What to Know to Become an Authenticity (Sensitivity) Reader
Authenticity reading, also called sensitivity reading, is a valuable part of the publishing process. Authenticity readers evaluate the representation of identities or experiences in writing, often when an author is writing outside of their identities. For more details about what it is and why it’s important, check out my “Sensitivity Reading 101” blog post for an in-depth look. If you’re passionate about evaluating writing related to your lived experiences or identities, you might want to consider becoming an authenticity reader yourself. Let’s take a look at some of the key aspects to consider before you do.
Making preliminary decisions
Before you jump right into calling yourself an authenticity reader, there are some elements to think about first.
Topics
One of the first decisions you have to make is what topics you’ll read for. What social identities do you have that writers might hire you to evaluate (age, race, sexual orientation, gender, disability, etc.)? What unique experiences have you had? Think about the representation that’s made you happy because it’s written well and the representation that’s made you angry because it’s inaccurate or harmful based on what you know. That might be a cue that tells you what representation you’re passionate about.
Training
There’s no formal training that qualifies you to become an authenticity reader. However, resources such as this booklet from the Editorial Freelancers Association provide information on what you need to know to offer this service. Before I started offering authenticity reading, I also looked for articles and discussions about it—both the good and the bad—especially from the perspectives of authenticity readers.
Pricing
There are no standard prices for what authenticity reading costs, so you’ll have to figure out what to charge. I’ve seen fees from $0.005 to $0.02 per word (half a cent to two cents per word). You likely won’t be directly changing the writing but will be leaving feedback instead. There is often emotional labor involved in authenticity reading, and you may be reading text that is harmful or even traumatizing. You’re also being asked to assess writing as a subject-matter expert that the writer is turning to. You should charge for that value.
Your limits
Know what you are and aren’t willing to read. Authenticity readers usually assess topics related to personal identity or lived experience, and there’s a chance that the writing might include representations of hate, bias, microaggressions, or past traumas. If there are specific topics you won’t read, screen potential inquiries for this type of content before you agree to take on a project. Set boundaries and take care of yourself, especially when you’re being asked to approach this from a place of vulnerability.
Doing the job
Once you’ve worked through these early considerations, you have to be ready to do the job. You’re being asked to use your knowledge to provide feedback to the client, but what does that actually look like? Every authenticity reader has their own process, but these are my steps for each project:
Set expectations from the start.
In my “Sensitivity Reading 101” blog post, I outlined some popular misconceptions about authenticity reading. In the proposals I send to potential clients, I dispel these myths because I want the client to know what to expect from authenticity reading—and what not to.
Clarify if there are specifics the client wants you to pay attention to.
Some clients will want a general read, whereas others have certain things they’re concerned about. I check if there are specific areas the client wants me to focus on, such as whether a character is stereotyped, if an experience is accurate, or whether terminology is correct.
Read the manuscript.
I read through the manuscript and make notes of what the client has done well and what they might want to reconsider.
Leave comments in the manuscript.
As I’m reading, I leave comments in the manuscript about my impressions and about specific elements of the writing. I’ll write a comment if a term is incorrect, if characterization is problematic, or if I have a positive or negative response to something specific.
Write a summary of my feedback.
I turn my notes on the manuscript into a report. Because I mainly work on fiction, my report is usually divided into sections on plot, characterization, behaviors and dialogue, cultural elements and settings, and conscious language. If there are resources that reinforce my feedback, I’ll share those as well.
Answer the client’s questions and concerns.
Once I deliver my comments and my authenticity reading report, I’ll answer any questions or concerns the client has. This is usually through email, but it can be through a phone or video call if requested.
Finding clients
Once you’re feeling ready to call yourself an authenticity reader, it’s time to find clients. There are many ways to reach potential clients, and these are some ideas to try:
Business website
If you have a website, add authenticity as an offered service. List what topic or topics you evaluate. People often search the internet for authenticity readers, so your website might pop up.
Social media
Talk on social media about how you’re now offering authenticity reading so your followers know. If you’re on Twitter, watch for tweets from people who are looking for readers. You can also join the Binders Full of Sensitivity Readers group on Facebook, which is a group for readers of marginalized genders.
Directories and databases
If you’re an editor of color, join the Editors of Color database and subscribe to the job list. If you’re a professional editor who’s a member of an editing organization, add this service to your directory listing.
Publishers
Publishers and presses sometimes hire authenticity readers and maintain databases of freelancers. You can also contact publishers to let them know you offer this service and what topics you read for.
Final thoughts
Authenticity reading is an important aspect of publishing, and it’s a service anyone can offer. By knowing how to do the job and understanding what’s involved, authenticity readers can help writers avoid doing unintentional harm and to help readers see more authentic representations of themselves and their experiences in writing.
A version of this post was published for the Charted Institute of Editing and Proofreading on October 6, 2021.
