Ardain Isma
CSMS Magazine
The path of an independent writer is one of the most grueling terrains in today’s creative landscape. Algorithms shift, audiences scatter, and the cost of visibility grows steeper by the day. Yet instead of facing this reality head-on, many indie writers instinctively seek comfort among their peers rather than doing the harder work of pursuing readers.
At first glance, this choice is understandable. Fellow writers provide an immediate circle of validation: they understand the craft, the frustrations of rejection, and the endless battle with self-doubt. In private groups or online forums, writers can vent, celebrate small victories, and share advice without fear of judgment. This camaraderie feels safe. But it is also deceptive.
Readers—not other writers—ultimately determine whether a book survives. Too often, however, indie authors remain locked in an echo chamber, mistaking encouragement from peers for real momentum in the marketplace. The result is a culture where comfort becomes a substitute for risk, and self-preservation trumps outreach. The grind of marketing, networking with readers, and positioning a book within a crowded market feels overwhelming, so many retreat to the familiarity of their own community.
This inward focus can border on selfishness. Rather than serving the reader—the true end of all writing—some indie authors chase validation, hoping that peer approval will somehow substitute for public recognition. But art, once shared, belongs not to the creator’s circle, but to the wider world.
Breaking through today requires courage: not just to write, but to leave the safety of writerly comfort zones. Indie writers must remember that readers are not a faceless crowd but individuals eager for connection. To reach them demands vulnerability, persistence, and the humility to place audience above ego. Only then can comfort transform into genuine success.
Note: Ardain Isma is the Chief-Editor of CSMS Magazine. He is the author of several books, including Midnight at Noon, Bittersweet Memories of Last Spring, and Last Spring was Bittersweet. You can order these books by clicking on the links above.
Also see: Writers must read more
