Self-Publishing: The Pros, the Cons, and Legitimate Companies You Can Use

A balanced guide to the pros and cons of self-publishing, plus legitimate platforms writers can trust and vanity presses to avoid.

Self-publishing has transformed the publishing world. Writers no longer need to secure a traditional publishing deal to see their work in print or available online. 

Today, authors can publish ebooks, paperbacks, and even audiobooks themselves, often with global reach.

However, self-publishing is not automatically the right choice for everyone. It comes with clear advantages, genuine drawbacks, and a landscape that includes both reputable platforms and firms best avoided.

This guide looks at the pros and cons of self-publishing and highlights legitimate companies writers can use with confidence.

The Pros of Self-Publishing

1. Creative Control

Self-publishing allows you to retain full control over:

Content and tone

Cover design

Pricing

Release dates

Updates and revisions

There is no editorial board to persuade and no requirement to reshape your work to fit a market trend.

For many writers, this freedom is invaluable.

2. Faster Time to Publication

Traditional publishing can take literally years from submission to publication.

Self-publishing can take:

Weeks

Or even days

This is particularly beneficial for:

Timely non-fiction

Serial fiction

Bloggers and content creators

Writers responding to current events or trends

3. Higher Royalty Rates

Self-published authors typically earn a much higher percentage per sale than traditionally published authors.

While exact rates vary, self-publishing platforms often offer:

Significantly higher ebook royalties

Transparent payment systems

Regular reporting

You may sell fewer copies, but earn more per copy.

4. Ownership of Rights

When you self-publish, you generally retain:

Copyright

Distribution rights

Translation and adaptation rights

This gives you flexibility for future opportunities, including audiobooks, foreign editions, or licensing.

The Cons of Self-Publishing

1. Upfront Costs

Self-publishing is not free if done properly.

Potential costs include:

Professional editing

Cover design

Formatting

ISBNs (depending on platform and country

Cutting corners here can harm credibility and sales.

2. No Built-In Marketing

Unlike traditional publishing, self-publishing rarely includes:

Marketing campaigns

Media outreach

Bookshop placement

You are responsible for:

Promotion

Audience building

Visibility

Many books fail not due to quality, but because nobody knows they exist.

3. Discoverability Is Challenging

Online marketplaces are crowded.

Standing out requires:

Strong metadata and keywords

Good cover design

Consistent promotion

Patience

Success is often gradual rather than immediate.

4. Quality Control Is Your Responsibility

There is no external gatekeeper.

That means:

Mistakes can slip through

Poor presentation can damage reputation

Reviews may be unforgiving

Professional standards still matter — even when self-publishing.

Legitimate Self-Publishing Platforms You Can Use

The following platforms are widely regarded as reputable, transparent, and non-exploitative.

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Best for:

Ebooks and print-on-demand paperbacks

Global reach

Pros:

Easy to use

Huge marketplace

No upfront publishing fees

Considerations:

Competitive environment

Exclusivity if you enrol in certain programmes

IngramSpark

Best for:

Print distribution to bookshops and libraries

Pros:

Professional-grade printing

Wide distribution channels

Suitable for authors targeting bookshops

Considerations:

Setup fees

More complex interface

Draft2Digital

Best for:

Wide ebook distribution beyond Amazon

Pros:

Distributes to multiple retailers

Simple dashboard

No upfront fees

Considerations:

Slightly lower royalties due to aggregator model

Kobo Writing Life

Best for:

International and UK-friendly ebook distribution

Pros:

Strong presence outside the US

Transparent reporting

No publishing fees

Considerations:

Smaller market share than Amazon

Apple Books for Authors

Best for:

Direct access to Apple’s ecosystem

Pros:

High-quality storefront

Good international reach

Considerations:

Requires Apple-compatible setup

A Word of Caution: Vanity Presses

Be wary of companies that:

Charge large upfront fees

Promise guaranteed sales or bestseller status

Market themselves as “hybrid publishers” without transparency

Lock you into restrictive contracts

A legitimate self-publishing platform:

Does not require thousands of pounds upfront

Allows you to leave

Does not claim to market your book magically

If a company makes publishing sound effortless and expensive, proceed carefully.

