[pi-e-sigma]

If your standard of success is 'making good money' instead of leaving lasting impression and still being read hundreds of years after the author's death then you are still wrong. Only a tiny amount of all authors were able to make _any_ money from their books, let alone enough to live comfortable lives. Book publishing is like professional sport or entertainment, only the very top make any money. Hence if you are already wealthy you can keep trying and maybe finally you make it big. If you are poor you don't have that luxury.