Can I approach a publisher direct?

Can I approach a publisher direct?

Alexandra Pringle (Editor in Chief) gives expert video advice on: Can I send an unsolicited manuscript?; How many publishers can I approach at the same time? and more...

On the whole, I don't think it's a good idea to approach a publisher directly. However, I think that if it's a work of non-fiction, you've got more chance, because it's a short proposal. If the non-fiction book is on a very strong subject and the proposal is well written, I think it has more chance of getting the publishing editor's attention. If it's a novel, I think it's very hard.