Sensitivity Reading

What is it?

 

Sensitivity reading, also called authenticity reading, is the evaluation of a work based on a specific lived experience. This is useful in cases where an author is writing from the viewpoint of a character that has a different lived experience from themselves (such as a cisgender person writing a transgender character) and is especially important when writing about marginalized identities from outside a direct experience.

 

Sensitivity reading helps to

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• fact check

• identify internalized biases

• identify harmful or overused stereotypes or tropes

• ensure authentic voice

 

Sensitivity reading isn’t intended to censor or restrict. Rather, it’s meant to ensure that a piece of writing is coming from a place of compassion and humanity and to acknowledge that the choices we make and the words we choose can have unintended consequences.

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During a sensitivity read, I’ll be reading your work from the perspective of my own lived experience. I will provide in-text commentary and a written report. I will not be changing any text during this process.

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I offer sensitivity reading for the following white perspectives:

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• trans masculine

• nonbinary

• late transitioning (transitioning as an adult)

• asexual

• social anxiety

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Who is it for?

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Anyone writing for or about the lived experiences of marginalized identities should use a sensitivity reader. This includes authors writing characters with identities or backgrounds that differ from their own, especially when approaching that identity or background from a position of relative privilege.

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How much does it cost?

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Sensitivity readings are $0.015 per word.