actually, if you know somebody with money or know people in high places its quite easy... you need to follow the right course of action though. If you simply just wrote something and want it published, chances are it won't be - put if you work up a reputation through amatuer writing, in journals, newspapers, and forms of new media you've got a greater chance...
...yes as you say I got lucky - I can use this as a base if I ever want anything published... I know of people in the past who have been published after appearing in Young Writer's Showcase