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Sensitivity/Authenticity Reading - $.009 per word

$0.00

Sensitivity and Authenticity Reading is best done either before or after Line Editing, before your ARC copies are sent, and before additional copyediting, formatting, or proofreading.

Sensitivity and Authenticity Readers are responsible for reviewing works that feature characters, themes, or perspectives from a given group that the author is not a part of. These readers look at the way a character is portrayed, spoken about, or behaves that may misrepresent or offend readers or members of that group through stereotyping or other forms of bias. A sensitivity and authenticity reader should be from the group in question—while acknowledging that no one is a monolith of any group to which they belong—and I recommend getting more than one opinion. As a sensitivity and authenticity reader, I read with an eye toward stereotyping, harmful tropes, outdated phrasing, and tokenism. I aim to be thorough in how these issues come across in your writing and why they are harmful or problematic. My goal is always to give you the tools needed to improve representation in all your works, not just this one.

Characters I read for include:

  • AFAB, nonbinary characters

  • Lesbian, WLW, and sapphic characters

  • Bisexual and pansexual characters

  • LGBTQ+ characters in small, rural, midwestern towns

  • Other LGBTQ+ characters (though I recommend finding a reader who aligns as closely as possible)

  • Children of military service members (though I am not qualified to read on trauma related to POW/MIA/KIA parents)

  • Domestic abuse survivors and victims

Sensitivity and Authenticity Reading is best done either before or after Line Editing, before your ARC copies are sent, and before additional copyediting, formatting, or proofreading.

Sensitivity and Authenticity Readers are responsible for reviewing works that feature characters, themes, or perspectives from a given group that the author is not a part of. These readers look at the way a character is portrayed, spoken about, or behaves that may misrepresent or offend readers or members of that group through stereotyping or other forms of bias. A sensitivity and authenticity reader should be from the group in question—while acknowledging that no one is a monolith of any group to which they belong—and I recommend getting more than one opinion. As a sensitivity and authenticity reader, I read with an eye toward stereotyping, harmful tropes, outdated phrasing, and tokenism. I aim to be thorough in how these issues come across in your writing and why they are harmful or problematic. My goal is always to give you the tools needed to improve representation in all your works, not just this one.

Characters I read for include:

  • AFAB, nonbinary characters

  • Lesbian, WLW, and sapphic characters

  • Bisexual and pansexual characters

  • LGBTQ+ characters in small, rural, midwestern towns

  • Other LGBTQ+ characters (though I recommend finding a reader who aligns as closely as possible)

  • Children of military service members (though I am not qualified to read on trauma related to POW/MIA/KIA parents)

  • Domestic abuse survivors and victims

With this read, you’ll get:

  • Margin notes with

    • My reactions to the characters in question

    • How they are treated by other characters

    • How they are treated by the narrative

  • A separate report including

    • What I appreciate about the representation

    • What can be improved

    • An explanation of why any tropes, phrasing, or representation which may be harmful

Sensitivity/Authenticity Reading requires a very vulnerable mindset. The turnaround time is about 2-3 weeks, depending on my queue and backlog. Heavier, darker, and more graphic material may take longer. I recognize the value and realism of uncomfortable and unpleasant stories as much as the cozy ones. Please bring a broad summary to your consultation or email admin@behindthemagic.net.