Success in Writing

Kelly writes below that all that's required for success is to "be very good, work very very hard, get very very very lucky, and survive in the business long enough for people to notice."

I would agree on the luck, hard work and survival. But I have read a lot of bad books, often by successful writers, as well as mediocre books and skillful books that are simply boring.

Maybe these books are good in comparison to what doesn't get published. Editors have deeply disturbing stories about slush pi...