by Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed.D. @khutch0767

Whether established authors or aspiring ones, we understand that creating our masterpieces requires a team. Without editors, graphic artists, and technological support, we’d never produce quality books. However, we may need a new type of expert to hire who’ll help us develop excellent manuscripts—a sensitivity reader.

Though the topic of sensitivity readers has caused immense confusion, excitement, and controversy, we should break down central concepts to make informed decisions.

To do this, there are vital questions that need to be answered. Here they are:

What does a sensitivity reader do?

Sensitivity readers comb and critique manuscripts. They pinpoint offensive or erroneous writing that builds walls instead of bridges between the author and readers. Offensive writing is considered biased, stereotypical, racist, and contains insensitive language. Erroneous writing lacks effective fact-checking and thorough research.

Why are people excited about sensitivity readers?

Most authors want readers to love our books and characters. Sometimes we have a story inside us that begs to be told. With the assistance of a seasoned sensitivity reader, we have an extra layer of protection from trouble for not doing our due diligence and insulating our readers from unnecessary, triggering material.

Why is there controversy over sensitivity readers?

There’s controversy partially because there’s tons of misinformation about this critique. Mistakenly, some writers think sensitivity readers take away from their literary freedom of expression. Often, people believe they can read, research the internet and use their limited perspectives to write authoritatively about people they seldom interact with, if at all. However, we need to take the same attitude we would when required to adhere to basic policies and proper etiquette in business. Additionally, sensitivity readers have a trained eye to decipher through internalized biases we may not realize we have. There are no guarantees that someone won’t get offended, even with a sensitivity reader. But, with one, authors are far less likely to experience issues. Sensitivity readers are here for our best interests and help protect us from potential backlash.

Who needs a sensitivity reader?

Authors should hire sensitivity readers when they write about characters who’re members of marginalized groups that they aren’t part of. Other times to hire sensitivity readers are when we write on an area outside our expertise. If we want to write a book about army soldiers or nurses, we should hire an expert to ensure we develop the right characters with the proper perspective. This is a common sense tactic that serves to validate us as professionals.

Do publishers recommend sensitivity readers? Why or why not?

Unfortunately, some publishers and other writing professionals argue that using sensitivity readers is overkill. But these entities also alienate themselves from readers, deal with lawsuits, and help continue to stir up controversy. Often publishers deter authors from submitting books about marginalized groups that the author isn’t a part of. No publisher wants a lawsuit or negative press about a book that may cost them sales or cause them to pull the book (this does happen). However, suppose an author submits a book vetted and edited by an accredited sensitivity reader. In that case, progressive-thinking publishers are far more likely to accept the project.

Who qualifies to be a sensitivity reader?

To qualify as a sensitivity reader, one should typically be a member of a marginalized group that authors are writing about. However, this individual must still be trained to pinpoint various biases, no matter how subtle. Marginalized people can possess harmful views about the very group to which they belong. Therefore, we must be careful not to gravitate to a sensitivity reader who’ll echo our thinking. Instead, we should use objective, professionally trained sensitivity readers. Other types of sensitivity readers help us to write accurately about a subject or experience we’re not experts in. If we wanted to write about a character who is blind, then it makes sense to assess our material with someone with more experience than us in this area. This way, we ensure we’re thoughtful and accurate when portraying foreign subject matters.

Now that we’re empowered with information about sensitivity readers, we can make informed decisions regarding hiring one. If we go that route, we should seek qualified readers with solid resumes and a passion for integrity. A good, sensitivity reader should also hunger for books to be considerate, respectful, and fair, not only for their group but for—all people.

Author, speaker, educational consultant, and editor–Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes, Ed. D. has had her hand in leadership for many years. She loves speaking to groups and delivering messages with a quick wit and real-life stories. Katherine is a freelance writer/content editor, a content editor/writing coach for Iron Stream Media, and a sensitivity reader for Sensitivity Between the Lines. She is a review board member and contributor to Inkspirations (an online magazine for Christian writers), and her writing has been published in Guideposts. Her work in art/writing is distinguished by awards, including the New York Mayor’s Contribution to the Arts, Outstanding Resident Artist of Arizona, and the Foundations Awards at the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writer’s Conference (2016, 2019, 2021, 2022). She was a finalist in the Genesis Contest ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers/Romantic Suspense 2022). She is a finalist for the Claymore Award 2022 (Thriller Division) for the best-unpublished manuscript. She is a member of Word Weavers International and serves as an online chapter president and mentor. She belongs to FWA (Florida Writers Association), ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers), CWoC (Crime Writers of Color), AWSA (Advanced Writers and Speakers Association), and AASA (American Association of School Administrators). She serves on the board of the nonprofit organization Submersion 14 and is an art instructor and virtual exhibition specialist for the nonprofit organization Light for the Future. Katherine is the host of the podcast Murder, Mystery & Mayhem Laced with Morality. She has authored a Christian Bible study for women and is currently working on the sequel and prequel to her first general market thriller novel, “A Fifth of the Story.”