Overcoming Obstacles: 5 Struggles Emerging Talent Face in Publishing

At Last Gen Publishing, we have made it our mission to champion the work of emerging talent who are undervalued, overlooked by, or do not have resources to access the commercial publishing world. We recognize the immense talent outside the mainstream and strive to provide a platform for those artists to shine. In this blog post, we will explore five struggles emerging talent often face when trying to get their creative work into the hands of their readers.

Limited Resources and Finances

One of the biggest hurdles for emerging talent is the limited availability of resources and financial constraints. Many artists find it challenging to invest in professional editing, cover design, marketing, and distribution. Self-funding your creative projects can be overwhelming and may hinder your ability to present your work in the best possible light. At Last Gen Publishing, we understand these challenges and aim to provide affordable resources and support to help emerging talent bring their visions to life.

Lack of Industry Connections

Establishing connections within the publishing industry can be daunting for emerging talent. Without the right network, it becomes difficult to navigate the complex publishing landscape. Industry connections play a crucial role in securing opportunities, finding mentors, and receiving guidance. Last Gen Publishing recognizes the importance of networking and collaboration and strives to bridge this gap by providing platforms for emerging talent to connect with industry professionals and fellow artists.

Limited Visibility and Marketing Reach

In a saturated market dominated by established authors and mainstream publishers, emerging talent often struggles to gain visibility and reach their target audience. Securing media coverage, book reviews, online traction, and shelf space in physical stores can be an uphill battle. At Last Gen Publishing, we are dedicated to amplifying the visibility of emerging talent through strategic marketing and promotional efforts. We believe that every voice deserves to be heard and work tirelessly to connect emerging artists with their readers.

Rejection and Discouragement

Rejection and criticism are unfortunate realities emerging talent may face along the way. Constant setbacks can take an emotional toll and lead to discouragement. Resiliency is critical to overcoming these challenges — but how do you remain positive when mainstream gatekeepers are telling you no? Last Gen Publishing provides high-touch support from start to finish, so you’ll never be alone throughout the process; but support from friends, family, and colleagues is equally invaluable. Last Gen Publishing merely serves as an extension of the support systems that have gotten you to this point — we provide a supportive environment where artists can find encouragement and motivation, affirm the power of perseverance, and help you to understand that every rejection is an opportunity to grow and refine your craft.

Lack of Access to Publishing Opportunities

The traditional publishing world often presents barriers to emerging talent. Strict gatekeeping mechanisms — emphasizing market trends or genre preferences — can limit access to publishing opportunities. At Last Gen Publishing, we aim to democratize the publishing process. We provide equal opportunities for all deserving artists, focusing on the merit of their work rather than conforming to predetermined industry norms. We believe in nurturing diverse voices and creating a literary landscape that reflects the richness of our human experiences.

The struggles emerging talent faces in getting their creative work into the hands of readers are significant but not insurmountable. We are committed to supporting and championing you, the artists, by ensuring that your voice is heard and your stories are shared without dilution. We encourage readers to explore and support emerging talent — inspiring a new generation of innovators, trailblazers, and visionaries helping to shape the future of literature along the way. 

Together, let’s celebrate the power of creativity and create a more inclusive and vibrant literary world. Whether you are a creative, reader, future customer or client, or simply a positive person who wants to make a difference — we would like to welcome you to the Last Gen Publishing family.