Publishing: a risky business?

This collection asks questions about how - of the thousands of books that are published each year in the UK - a handful become best sellers or award-winners, some all but disappear and the rest fall somewhere in between. Is there a secret formula or any evidence of foul play? Does talent always rise to the top or is there an element of chance or luck involved? How much do reviews matter? What influence does the publishing industry really have over sales figures, and what might the future hold?