Querytracker.net's Patrick McDonald points out that many big-name publishing houses seek agent-only submissions. This doesn't mean you must have an agent to be published, however. Cader Books asserts that agents tend to know what editors want. Research the trends through sources such as "Publishers Weekly" online or offline. If you write what the editors want to see, agents will be easier to find, if you need them.
Conventions range from small gatherings catering to a few sections of society with similar interests to much larger events with tens of thousands of visitors a day. Some last for a day or a weekend, while others may span a week, with a focus that ranges from anime to writing to business. Among hundreds of conventions scheduled worldwide in any given year, the most visible occur in the sci-fi/fantasy community, namely Dragon*Con and the World Fantasy Convention. Such events attract several well-known authors, who may host or teach workshops or lead conferences where aspiring authors can network. Conference organizer Don George of BookPassage.com states that "wise students will spend time researching the different publications and websites," to learn which people to seek out at a conference.
Some authors get their start by writing short stories for publication in magazines. Others apply to contests -- from small, local contests such as the Abilene Writers Guild Annual Contest in Abilene, Texas, to the much larger national and international contests like the L. Ron Hubbard Writers of the Future Contest. You'll find contest info in such publications as "Writer's Digest" and "Writer's Market," online and offline. The more you win or place in such contests, the better your query looks to editors. Awards such as the Nebula in the fantasy/sci-fi genre target superior published writing.
You can self-publish, but it's not easy: You become editor, agent and marketer, performing the job of the publishing company. You'll handle sales and advertising, as well as book signings and travel. Print-on-demand companies, vanity presses and online vendors print what you write for a fee, usually for a certain amount of copies, but leave everything else up to you, including the research meant to figure out which companies are legit. Cover art may come from the company's in-house illustrator, who requires payment for the services.
The quality of the printing varies, but most companies send you a copy ahead of time. You decide how much to charge for the book, based on your research of what similar books sell for in the marketplace, as well as how much you need to break even on each book sale. If you don't have a head for business and/or can't multitask effectively, this option probably isn't for you.