sensitivity readers
Authenticity review specialists
Sensitivity readers are people hired to review manuscripts for potentially offensive, inaccurate, or stereotypical portrayals of marginalized groups.
Publishers use them to flag content that might alienate or harm readers from those communities—checking, for instance, whether a novel's disabled character relies on tired tropes.
The practice is controversial: supporters see it as due diligence; critics call it censorship or excessive caution.
The author hired a sensitivity reader to review her depiction of Indigenous characters.
- consultantProfessional advice provider
- reviewerOne who assesses work
- beta readersEarly manuscript reviewers
- empathySharing another's emotions
- publishingDistributing written works publicly
publishing industry · inclusivity · cultural competence · diversity · authenticity · social justice · manuscripts · representation · marginalization · understanding · perceptiveness · blind spots · intersectionality · awareness · diverse perspectives · editors · harm reduction · trigger warnings
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