How I Used a Sensitivity Reader to Review My Screenplay Set During The Hungarian Revolution
About fifteen years ago…
…I wrote a script based on real people; a famous British explorer, Samuel Baker, who found his future wife, a Hungarian aristocrat, on a slave block in Bulgaria. He bought her freedom. The two eventually fell in love and set out on an adventure to find the source of the Nile.
I could only do so much research online, so I joined the Royal Geographical Society and traveled to London to read original manuscripts written by Samuel Baker. I also had the pleasure of meeting descendants of Florence Baker in Salisbury England. They shared a diary written by her, along with little known facts and nuances about Florence that I could have only gotten from them.
After completing the script, I forwarded to them to check for accuracy. They caught a few missteps and I chose to make the changes.
I didn’t know it then, but that could have been considered a Sensitivity Read.
So what is a Sensitivity Reader, anyway? A Sensitivity Reader is someone who has a writing or editing background; (or simply an avid reader) with extensive personal experiences that they use to draw upon when they review projects submitted to them for misrepresentations, bias, racism, or unintentional stereotypes.
Sensitivity Readers are not regular editors or censors.
They do not proof, look for holes in stories, or re-write or delete content. In fact, all projects given to Sensitivity Readers are given voluntarily. The Sensitivity Reader simply reads for what they consider to be offensive content, misrepresentation or stereotypes, and points it out. The author of the content chooses whether to use their suggestions or not.
A Sensitivity Reader is also someone who specializes in a specific niche (African-American, Muslim, Physically Challenged, LGBTQ, Little People, the obese, etc.) and are part of the specific marginalized community that the author is writing about. The Sensitivity Reader thoroughly reads over the material for bias, stereotypes, offensiveness, lack of understanding, etc. and creates a report for the client outlining their thoughts, why they feel something may be a problem, and offering possible solutions.
Will a Sensitivity Reader censor the work?
The client makes the final decision whether to make the changes suggested, make only a few changes, or keep the project as is.
Some writers believe that they should be free to write whatever they want and not be scrutinized. That is true to a point. No one is forced to hire a Sensitivity Reader. But authors who understand that their point of view is only one point of view and that others exist, may want to hire a Sensitivity Reader.
If you grew up in the Hamptons, but want to write about a family in the Chicago projects, you should not rely on how you “think” the characters would act, speak or live (from what you’ve seen on television or the news), but have someone who has lived, or lives that life, as a sounding board.
Sensitivity Reading is a service, another tool in the writer’s belt.
Authors who write diverse books, but do not have first-hand experience with the people they are writing about, can make use of a Sensitivity Reader in the niche they require.
Does a project need more than one Sensitivity Reader?
Possibly. If you are writing about more than one marginalized group, and you are not part of those groups, then you would do well to hire Sensitivity Readers who specialize in each group.
How do you get started as a Sensitivity Reader?
If you’re an author, writer or avid reader, you may already have the right tools to get started. Which specific niche(s) would you be qualified for? Are you a member of the LGBTQ community? Are you Hispanic, Indian, obese, African-American, Muslim, a Little Person, Asian, have experience with mental illness, foster care, etc.? Hone in on your niche(s) and be very specific about what types of projects you’re qualified to review. Then offer “free” Sensitivity Reads to fellow authors, friends of friends, or acquaintances. Once you’ve done a handful and you have happy, satisfied clients, ask them for testimonials. With testimonials in hand, position yourself online through your website and social media as a Sensitivity Reader in your specific niche(s).
Are Sensitivity Readers paid?
Yes, they are. You could consider them “diversity editors.” Sensitivity Readers charge according to their experience and skill set. But please note: Sensitivity Readers are not editors in the normal sense. They do not proof, re-write, or find holes in stories. They simply read in order to determine if bias, stereotypes, racism or assumptions are present, and offer possible solutions.
I was on Reddit last month on a gaming thread. There was an indie game creator looking for African-American gamers to beta test his project prior to release. He had several characters within the game who were black, and had them speaking heavy slang. Thankfully he understood that someone who was actually black and played games should take a peak before release.
Sensitivity Readers are needed in the book publishing industry, gaming, film, television, marketing and more. Sensitivity Reading can be both fulfilling and lucrative.
If you fall into a much-needed niche and would like to provide a valuable, in-demand service, consider becoming a Sensitivity Reader.
Patrice Williams Marks is a Sensitivity Reader, founder of courses that teaches Sensitivity Reading, founder of a non-profit charity, founder of several film festivals with diverse entries from filmmakers and writers. She also has a background in public relations, marketing, and journalism with an emphasis on research.
PatriceWilliamsMarks.com – Hire Me As Your Sensitivity Reader
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