business of writing, you will want to focus your attention on getting an agent as opposed to getting your foot in the door of a major publishing house. What you will find as you begin your search for an agent is that it is extremely difficult to get a well-qualified and experienced agent to represent you. The typical major agency or highly regarded agent already has a full plate of writers. However, if you can develop a compelling excerpt from something you have written, combined with a terrific synopsis of the work and a tremendously appealing resume, you may have at least some chance of garnering the attention of an agent or agency. There are some smaller agencies and much lesser known (and, as a result, less connected) agents with whom you may be able to sign. You may want to consider this as a stepping-stone on your own way to greater success. With that said, you need to bear in mind that an agent or agency that asks you to pay them