[Teresa Edgerton]

Well, there really is an element of luck and timing. But even if you write something wonderful and it just isn't the right time, it's time may come. And editors come and go at publishing houses; editorial assistants rise to be editors; so if, say five years later, the market seems more auspicious, there will be new editors you can submit your work to.

This, of course, is where agents come in, where networking comes in: so that you can, possibly, turn the luck and timing aspect to your advantage, by knowing where and when and who.