5 Things You Should Know About Sensitivity Readers by C. Morgan Kennedy

If you want to create more diverse worlds, move beyond stereotypes to add depth to your characters, or just generally don’t want to ‘screw things up’ when it comes to diversity and inclusion you may want to consider hiring a sensitivity reader.

Here are five things you need to know about sensitivity readers: 

1. It’s NOT just about racial diversity – Authors often associate the need for a sensitivity reader with writing characters and stories from ethnic backgrounds other than their own. Yes, ethnic and racial diversity are where the conversations on inclusion started but the conversation has been expanded to include other abilities, age, sexual orientation, body types, etc. In addition to ethnicity, characters in wheelchairs, on the autism spectrum, battling PTSD, or managing bipolar disorder all deserve the extra insights a sensitivity reader can bring to your work.
2. Sensitivity readers are NOT line editors – Not all sensitivity readers are going to take a red pen to your grammar. (Some do and if they provide this service you should pay them more!) What they will bring is a critical eye to your characters’ actions, reactions, backstory, voice, and all the other attributes of your diverse character. Often their input is more in the ‘story editing’ and / or ‘character development’ categories.
3. You can engage a sensitivity reader at any stage of your writing – Typically an author hires a sensitivity reader when their manuscript is beyond the first draft, but not quite ready for publication. However, as soon as you have words on the page you can work with a sensitivity reader. A sensitivity reader can assist you with your character profiles, backstories, etc. at any stage of your writing process.
4. It is important to be SPECIFIC with regards to the type of sensitivity read you want – If you are writing a story that features a Mexican-American Gulf War veteran who is a multiple amputee with severe PTSD, you may need multiple sensitivity readers. Before you engage a sensitivity reader, you should be clear on their areas of expertise. Some sensitivity readers have multiple areas of expertise. For example, a friend of mine needed (and found) an African-American sensitivity reader with a background in foster care and adoption. (She is a white author and her hero was a black man adopted by a white family.) The input this sensitivity reader provided to her finished work helped to add that extra touch of authenticity to her character and how the his story unfolded on the page.
5. Sensitivity reads are a PAID service, so budget accordingly – as the old saying goes, time is money. Doing a sensitivity read and providing a thorough report on your manuscript more than merits payment. Many sensitivity readers charge a flat rate based on word count, but some may charge by the hour especially if they acting as a consultant during the early stages of your writing. Again, be clear on what fees are associated with the work you want done. Now…that being said, payment can take many forms...swapping or bartering skills is also common. Again – it goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway – be clear on what you want and how you are going to compensate your reader for their time. 

Need help finding a sensitivity reader?

• Your first stop should be your fellow authors. Reach out to your writing friends and ask them for a recommendation.
• Reach out to community centers, local nonprofit organizations, the various online chapters of RWA (Romance Writers of America), or friends and family.
• Join online organizations like the Facebook group Writers for Diversity. (Writers for Diversity strives to create a safe place for questions and dialog for all authors seeking to create diverse worlds.)

AUTHOR AND SENSITIVITY READER
C. MORGAN KENNEDY

C. Morgan Kennedy is an author of young adult alternative history adventures and contemporary interracial romance. She has done sensitivity reads for authors looking for insights on African-American and characters of African descent during the Victorian Era and modern day time periods.

Night Owl Reviews’ – The Melting Pot by C. Morgan Kennedy

Highlighting Diverse Books 

Let me begin by thanking the ladies at Romancing the Genres for asking me to guest post about my book review column. I am incredibly thankful for this opportunity to discuss a topic near and dear to my heart: DIVERSITY.

Two years ago, I had lunch with Tammie King – the tour de force behind Night Owl Reviews. At some point during lunch, she asked me if I would like to take over the diversity column for her free monthly e-magazine. The original column was focused on diverse romance and was almost exclusively African-American-centric romance – which was fabulous. My only ‘problem’ was that, even though I am a romance author working towards publication, my taste in books extended beyond romance.

Tammie and I had some conversations about how I wanted to expand the scope of the column, change the name, and focus on a broader definition of diversity….and thus, The Melting Pot: Stories with Diversity and Multiculturalism was born.

