Fountain of Knowledge

If you're not looking at self-publishing, I think an agent is definitely the way to go, especially for a new author. I didn't think that a year ago and then I started researching. You get your foot in the door with an agent the same way you would a publisher, query letters, sample chapters, etc. But like Cav mentioned, a lot of publishers don't look at work from unagented authors.

They also do all the legwork for you. Once you have an agent, they personally know people in the industry and they go submit your book through every avenue they can think of. And they act as a buffer for the rejections, and they help you with your contract when that time comes around.

I think any magazine is going to want your writing, regardless of age, as long as it's well written The one thing I would remember there - while you're still under 18, you can't enter into a legally binding contract, so some magazines might stay away from that because it means having a parent or guardian involved in the deal as well.