ok I know this is a really general question... but is there any advice you can give me for my first submission?

like - if you could summarize some steps to success? I don't really know if i'm heading in the right direction and I'd really like to get a good shot at this. I did a really detailed sketch, in pen, put in on the computer, edited it a bit and stuck it on some of the templates. Is that all there is to it?

also - Is there really a fair chance to get selected for print? I've heard that it can be a bit of a popularity contest...