It’s not uncommon. Publishers pick up stories that are in rough shape all the time. Its about “potential” and not a small amount of luck.

Of course there’s all sort of things we writers can do to up the chance of us being seen, but none of them are garuntees.

Some of the greatest writers were rejected regularly regardless of the “perfection” of thier work.

The morale of that story (from traditional publishing anyway) is always keep writing and keep submitting because you never know when or how and piece might be picked up and put into motion!