‘Do I Need a Sensitivity Reader?’ The Importance of Authenticity Editing

You might be wondering if you’re going to need an authenticity editor for your novel, particularly if you’re writing characters outside of your own lived experience or culture. Sensitivity reading, or authenticity reading, is a hot topic in publishing, and something many writers ask us about at The Novelry. 

The role of an authenticity editor is essentially a combination of fact-checker and editor, and this week, we’re fortunate to have expert editor Mireille Harper on the blog to discuss the importance of authenticity editing. An editorial director of Tonic at Bloomsbury and an author herself, Mireille hosted a live writing class for writers at The Novelry about authenticity editing in fiction (sometimes known outside of the publishing industry as ‘sensitivity reading’), and we’re pleased to share her insights here.

Mireille discusses how and why sensitivity reading features in the novel writing process, how unconscious bias can lead writers down the wrong path, and why the emotional labor undertaken by sensitivity readers and editors is so crucial to creating stories for all readers, especially those from marginalized groups. We’ll look at examples of when and where some specialist knowledge and advice might be helpful in improving your story and characterization to help you write diversely.

With thanks to Mireille for sharing her experience.

What is sensitivity reading?

In recent years, the role of the authenticity editor, otherwise known as a sensitivity reader or authenticity reader, has come under scrutiny. Branded as publishing’s ‘imagination police’ by the press, as well as some well-known authors, it appears there is still distrust and confusion about what an authenticity editor does, and how they add to the value of the publishing process.

As a writer, perhaps you’ve thought about working with an authenticity editor or hiring a sensitivity reader for your own story. Maybe you’re thinking of writing about a community or experience outside of your own lived experience, and you’re cautious about how to approach this. Or perhaps you’re struggling with how you’ve presented a character, and what bias you might be bringing to the page.

Whether you’re afraid of clichés, tropes and stereotypes, or you simply want to be intentional about presenting your characters and their experiences with authenticity, it can be beneficial to work with an authenticity editor to allay any worries and concerns. Learning how to authentically edit your own work is also a key skill.

As a professional authenticity editor, I have worked with publishing houses, authors and organisations for over five years to ensure manuscripts, books and other materials are both accurate and culturally respectful. In this article, we’ll get into:

• What an authenticity editor is
• What to consider as a writer
• How to consider sensitivity and authenticity
• The common pitfalls when writing outside of your lived experience/community

Are authenticity readers and editors the same as sensitivity readers?

Let’s get into the meat and bones of it all: just what is an authenticity editor?

The role of an authenticity editor, put simply, is essentially a combination of fact-checker and editor. The job of such professionals is to review written and visual materials, to assess how cultures, identities and experiences—typically those from communities and groups who have been historically and/or are currently marginalised, oppressed and/or underrepresented—are portrayed in said materials.

Whilst the role typically applies to books and literature, authenticity editors also assess film and television scripts, educational materials (such as programmes), visual media, exhibition materials and more.

When reviewing these materials in order to provide feedback, the authenticity editor’s role involves identifying elements that may be:

• Inaccurate
• Offensive
• Irrelevant
• Rooted in bias (whether unconscious or conscious)
• Based on clichés, stereotypes or tropes that could cause harm or offence
• Contributing to the wider misrepresentation or marginalisation of said group

Once the reader has identified any of these things, they will typically outline the issue, giving an explanation and context around this, as well as offering guidance and constructive feedback on how to address it—typically by removing, revising or reframing this content while still working to preserve the writer’s intent. Ultimately, their role is to ensure that the depiction of the communities/experiences remains respectful.

How writers can apply sensitivity reading to their work

Whilst an authenticity editor can add much value to the process, there are steps that writers can take to consider sensitivity and authenticity in their work themselves.

1. Start with why

The first thing I invite all writers to do (even those who are writing on their lived experience or community) is to start with why. Think about your intention with this book. Why do you want to write from or cover this perspective? This will help to inform some of the bias you might be bringing to the process, and allow for not only self-awareness, but also an opportunity to seek out differing perspectives that will allow for nuance as you approach your writing.

