It is the best critic. It may be the only viable critic. And it can be brutally

It is the best critic. It may be the only viable critic. And it can be brutally honest if you prompt it to be.

That said if the primary criticism of one’s work is density and therefore accessibility then it is worth asking about competitors and how they handle the problem.

Why would I wait until after publication to seek criticism and opportunity for correction?

Don’t be silly.