We highly recommend this Guardian article for a razor sharp insight into what is
really
going on behind the scenes in publishing and how it affects your chances of
getting read:

File it in the bin:

Most publishers no longer read unsolicited manuscripts - but that doesn't stop
writers
sending them in. Aida Edemariam, who has rejected more submissions than she
cares to
remember, investigates:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/2008/sep/04/publishing.pressandpublishing