World publishing markets

It is true to say that British publishers are more looking for character driven novels and that in America it is more plot driven ? Say you a have a novel that you think would be better suited to the American, Austarlian or even Asian markets. Would you just contact publishing houses in the country where you thought your writing would maybe sell best.

I was looking at the penguin publishers, there US and UK sites, and they seem to differ to a degree. It looks like you may have more chance of success with American Penguin although they are the same company. Would US publishers on the whole accept scripts from anywhere in the world.

On a different topic. In the UK if you publish under an alias can you prevent your real name being assosciated with the work in media ect...

if you have taken the time to answer this thanks.