I've thought for a while now that if you were going to be a writer, you had to have an agent, so s/he could sell your manuscript to bigger publishing companies that your little, unsolicited self couldn't contact otherwise. But I was told today by a writer friend of mine who's gotten a book of his published that, since I'm not an already established writer, I shouldn't look for an agent; they'll just sap my money, and most probably wouldn't be interested in me anyway, since I'm not an established writer and I would pose a financial risk for them.

I know there are a few other published authors on these boards besides Jim. So my question to them (and to other unpublished authors, if they have any tips) is this: should an aspiring but as-of-yet unpublished author get an agent off the bat, or hold off and get one after they are published? What are the pros and cons of both options? Any help would be immensely appreciated. Thanks!