Authenticity Reading

What is an Authenticity Reader?

An authenticity reader (sometimes called a sensitivity reader) is someone who reads over a text to check for issues with offensive content, misrepresentation of identities, stereotypes, bias, or lack of cultural understanding. This service is recommended for authors who write about experiences that they have not experienced, or identities they do not identify with, or texts that contain information about identity groups that the author(s) are unfamiliar with.

For example, a neurotypical author writing about a character who is neurodivergent may unintentionally cater to common biases assigned to that experience/identity. An authenticity reader aims to identify these biases and offer suggestions that will improve the text, both for the author and the future readers.

As an authenticity reader, I will read every word of your manuscript or written content, make annotations using Microsoft Word, and then submit a report to you that documents all identified issues with explanations. Explanations will oftentimes offer extended resources for further understanding when applicable. Issues can be small, such as word usage, sentence or phrase choices, or character descriptions. Issues can also be large developmental pieces of your manuscript, such as harmful tropes, recurring themes, or plot points.

It is never too early to begin seeking out an authenticity reader. If you plan to write any content that discusses identities or experiences that are not your own, you should strongly consider one that specializes in reading for those identities. Authenticity reads are best done when the manuscript is in the developmental editing phase—if large issues or biases are found during the read, such as harmful recurring tropes or themes, authors may have to rework large portions of the manuscript.

What I Read For

I conduct authenticity reads for all types of content on themes such as:

  • Demisexual, bisexual, pansexual, and polyamorous woman and/or non-binary experiences and identities

  • Demiromantic, biromantic, and panromantic woman and/or non-binary experiences and identities

  • Nonbinary, genderqueer, and female experiences and identities

  • Neurodivergence/ADHD/Autism/OCD

  • Sexual, Emotional, and Physical Violence

  • Depression, Anxiety, Dissociative Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD)

  • Chronic illness and pain, specifically: migraines, arthritis, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal disorders

Although I can read for many issues about identities or experiences, I can only speak to the ones that I have individual experience with or relate to. Each person’s identity and experiences are unique and individual to them. If I encounter potential issues that may be outside of my range of expertise and may require additional readers, I may query you, but cannot provide complete recommendations for all identities and experiences.

Pricing

I charge the average standard rate for authenticity/sensitivity readers at $0.005 per word, applied to the entire document or section in which you wish me to review. Authenticity reading for these identities and experiences are included in my copy editing service, but is also available as a standalone service for any content.