Dangers of Self-Publishing

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The Danger of Self-Publishing Without Feedback (And How to Avoid It)

TL;DR (Quick Summary for Busy Readers!)

  1. Self-publishing allows authors to publish instantly—but without feedback, some books release before they’re ready.
  2. Every first draft is flawed, and even great authors (Harper Lee, Adele) have needed revisions based on feedback.
  3. Indie authors may not have publishers, but they do have communities—and need to use them.
  4. Find beta readers, critique groups, or fellow writers to get honest input before publishing.
  5. Don’t contribute to the self-publishing stigma. Get feedback, revise, and make your book the best it can be.

Hey friends! Today, I want to talk about one of the biggest risks in self-publishing—releasing a book without getting real, honest feedback.

I’ve been reading Perennial Seller by Ryan Holiday, and he emphasizes how essential feedback is for any creative work. Editors, producers, publishers—these are all people who help refine creative projects before they’re released into the world.

And he makes an important point:

Imagine if every author or creative was given carte blanche to make whatever they wanted—a world in which no one ever challenged or reviewed their work before publishing it. The result would be an avalanche of terrible first drafts released as final products.

That quote hit me hard because, well… we’re kind of already living in that world.

The Double-Edged Sword of Self-Publishing

Self-publishing is an amazing opportunity. It removes the gatekeepers and allows more people to share their stories with the world. But here’s the danger:

Unlike traditional publishing, where manuscripts go through agents, editors, multiple rounds of revisions, and professional scrutiny, self-published authors can hit “publish” anytime—without showing their work to anyone first.

The freedom to self-publish is incredible. But the lack of oversight means some books are released before they’re truly ready. The risk? A flood of low-quality, unpolished books that hurt the reputation of self-published and indie authors as a whole.

I’m not calling out anyone in particular—I’ve seen amazing self-published books. But I’ve also seen books that weren’t given the time, attention, or editing they deserved before being released. And when that happens, it reinforces the stigma that self-publishing means “bad books.”

Every First Draft is (Probably) Terrible

Ernest Hemingway famously said:

“The first draft of anything is shit.”

It doesn’t matter how talented you are—when you’re too close to your own work, you lose objectivity. That’s why feedback is so important.

Ryan Holiday gives examples of famous works that only succeeded because the creators sought and accepted rigorous feedback:

  • Harper Lee completely scrapped the first draft of To Kill a Mockingbird and started over.
  • Adele turned in an initial version of her album to Rick Rubin, only to take two more years refining it based on feedback.

Even the best creators don’t get it right the first time. None of us do.

What If You Don’t Have Editors or Publishers?

It’s easy to look at successful, traditionally published authors and think, Well, they had publishers, agents, and connections. Of course they had feedback.

But what about indie and self-published authors? Many don’t have access to professional publishers or editors, and hiring an editor can be expensive.

If that’s the case, what can you do?

The Solution: Writing Communities & Feedback Groups

Traditional authors have publishers. Self-published authors have each other.

Thanks to the internet, writers can build communities, exchange feedback, and refine their work—even without professional publishers behind them. Finding and connecting with a writing community can:

  • Provide honest, constructive feedback before publishing.
  • Help you catch problems you wouldn’t notice on your own.
  • Strengthen your writing through shared insights and knowledge.
  • Improve the quality of self-published books collectively.

Even if you can afford an editor (and I highly recommend investing in one if possible), peer feedback from a writing group is still invaluable.

Don’t Publish in a Vacuum

If you’re an author (or aspiring author) and you’ve never shared your work with a writing group, critique partner, or beta readers, you’re taking a major risk.

Even if you’re not publishing a literal first draft, if your book hasn’t gone through enough rounds of feedback and revision, it might still read like a first draft. And you won’t know that unless you get honest input from others.

Nobody creates flawless first drafts.
And nobody creates better second drafts without external feedback.
—Ryan Holiday (Perennial Seller)

You don’t need Rick Rubin providing feedback on your book—but you do need beta readers, critique partners, or some form of outside review before hitting publish.

Find Your Writing Community

If you feel isolated in your writing journey, don’t be. Writing doesn’t have to be a lonely pursuit—there are communities filled with writers eager to exchange feedback and support. You just need to find them.

Here are a few ways to get started:

  • Join a local writing group (libraries or community centers often have them!).
  • Search for online writing workshops or forums.
  • Find critique partners who will read your work before you publish.
  • Connect with writers who will push you to improve—not just tell you what you want to hear.

If you’re looking for a place to start, I’m working to build a supportive writing community where authors can workshop ideas, discuss writing challenges, and help each other refine their work. If that sounds like something that could help you, I’d love for you to check it out (details linked below).

Final Thoughts: Don’t Contribute to the Self-Publishing Stigma

When books are published too early, before they’re truly ready, it doesn’t just hurt the author—it contributes to the idea that self-published books are lower quality. Don’t let your work be part of that problem.

  • If you can invest in an editor, do it.
  • If you can’t, at least seek out honest, thorough peer feedback.
  • Find a writing group that will give you the constructive input you need to improve your book before publication.

The more we work together to improve the quality of self-published books, the more respect indie authors will earn in the publishing world.

What’s your experience with getting feedback before publishing? Do you have a writing group or critique partner? If not, what’s stopped you from finding one? Drop a comment and let’s talk about it!

Thanks for reading—now go get feedback and make your book the best it can be!

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