Ardain Isma
CSMS Magazine
In the increasingly crowded world of independent publishing, one truth keeps surfacing: most indie writers find comfort among their peers rather than doing the harder, riskier work of seeking readers. It is a flaw that speaks not only to insecurity but also to a dangerous misunderstanding of the writing life.
The “writing community” offers immediate warmth. Fellow authors are quick with likes, retweets, and supportive comments. Yet, this echo chamber is also a trap. Writers write for readers, not for other writers. And while camaraderie has its place, validation from peers does little to advance the fundamental mission: connecting stories with an audience.
The harder road—the courageous road—is the one that leads outward. It requires stepping into unfamiliar spaces, where rejection is likely and indifference is common. It means engaging strangers, cultivating readers, and building trust in a world oversaturated with books. This work demands persistence and humility, yet it is the only work that matters if the goal is to be read, not simply admired by colleagues.
Independent publishing has never been more democratic, yet it has also never been more brutal. The ease of self-publishing has produced an avalanche of titles competing for limited attention. In this climate, peer approval is a poor substitute for readership. Writers who linger in comfort zones risk vanishing into obscurity—applauded by their friends but unread by the world.
The indie writer’s challenge, then, is to exchange comfort for courage. To recognize that growth lies outside the bubble. To leave behind the safe applause of fellow travelers and to brave the silence of strangers, trusting that some will eventually respond. For it is only in that uncertain space that writing fulfills its true purpose: to be read, to be felt, to matter.
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, Last Spring was Bittersweet and The Cry of a Lone Bird You can order these books by clicking on the links above.
