Is self-publishing your book likely to attract or dissuade agents and publishers? See what our experts think in the first of our Q&A videos from last year's Swanwick Writers' School.

In discussion are Weidenfeld and Nicholson publisher Alan Samson, social media guru Rebecca Woodhead and Writing Magazine editor Jonathan Telfer, and the panel is chaired by Writing Magazine publisher Janet Davison.

We'll be adding more answers from our expert panel in the coming weeks and months. Subscribe to our FREE e-newsletter to ensure you don't miss the next one.

The Q&A took place at the Swanwick Writers' Summer School in 2012 - watch our introductory video below to get a flavour of Swanwick's expert course leaders, writers and surroundings.