It took me two years of slow growth to break the 1K Mark of followers. I write mainly Fiction, Humor, or Poetry. I have had curated pieces in all three categories. I am still clueless. Apart from their published guidelines, I think it boils down to a coin toss.

I visualize Chigurh from No Country for Old Men saying call it heads or tails while giving veiled threats to the curators.

I recently wrote a murder mystery short story, I had high hopes for that ended on the heaps.

From reading this post, I recognize a well-polished writer. You will continue to grow on your merits alone. And along the way a curator might surprise you.