Want to Ensure Cultural Accuracy and Inclusivity? Hire a Sensitivity Reader

When it comes to updating outdated books to remove offensive content, there can be both pros and cons to using sensitivity readers to review the material. Sensitivity readers are hired to review written material from the perspective of a person from a historically underprivileged or marginalized groups.

The use of sensitivity readers is becoming more common in the industry, and it’s a great tool for editors and authors to make sure that readers won’t be faced with any unnecessary or potentially offensive content when they pick up a book. But there are also some drawbacks to using sensitivity readers to scour outdated books.

According to reports in the national media in the UK, sensitivity readers were hired to scour the original James Bond books to identify and remove any ‘outdated’ content including racist and sexist comments. The changes were recommended following a review by sensitivity readers at Penguin books.

The newest editions of these books, written by Ian Fleming, will now contain a trigger warning notifying readers that they may find some of the storylines may potentially be offensive.The warning will read “This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace.”

The pros of using sensitivity readers include the fact that they can help editors and authors locate offensive language or unconscious bias that may be embedded in the text, as well as address any issues of representation in the type of characters portrayed in the book.

Sensitivity readers can provide valuable input on a book’s cultural accuracy, helping to ensure that it accurately portrays societal dynamics of different cultures or communities. By taking into account the perspectives of marginalized groups, books can become more sensitively written, helping to open up the publishing industry to a more diverse range of authors.

However, there are also some cons to using sensitivity readers. One issue is that it can be challenge for authors and publishers to hire sensitivity readers that can strike the right balance between removing content that is objectionable and entering into the arena of censorship.

Additionally, some people may feel that hiring readers will lead to less diversity in thought and hold back many authors from writing about sensitive topics or writing about characters from diverse backgrounds. Hence, the steep increase in the number of authors wanting to hire sensitivity readers.

Related: Benefits of Hiring a Sensitivity Reader

Sensitivity Reader Fees

AUD $245, CAD $220, GBP £130, EUR €150, USD $165 per reader up to 120,000 words*.

*For manuscripts in excess of 120,000 words please contact us for a quote.

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