What really matters for a book's success?

Blurbs, publicity, marketing, design, and other considerations on an unscientific scattergram of author anxiety investment vs. overall importance

Close your eyes and come along with me to San Junipero. You and I are on a rooftop somewhere, surrounded by Instagrammable colored lights, consuming frozé and a panoply of fine cheeses as we dish about your writing career. There is a smear of Camembert bobbing on my upper lip, but try not to let it distract you, for you know I am about to start with the…