Sensitivity Reading
Sensitivity reading (also called "authenticity reading" and "diversity reading") is a type of manuscript evaluation that checks whether characters are portrayed with authenticity and respect and helps authors avoid harmful stereotypes and problematic language.
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Dot and Dash Sensitivity Readers have experience working for Big Five publishers, major children's and YA publishers, academic publishers., a Hollywood production team, and many indie authors. You can trust we have the expertise you need.
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What Does Sensitivity Reading Include?
The Dot and Dash Sensitivity Reading package includes:
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A detailed and personalized sensitivity reader report with four to fifteen pages of feedback, depending on the book's length, and insight regarding your characters, setting, plot, and theme and/or conscious language use
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In-text comments throughout your manuscript addressing specific issues
What Are Our Areas of Expertise?
Dot and Dash Sensitivity Readers are available for the following topics:
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Agoraphobia
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Alcoholism & drug abuse
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Alzheimer’s and dementia care
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Anxiety
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Being Asian American and the child of immigrants
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Bipolar disorder
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Bisexuality
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Borderline Personality Disorder
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Caregiving
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Child abuse
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Chinese/Taiwanese culture
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Christianity
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Chronic pain
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Connective tissue disorder
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Depression
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Eating disorders
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Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome
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Evangelicalism
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Extremist religion
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Feminism & gender issues
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Fibromyalgia
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Gamer geek
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Homophobia
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Hospice/end-of-life care
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Hypermobility
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Lesbianism
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Mental health therapy and recovery
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Mental health hospitalization
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Midwestern
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Non-religious, atheist & agnostic
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OCD
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Pansexuality
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Phobias
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Physical disability, arms & legs
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Political activism
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PTSD
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Queer topics
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Religious abuse
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Science-fiction nerd
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Scoliosis
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Second generation/child of immigrants
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Self-harm
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Social anxiety
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Sudden death
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Suicide/suicidal ideation
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Tinnitus
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Verbal abuse
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Working class
Download Our Free Conscious Language Guide
Words have the power to do good: to uplift, to inspire, to provoke thought, and to represent those who do not see themselves in media.
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Words also have the power to do harm: to marginalize, to hurt, to reinforce stereotypes, to erase identities.
Writers hold these powers in their hands.
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Our conscious language guide will show you how to wield the up-to-date terms and phrases regarding:
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race
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gender
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sexuality
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disability
It will also give you tips on how to avoid stereotypes and problematic language in your writing.
Then it explains the role Sensitivity Readers can play with assisting in your creation of authentic characters and relaying your message exactly as you intended.
What People Are Saying
She gave detailed feedback throughout the manuscript, including marking those passages that she felt were indeed getting it right, which was immensely helpful. More than that, she went beyond the issues that I'd originally asked her to read for, gently and kindly pointing out other issues that she noticed. I found her perspective very valuable, and I'm absolutely glad to have worked with her.
Sonya Mukherjee (Simon & Schuster)