Sensitivity Reader: 4 Reasons to Work With a Sensitivity Reader

A sensitivity reader is someone who reads a book before it is complete and looks for cultural representation problems, biases, stereotypes, tropes, and language that a reader could consider problematic. Sensitivity readers are types of beta readers, which means publishers and authors include them as early readers in the book publishing process.

A sensitivity reader is not a copy editor; their job is not to check for grammar or fact-check but to find issues with misrepresentation and other inaccuracies during a sensitivity read. At the conclusion of their sensitivity review, do not expect them to provide comments about grammatical or spelling issues but instead to comment about the characters and their interactions.

If your book contains a person or character with a background, religion, ethnicity, sexual preference, aspect of mental health (or mental illness), or race that is different from your own, you may want to work with a sensitivity reader for the following reasons:

1. 1. To ensure your storylines are plausible: Whether you’re writing fiction or nonfiction, if your project depicts someone with a lived experience other than your own, you might want to ensure everything you’ve described is plausible.
2. 2. To display sensitivity: You run a risk of being insensitive or even offending your reader if you include language that some people might find insulting or demeaning. This could happen if your work comments on an experience you haven’t personally lived.
3. 3. To clarify your intentions: No matter how well-intentioned a writer is, they could include language or a situation in their work that is problematic—for example, a characterization that depicts a marginalized group inaccurately or a passage that’s triggering for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A sensitivity reader points out instances like these so that content creators have the opportunity to correct them before the book goes to print.
4. 4. To ensure the information you present is accurate: Those with personal experiences different from yours might point out statements you’ve included that don’t ring true, are false, or present an alternate set of facts that are not fairly inclusive to others.

Sensitivity reading is a unique skill and not everyone will excel in this role. Ask members of the publishing or writing community for recommendations or search for one online who specializes in your particular subject matter. Here are three qualities to consider in a sensitivity reader:

1. 1. Clear communication skills: Sensitivity readers should not only adeptly identify problematic problematic areas in your writing, but they should also proficiently communicate the nuances of the problems. For example, if you have written a young adult novel containing a character that doesn’t share your background, a good sensitivity reader should not only clearly communicate any passages where the character is portrayed in a negative or misrepresented light but also suggest how you can handle the matter with greater sensitivity.
2. 2. Experience in the genre: A sensitivity reader with experience in the genre you’re writing in is preferable but isn’t a requirement. Veteran sensitivity readers will usually note which genres or types of manuscripts they prefer to read, for example, children’s books, non-fiction, historical fiction, middle-grade fiction, or anything else in the publishing industry.
3. 3. Relevant lived experience: Try to find a sensitivity reader whose own experiences match those of your main characters or subjects. For example, if your book includes a person who belongs to the LGBTQ community even though you do not, engaging a sensitivity reader who identifies as belonging to the LGBTQ community could help you identify potential issues with the book.

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