How does one go about getting short stories and novels published?

Question: How does one go about getting short stories and novels published!?
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

Submit, submit, submit! Send them to local and national magazines, journals and newsletters!. Many addresses can be found online, or you can go to the library and check out the Writer's Directory!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There are only a very few publishers who accept unsolicited manuscripts (those that don't go through an agent), so you need to get an agent!. Go to the library or bookstore and look for Guide to Literary Agents (published by Writer's Digest)!. Look for those that specialize in your type of writing and are accepting new clients (I am sure you can do the same thing online)!. Read, and follow, their submission guidelines!.

Send them a query letter, which is part synopsis of the book and part explanation as to why it deserves to be published!. Expect it to take lots of time, and expect many rejections!. The agent is the one who will submit your work to the publisher, not you!.

All of this assumes that you have edited your work several times and made it the absolute best it can be, then gotten it proofread by someone who knows what they are doing (don't rely just on spellcheck)!. Www@QuestionHome@Com