Is Self-Publishing Right for You?

Self-publishing suits writers who:

Value independence

Are willing to learn

Accept responsibility for quality and promotion

Prefer long-term growth over instant validation

It may not suit writers who:

Want full marketing support

Dislike technical processes

Prefer traditional gatekeeping

Neither route is “better” — they are simply different.

Final Thoughts: An Empowering Option, Not a Shortcut

Self-publishing is not a shortcut to success, but it is a legitimate, empowering route for writers who want control, flexibility, and ownership.

Done well, it can be deeply rewarding.

Done carelessly, it can be frustrating.

The key is informed choice, realistic expectations, and professional standards.

How to Create an Online Writer’s Group That Actually Works

Learn how to create an online writer’s group that offers support, accountability, and feedback without burnout or unrealistic expectations.

Writing is often a solitary pursuit, but very few writers truly thrive in isolation. 

An online writer’s group can provide motivation, accountability, feedback, and a sense of belonging, if it is set up thoughtfully.

Many online writing groups fail not because the writers lack talent, but because expectations are unclear, structures are too rigid, or participation becomes overwhelming. 

Creating a successful online writer’s group is less about scale and more about clarity, kindness, and consistency.

This guide walks you through how to create an online writer’s group that supports writers rather than exhausting them.

1. Be Clear About the Purpose of the Group

Before inviting anyone, decide what your group is for.

Ask yourself:

Is this a support and accountability group?

A critique and feedback circle?

A co-working or “write-along” space?

A networking and publishing-focused group?

Trying to do everything at once often leads to frustration. A clear purpose helps attract the right members and prevents mismatched expectations.

You can always evolve later.

2. Decide Who the Group Is For (and Who It Isn’t)

Successful writer’s groups have boundaries.

Consider:

Genre focus (or multi-genre)

Experience level (beginners, intermediate, mixed)

Commitment expectations

Whether neurodivergent-friendly practices are explicitly supported

Being inclusive does not mean being vague. Clear criteria help members feel safe and understood.

3. Choose the Right Platform

The best platform is the one your members will actually use.

Common options include:

Private Facebook groups

Discord or Slack servers

WhatsApp or Telegram groups (best for small numbers)

Dedicated community platforms

Video platforms for live sessions, including Zoom

Avoid overcomplicating things at the start. One main space is usually enough.

4. Set Simple, Written Ground Rules

Clear guidelines prevent most problems before they arise.

Helpful rules might include:

Respectful, constructive feedback only

No unsolicited critique

Confidentiality within the group

No spam or aggressive self-promotion

Clear boundaries around time and availability

These do not need to be long or legalistic — just visible and fair.

5. Keep the Structure Light and Flexible

Rigid schedules can exclude people with caring responsibilities, health conditions, or irregular work patterns.

Instead, consider:

Optional weekly or fortnightly check-ins

Monthly writing prompts

Asynchronous feedback threads

Occasional live sessions that are recorded or optional

Flexibility encourages longevity.

6. Encourage Participation Without Pressure

Many writers struggle with confidence, time, or energy.

Make it clear that:

Lurking is allowed

Sharing is optional

Taking breaks is normal

Progress looks different for everyone

A healthy group values presence, not performance.

7. Handle Feedback Thoughtfully

Feedback can be one of the most valuable, and most sensitive, parts of a writer’s group.

Good practices include:

Asking writers what kind of feedback they want

Encouraging “what works” comments alongside suggestions

Limiting the number of people giving critique at once

Allowing writers to decline feedback entirely

Kindness and consent matter more than blunt honesty.

8. Appoint a Moderator (Even if It’s You)

Every group benefits from gentle stewardship.

A moderator helps:

Keep discussions on track

Reinforce group values

Address issues early and calmly

Protect vulnerable members

Moderation is not control — it is care.

9. Let the Group Grow Slowly (or Not at All)

Bigger is not always better.

Many successful writer’s groups remain:

Small

Invitation-only

Purposefully quiet

Depth of connection matters far more than numbers.

10. Remember Why You Started

An online writer’s group should make writing feel less lonely, not more stressful.

