This is similar to writers who research the market for their books in order to appeal to a publisher. If a writer sees there are already too many books on a certain subject, but still has a unique approach, they can propose that to a publisher and make their case. If it doesn't work, they keep it on the back burner and maybe a time will come later. If not, they can write on another topic.
As I've been involved in a few publications in 'real life' it works that way.
What does get a little tedious is people who haven't been around too long, who submit, let's say, a music lyrics quiz from a popular group, and when we ask them to take all the quizzes on that group, they claim they have, yet their quiz does not show proof of it.
FT editor
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I was born under a wandering star.