There is a big different between Agatha Christy, who is a professional author, and James Joyce, who is an artist.
Now, the two can overlap somewhat. But an artist who can make a living off of it is the exception, and not the rule.
Publishers exist to make money. They very much look at games similarly to screws in a factory. If you want to be an artist, you break off and do the indie thing -- maybe you do actually make something great and publishers get interested and pick up your work, but probably not -- you'll probably end up self-publishing and selling a handful of units, but probably not enough to pay the rent.