What sets the successful "creators" apart from the rest? Quality? Timing? Luck? Network? In the world of independent comics, my experience is that it is all of

What sets the successful "creators" apart from the rest? Quality? Timing? Luck? Network? In the world of independent comics, my experience is that it is all of these. Regularly put out decent stuff that you enjoy doing and the followers will slowly climb. Doing fan-art of popular stuff you like can give you boosts, but can also be a trap. Being there at the right time helps, but you're not gonna be there at the right time with exactly what the moment demands without being there at the wrong time with a lot of okay work beforehand. Luck is the same - the more opportunities you have for long shots, the more likely it is for one of them to finally hit. Good feedback comes from a mix of your peers and your fans. Share WIPs with both. Good feedback can also come from pros - in the world of comics for instance, you can go to a convention and get in line for a portfolio review, both at "major" publishers[1] and the occasional grizzled pro who just likes to give back to the community by doing this for anyone interested. Networking comes largely from people who entered the same field at the same time as you and became some kind of friend. The ones you're always delighted to hook up with for a drink/hangout/bitch session with when you're at the same con are the ones who will be most likely to pass on any powerful connections they manage to make[2]. You should be happy to return the favor of course! 1: DC and Marvel and the like, who are actually pretty small fish when you compare their output to the massive amount of books moved in kid's-comics channels - I think my friend Dana recently said she sold more Phoebe and her Unicorn over the past year than Marvel sold across their entire line of comics 2: for instance, you can bet I'm gonna be asking Dana to have a look over the YA SF graphic novel I've been working on when it's done and see if there's anyone at her publisher she'd be willing to pass it on to!