What Are ‘Sensitivity Readers’? And Why Do They Matter?
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The most common writing advice offered to aspiring authors is to “write what you know.” That could mean writing directly about your lived experiences (i.e., a memoir), or relating a personal story within a fictional one, applying your thoughts and emotions in a new context (i.e., in science fiction or historical fiction).
When you’re writing about something outside of your own experiences, it’s important to thoroughly understand and consider the impression your approach communicates. To help you in the process of developing an authentic and considerate representation of another’s perspective, you might consider the services of a sensitivity reader.
Sensitivity readers aren’t just there to point out anything they find to be insensitive about your manuscript, but also to engage in the revision process to improve your book’s tone, direction, and appearance.
We’ve enlisted the expertise of our very own in-house Editing Coordinator Astra Crompton to further elucidate on how some authors can benefit from the assistance of sensitivity readers:
FriesenPress (FP): What are sensitivity readers? Why do they matter?
Astra Crompton (AC): Sensitivity readers are readers (sometimes paid and sometimes volunteer) with first-hand knowledge of various cultural, religious, refugee or diaspora, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other lived experiences. They read manuscripts from their viewpoint to ensure the content is accurate, appropriate, and not perpetuating harm towards the group(s) depicted.
They are important because no amount of research can prepare a writer to understand the lived experience of a member of a minority group, their challenges, beliefs, and perspectives on the world around them. Even well-meaning writers can sometimes perpetuate harmful stereotypes, damaging narratives, or sensationalized depictions of these groups; doing so can alienate readers, lead to poor reviews, and sometimes even lead to a book being pulled by the publisher or distributor. Sensitivity readers can flag these areas before the book goes ahead to print, offering suggestions or recommended research, and ensure that the group(s) are given fair depictions.
FP: What is the typical process of working with a sensitivity reader?
AC: You'll need a finished manuscript. Usually it’s a good idea to include a synopsis, any potential trigger warnings, and what parts you’re specifically looking for advice on. If the representation in the work is limited to a single side character, the sections for review may be limited; if the full work deals with themes, cultures, etc., the full book may need review. The length of time this review takes will vary depending on the amount that needs review and the sensitivity reader’s schedule. They will typically respond with a letter outlining their general impressions, areas to review or revise, and suggestions; or they may flag specific passages with Comments in the document.
FP: What makes a good sensitivity reader? And what qualifies them as such?
AC: A good sensitivity reader is able to remain objective when faced with content that is potentially problematic, giving fair and productive advice for how the manuscript could be mended. By living their life as they have, they can weigh in on how they felt about certain experiences, cultural practices they follow (and the whys and beliefs surrounding them), the challenges they face on a daily basis, dangers to them that may not exist for another group, and so on. They are, in essence, a living library of their own experiences. By applying that insight into reading objectively, they can see how “true” the story plays out on the page.
FP: What are some misconceptions about sensitivity readers?
AC: Sensitivity readers can only give one perspective. What may be acceptable to one may still be upsetting to another member of their community, so getting a sensitivity reader’s review is not a free pass to deny the possibility that someone still might be offended. It’s also not appropriate to argue with a sensitivity reader on why they’re wrong about how they feel or to try to defend what you were “trying to do” with the text. They may offer suggestions, but it’s still up to you to listen and rework your text as needed.
Professional editing reduces distractions that diminish your book's readability, such as convoluted content structure, incorrect grammar, and persistent typos. From developmental editing to proofreading, our vetted editing team will match you with the editorial services you need to create the best book possible.
FP: How does a sensitivity reader differ from a beta reader?
AC: Beta readers are generally gauging the “enjoyment” factor of your book. Are they getting the emotional beats out of the story they were meant to get, does the pacing work, and so on. Sensitivity readers are not commenting on craft, they”re merely looking at the depictions of their community to see if they are handled well in terms of sympathy and accuracy, and that the themes are relevant. Are these elements integral to the plot? Should they be? Why or why not? Even if writing from a historical perspective, our readers will be modern and the book should be sensitive to that fact. Keep in mind that the majority of reference books out there that an author may have used for their research were told from the perspective of the victor, and so may not be depicting minority groups accurately. In our modern age, we have the opportunity to listen to minority groups directly. By doing so, we improve the veracity—and broaden the appeal—of our narratives.
FP: What types of things might be flagged?
AC: While no single sensitivity reader can speak for all experiences within their group, they will likely flag things that are inaccurate, triggering to the group, perpetuating fear mongering against said group, or that sensationalize that group’s experiences for an external gaze. What does that look like? It could be flagging mocking portrayals of accents in dialogue, sexist “prop” characters who serve only the whims of the protagonist, using racist slurs, harmful tropes, or wrong pronouns. It will vary depending on the subject matter, but the sensitivity reader’s goal is to ensure each character, whether a protagonist or antagonist, is given a fair and humanized portrayal.
FP: What happens if the sensitivity reader discovers some problematic aspects within the text?
AC: Sometimes there are so many problematic elements in a text that the recommendation they might have is: this story is inappropriate and I don’t recommend you proceed with publishing it. A great example was the recent The Madness Blooms by Mackenzi Lee. This book had several troubling aspects, from misgendering the protagonist, perpetuating violent stereotypes, traumatic tropes regarding violence and humiliation, and a narrative of struggle and ultimately failure due to the protagonist’s identity. The author and publisher decided the manuscript could not be sufficiently revised and the book was pulled from publication. This decision was met with relief and appreciation by the community depicted and prevented further backlash against the author.
If you remain polite and open, sensitivity readers may be willing to have a deeper conversation as to the “why” behind their feedback; they may even provide resources or education so that the author can learn and improve. However, be respectful of their time, boundaries, and privacy. While this content may just feel like fact or fiction for the author, it’s a personal experience for the sensitivity reader. They are inviting you into their worldview to aid you in writing a better book, so be professional and respectful. After all, you both have the same end goal: for your book to be well received by its audience.
