Every time someone becomes spectacularly successful, especially if success bursts upon the public, many people ponder why. Most of us do this idly, out of curiosity. A few do so hoping they can duplicate the blockbuster. Literary agents and publishers may do so hoping to improve their ability to recognize a possible bestseller when it comes their way.
And we writers think wistfully about Jo Rowling’s near billions and Stephanie Meyer’s millions. Why couldn’t it have been us? Can it be us?
