I am hopefully soon going to be ready to send a manuscript out and am opting for a prospective agent from the Writer's an Artist's Yearbook. The reason being that I feel they will know the right publisher for my work should they deem it suitable and will have more experience of getting the best deal. Self publishing is not something I would ever consider as I want to start with someone thinking my work is good enough to print, but it seems that many do. When your work is ready to submit, which option will you choose?
So you want a publisher because you don't have the confidence your work is good enough until someone says it is? That comes across in submissions, Gilly. It would be better to find a way to shake that off. If you aren't confident in your work, how can you expect anyone else to be?
I'm still continuing down both paths at the same time. I'm preparing a submission but also preparing to self-publish as well. That's not because I think I'll get turned down but because the deal you are offered if it does happen isn't always the deal you should take. First-time authors, even when they get the renumeration they want, don't always get the investment in their work with regard to advertising that they would hope for. I hope for the right deal, but I'm prepared for what I'll have to do if I don't get it.
I will go for an Agent since some Publishers won't accept a MS with out an Agent (Hope I have my facts right). I would recommending checking the Writers and Artists year book, that should tell you which Publisher want you to have an Agent first.