2. What unconscious bias might you have?

Think about who you are when you’re writing. With the first point in mind, consider the general attitudes and even misconceptions you might have, and how those might impact how you present a character, or speak on a lived experience, or depict a community.

3. Research and prepare

With those two thoughts in mind, the next step is to research and prepare yourself accordingly. Often, we think of the former, but not the latter—but both are necessary.

When it comes to research, use a range of references (from films and documentaries to podcasts, archival material, and even undertaking primary research). Read widely, consider the context of the research you’re using, and discuss your research with someone who might challenge, critique or question you.

Preparing yourself accordingly is equally important. If you’re concerned that the materials you’re researching might still reinforce a bias, think about how you can be curious and critical throughout. Don’t be afraid to reach out to specific communities (and consider how you might do this in a way that is not exploitative) to gain better insight and more context.

Don’t hesitate to also look into common tropes, stereotypes or clichés for the lived experiences or communities you’re writing about too, or within your genre more widely—this might help to address some issues preemptively.

4. Read and then reread

Reading and rereading your work is vital for all readers at all stages of the process. They say you notice something new about your writing each time you read, so don’t hesitate to familiarise yourself again with your writing. Maybe something new will show up for you, or you might identify a red flag that you didn’t pick up on before.

Consider referring to your wider community of beta readers to get feedback (if you have these), and have different readers review your work at varying stages, to see what some might pick up on, and what others may not.

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Sensitive topics require care and consideration 

These nuggets of advice aren’t just for writers who are writing on a lived experience or a community that they aren’t familiar with. They are also a worthwhile consideration for those who might actually be depicting a lived experience or community they themselves are familiar with, or might even have personal experience of.

As a non-fiction editor in the wellbeing space, many of my authors write on a topic first-hand: mental health, neurodivergence, parenthood, illness, and even grief. These are all sensitive topics that require care and consideration. I invite my authors to consider their single experience, but to also speak to those in their community to make sure they aren’t writing in a way that presents their individual experience as fact.

Blind spots and offensive content: examples of what to look for

I don’t know what to look for?! I hear you ask. This is to be expected, and don’t be too hard on yourself. It takes time to develop an authenticity editor’s eye, and it’s tricky when you’re so close to the material.

With this in mind, here are some of the top pitfalls and common mistakes I see writers making:

1. Falling into stereotypes and clichés. Consider looking online at common stereotypes when it comes to the experiences and communities you’re writing about.
2. Overfocusing in a way that restricts the character’s humanness. This can include excessively repeating habits, saying words/phrases, or the writer overly focusing on the character’s appearance.
3. Not focusing on the character enough. Lack of presence: visual, verbal or otherwise, for example.
4. Making assumptions based on a specific rhetoric/single lens. For instance, writing on Caribbean history but only using references.
5. Not doing enough extensive research or immersing yourself. I always refer to the brilliant folklorist and writer, Zora Neale Hurston, who once sold hot dogs in a Washington park just to record accurately how the Black people who bought them talked (as a Black American woman herself!). Think about how you are delving into the experience and community of those you’re writing about (and how you do this with intentionality and care).
6. Painting a character as extremely one-dimensional. Often done out of fear or concern, examples of this include neutral opinions on everything, no likes or dislikes, and no strong personality. This can be tricky to overcome, so here are some little suggestions I recommend that can really help you flesh out your character:

• Think about the character’s everyday routine.
• What do they eat and when?
• What route do they take to work?
• What do they think about on their commute?
• How do they show up when they’re irritable?
• How do they show up in their friendships versus family settings versus with their partner(s)?

Intent versus impact

Approaching your work with this level of interrogation, but also intention, will help you understand how you can edit your work authentically. Remembering the four key steps above will help you to have a framework for approaching how you do this, and remaining curious, critical and open throughout will give you the mindset you need during the writing process.

The most important thing to remember is intent versus impact. Note that what you intend to say may not be what the reader hears or thinks, and you should consider how a reader with the lived experience, or from the community you’re writing on, might not just perceive, but also feel those words.

As writers, we have to remind ourselves that empathy and sensitivity are just as important as creativity and impact, and by adopting an authenticity editor’s mindset, you can achieve both.

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