How do you get a book published and who is the best publisher?

I intend on going with Lulu.com. From what I've heard getting a publisher to even glance at your work is a nightmare. Without an agent impossible, and getting an agent is harder than getting it published... Thats just what I've gathered, so I'm going to go the self publishing route.

I will honestly tell you to stay away from vanity press or POD publishers. If you are really sincere about getting published, you need to do your research. What genre your involved in, check out publishing houses (there are many small press publishers that look at new authors), check out places like writersink for small press. Get involved with other writers in your genre, via forums, message boards, yahoo groups ect. I highly recommend getting an agent, and again, I recommend doing research. You will get tons of rejections, use them to decorate a wastebasket with, but take them to heart, if an editor says something pertaining to your work learn from it. Then when you do get that one Yes, celebrate, and continue to write. In fact, after your work is out cycling, write something else, don't dwell on what is already out there. Good luck and keep writing. (BTW: it took five years for my first book to get published, but I wrote three others in the meantime and two were published before my first one was, so it does happen, it just takes time)

I have published two books, write the book, edit it several times over, get an agent if you want to try the book publishing houses but they are next to impossible to get into or go print on demand and publish your book but you have to do your own marketing.

In regards to LuLu, yes thet are a nice venture, but you have to do all the footwork for it, and most brick and mortar bookstores will not carry a vanity press publication.