I received your typical stock rejection letter from a publisher once, and then at a convention, someone from that company was flipping through my portfolio and recognized the sample pages.  “I remember this submission.  Loved the artwork, really liked the writing, but I passed on it because I didn’t think it would sell.” It was one of those, “oh, so close” moments that made you want to either drink heavily or slam your forehead against the wall (or both… just don’t be taking a swig when your forehead hits the wall).