If the group:

Supports creativity

Encourages consistency

Builds confidence

Respects boundaries

Then it is doing its job.

Final Thoughts: Community Is a Creative Tool

Writing may be solitary, but writers do not have to be alone.

A well-run online writer’s group can be a place where ideas grow, confidence strengthens, and creativity feels shared rather than strained.

Start small. Stay kind. Keep it human.

How Neurodivergent Writers Can Succeed (Without Trying to Write Like Everyone Else)

For generations, the writing world quietly rewarded one narrow way of thinking: linear, deadline-driven, highly structured, and relentlessly consistent. 

Yet many of the most original, insightful, and influential writers think very differently.

Neurodivergent writers, including those with ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, OCD, and other neurological differences, often bring extraordinary strengths to the page. 

Pattern recognition, intense focus, creativity, empathy, lateral thinking, and original voice can all be powerful assets in writing.

Success, however, rarely comes from forcing yourself to work like a neurotypical writer. It comes from understanding how your brain works and building a writing life around that reality.

1. Stop Trying to “Fix” Your Brain

One of the biggest barriers neurodivergent writers face is internalised pressure to work “properly”.

You may have been told you are:

Too slow

Too scattered

Too obsessive

Too inconsistent

Too sensitive

In reality, your brain is not broken — it's just differently wired.

Many successful neurodivergent writers thrive precisely because they:

Hyperfocus deeply on subjects others skim

Notice details others miss

Make unexpected connections

Write with emotional honesty and intensity

The goal is not to erase your traits, but to use them intentionally.

2. Build Systems That Support Your Brain (Not Fight It)

Traditional writing advice often fails neurodivergent people because it assumes consistent energy, attention, and motivation.

Instead, try:

Flexible routines rather than rigid schedules

Task batching (research days, writing days, editing days)

Visual planning tools like mind maps, colour-coded notes, or kanban boards

Voice notes or dictation if typing blocks your flow

If you work best in short bursts, write in short bursts. If you hyperfocus for hours, plan recovery time afterwards.

Productivity is personal — not moral.

3. Play to Your Strengths

Neurodivergence often brings specific writing advantages:

ADHD writers may excel at idea generation, fast drafting, humour, and conversational tone

Autistic writers often shine in research-heavy work, world-building, consistency, and technical clarity

Dyslexic writers frequently produce strong storytelling, emotional resonance, and big-picture thinking

Identify what comes naturally and lean into it.

You can always outsource, automate, or delay the parts you find hardest — editing tools, grammar software, proof-readers, and AI assistants can be genuine accessibility aids rather than “cheats”.

4. Redefine What “Consistency” Looks Like

Many neurodivergent writers struggle with the idea that success requires writing every day.

It doesn’t.

Consistency can mean:

Publishing weekly, fortnightly, or seasonally

Writing intensively, then resting

Producing work in themed series rather than scattered posts

What matters is sustainability, not daily output.

Burnout does not make you a better writer.

5. Create Boundaries Around Energy, Not Just Time

Neurodivergent burnout is real and often arrives quietly.

Protect your writing life by:

Saying no to projects that drain you disproportionately

Allowing recovery days after heavy cognitive work

Limiting sensory overload (noise, notifications, multitasking)

Writing success is a marathon, not a sprint — and pacing yourself is a professional skill.

6. Find Community (or Create Your Own)

Writing can be isolating, and neurodivergent writers often feel they don’t quite fit in traditional spaces.

Look for:

Neurodivergent-friendly writing groups

Online communities that value openness and flexibility

Collaborators who respect different working styles

You are not alone, and you are certainly not the only one writing this way.

7. Own Your Voice

Perhaps the most important truth of all:

The world needs voices that do not sound the same.

Neurodivergent writers often bring honesty, depth, originality, and insight that cannot be replicated by formulaic writing.

Your difference is not a disadvantage.

It is your competitive edge.

Success does not come from becoming someone else, it comes from writing as yourself, unapologetically, and building a writing life that works with your brain, not against it.

I have worked as a journalist and writer with dyslexia, dyspraxia and OCD for over 30 years, so I have decided to share these ideas with fellow writers. After all, that's why I started Be That Writer to help people be the writer that they want to be.