Reflecting the diversity of the world in our books is vitally important. But the further we venture from our own lived experience, the more likely it is that we will need to check in with someone who knows more than we do about that experience.
That’s what a sensitivity reader (or “authenticity reader”) is for. Sensitivity readers are a kind of editor; we look at what you’ve written, but instead of correcting your grammar or recommending that the love interest have a bit more of a backstory, we provide feedback on the representation of characters who are within our own marginalization. Anyone who hires a sensitivity reader is well-meaning (it’s a great thing to do!), but even the most well-meaning of us can get things wrong. Having a sensitivity reader look at our work is a way to avoid the kind of bad representation that helped give us our incorrect ideas in the first place.
And unfortunately, deaf representation is especially abysmal, and has planted a whole lot of incorrect ideas. It’s overwhelmingly created by hearing people who, unfortunately, don’t know what they’re talking about! This means that sensitivity reading is especially important, as hearing writers are far more likely to form opinions about the deaf experience based on the ample inauthentic representation out there than from meaningful interactions with real deaf people. So then those misconceptions find their way into their own writing.
I can point out what the misconceptions are, and offer suggestions for how to fix them. Many of my clients have been motivated by harm mitigation, and have been surprised to find that making their deaf characters more authentic lifts the story overall!
I have been offering sensitivity reading services since 2017. I’ve worked with all of the major publishers, with people who don’t even have an agent yet, with journalists, with video game developers, and more. No matter who has created a work or how I come across it, I give it the same careful attention.
The main areas I do sensitivity readings for are deafness and sign language usage. (This does not have to be ASL – it’s not uncommon to read for a fantasy novel that includes an invented sign language.) I will also address assistive technology like cochlear implants and hearing aids, and hearing loss generally (related to but a little different from “deafness”). I am also willing to read for general disability representation, but ask that if so, you also get a sensitivity reader who has lived experience with that specific disability. For example, if one of your characters uses a wheelchair, then I am willing to address some big-picture elements of disability, but I won’t be able to provide feedback on the authenticity of that representation per se.
Contact me for rates. I accept payment via Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, Apple Pay, direct deposit (mostly limited to major publishers), and more.
Upon receipt of your work I will usually have a thorough report to you within three weeks, depending on length and content. (A single graphic will obviously take less time than an epic fantasy novel!) I can usually expedite that if needed for a fee. There may be exceptions based on workload; I will let you know during our initial correspondence.
What People Say
Jenna’s honest and straightforward feedback was clear, concise, and helped me understand issues I wouldn’t have known on my own. I’m forever grateful for her notes!
Kacen Callender
Author, FELIX EVER AFTER
We were so lucky to have been able to work with Jenna! Her prompt responses, keen insight, and thoughtful, specific suggestions were incredibly instrumental and invaluable to us throughout revisions.
Kate Metzler
Editor at Roaring Books Press
Let’s make representation better!
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