My column has showcased books that feature Cuban, Mexican, African-American, LGBTQ, plus size, Asian, interracial, and other-abled characters. Note that I am focusing on characters and diverse stories… the authors aren’t necessarily members of minority populations. We live in a diverse world and I would like to see more stories that reflect that diversity. I want to see authors move beyond the stereotypes and tell stories that include a rich tapestry of characters with depth and emotion. Yes, I read for an escape, but I also enjoy learning more about new perspectives and hidden histories.

No matter the genre (I read just about everything), I’m always on the hunt for well written stories with amazing casts of characters. Every December, I post a selection of diverse children’s books, too. If you have any recommendations of great authors or books, please leave a comment or reach out to me via Facebook, Twitter, or my website / email. I’d love to hear from you.

C. MORGAN KENNEDY

About C. Morgan Kennedy:

I have a confession to make. I’m a time traveler. I love flinging myself into the future, then hurtling fast to an alternative past. In my usual time-space-dimension, I’m a mechanical engineer and business woman. So, I have a natural penchant for hover cars and steam or aether powered engines. I was born in the wrong era, I’m actually a child of the sixties – 1860, 1960, 2060.

Steampunker, futurist, blerd, artist, contemporary author, and marketing maven…a real creative force of nature – that’s me in a nutshell.

Keep tabs on my adventures via my blog, Morgan’s Mix Tape, on my website: http://www.cmorgankennedy.com.

Five Tips for Writing Diverse Worlds & Characters by C. Morgan Kennedy

We live in a diverse world full of people from different backgrounds and lush cultures with varied abilities. Yet many of the stories written today often do not reflect this diversity. I’m not just calling out authors of contemporary fiction… many, if not most, historical authors overlook the presence of historically accurate diversity.

How should you approach writing diverse characters who are members of groups and cultures other than your own?

Here are FIVE tips for writing diverse worlds and characters:

1. Do your research – Don’t rely on stereotypes. Read books written by authors from cultures you want to include. Specifically seek out books that reflect their cultural experiences. And, of course, first person research is the best…meaning talk to people.
2. Write the story – Just like with any project, you can get bogged down in the research phase and never actually put words on the page. No words on the page means there is nothing to edit. Write. The. Story. Then…
3. Use a sensitivity reader – Ok – let’s rewind a bit….what is a sensitivity reader? A sensitivity reader is a member of the group you are trying to represent who reads your work to help you ‘get it right.’ They are NOT a line or story editor, but they do provide input on character situations, reactions, and generally make sure your depictions are accurate and culturally sensitive. In short, they try to keep you from putting your proverbial foot in your mouth. Some publishers have sensitivity readers on staff. I’ve helped out a few author friends and friends of friends by doing sensitivity reads for African-American characters.
   Reach out to your writer friends and ask for recommendations for this type of help. Time is money, so be prepared to pay. Depending on word count, a sensitivity read can cost less than $100 - $200 or more USD.
4. Find and use diverse alpha and beta readers – Especially if you are self-publishing your work, another set of eyes (or several sets of eyes) is always a good idea. Just make sure that the readers you select are representative of the world and characters you’ve written.
5. Don’t be afraid, be sensitive – Some authors are so afraid of ‘getting it wrong,’ they avoid including diverse characters. I get it…social media hasn’t been kind to authors of some of the more outrageous and insensitive stories that have been hits lately. If you follow the points I’ve listed, you will avoid most – if not all – the pitfalls some authors have fallen into. Don’t make any assumptions about a different cultural group. Instead write the story and ask for input with an open mind and an open heart.

By being more inclusive, you will create more detailed and richer worlds for your audience. Plus, who knows, you may just find some new readers along the way.

C. MORGAN KENNEDY

About C. Morgan Kennedy:

I have a confession to make. I’m a time traveler. I love flinging myself into the future, then hurtling fast to an alternative past.

In my usual time-space-dimension, I’m a mechanical engineer and business woman. So, I have a natural penchant for hover cars and steam or aether powered engines. I was born in the wrong era, I’m actually a child of the sixties – 1860, 1960, 2060.

Steampunker, futurist, blerd, artist, contemporary author, and marketing maven…a real creative force of nature – that’s me in a nutshell.

Keep tabs on my adventures via my blog, Morgan’s Mix Tape, on my website: http://www.cmorgankennedy.com.