I get asked questions about publishing frequently, whether by e-mail or at book signings and events. Usually I shrug and mumble something about luck, because it does feel kind of arbitrary. But I thought I���d use this opportunity to answer as many of those questions as I can.

To make it more entertaining, let���s start by discussing Fifty Shades of Grey ��� since it���s one of those anomalies we really can���t use as a basis for any true conversation about publishing. But it���s always the kind ...