The people I know who are really successful at this have the writing skill, certainly, but they also are constantly putting themselves into the writing community, meeting other writers, talking with other writers. My friend went to all the events, met all the writers, now she has a podcast, she invited hosts from other, more popular podcasts to co-host, suddenly she’s got Hugh freakin’ Howie on her podcast, next thing I know she’s writing a book with someone very successful (she gets to put her name on it, in smaller print) and is published with Penguin.
It looks exhausting.
But it appears that’s how it’s done.
On a personal note, every writer needs a champion, someone who genuinely believes in their work, and it’s clear you are his. My husband is my champion. He’s read it all, multiple times. He helped me figure out the things that weren’t working. I knew he really believed in me when he bought me an editor one Christmas. She remains a very good friend.