Non-binary authenticity reader for your book
What is an authenticity reader?
An authenticity reader is a person who gives authors feedback on the representation of identities of experiences in an author’s story. This is especially important when an author is writing outside of their own experiences and wants feedback from someone with lived experience or firsthand knowledge.
Authenticity reading is a type of beta reading which focuses on the story from the perspective of their experiences. Often used to ensure authenticity of a story’s plot, characterisation, setting, and dialogue, authenticity readers helps an author build trust with readers and authentically represent marginalised characters.
Even publishing houses like Penguin hire authenticity readers.
Why call it authenticity reading instead of sensitivity reading?
Sensitivity reading and authenticity reading is the same thing, but authenticity reading is the preferred term for many. Authenticity readers focus on providing feedback on how authentic and real the characters (or settings or plots) come across.
Consider this: a book has two protagonists, one of whom is non-binary, and the author identifies as cisgender. They work with me to ensure that their non-binary character is portrayed authentically. I offer feedback on how their character comes across, so they can make any changes and feel confident in how they’ve written the character.
This ensures more of their readers will be comfortable reading their story, and readers who are uninformed about non-binary people won’t be misinformed about stereotypes.
Sensitivity reading is an inaccurate term which encourages the misconception that sensitivity readers censor writing. This isn’t the case at all. Authenticity readers simply want to help authors portray more diverse characters and plots without encouraging inaccurate or harmful depictions.
Is authenticity reading the same as beta reading?
Authenticity reading is a type of beta reading with focus on specific elements. While beta readers will give an author overall feedback on a novel’s characters, story, and narrative, authenticity readers narrow in what they specialise in.
As a non-binary authenticity reader, I only comment and query dialogue and descriptions as they pertain to non-binary characters and how non-binary readers will view it. For instance, if a description perpetuates a binary world without addressing the inclusion of non-binary people, I’ll ask the author if it would work better in a more inclusive way, such as suggesting the term ‘parents and children’ instead of ‘women and children’.
Beta reading gives authors feedback on how general readers perceive their book and how they’d improve it before publication. Authenticity reading gives authors feedback on how a particular reader perceives their book and flag any potentially harmful biases or inaccuracies before publication.
How I work with you as an authenticity reader
Like beta reading, authenticity reading typically works on a book pre-formatting but after editing has taken place. I prefer to work on Microsoft Word or Google Docs files, so I can leave comments throughout the story.
As an authenticity reader, I leave comments with constructive feedback and positive praise, and also add questions where needed. If possible, I’ll send resources to help, or else explain how something could be improved.
I also provide an authenticity reading report which summarises my feedback and queries. None of my comments are made as direct changes to your manuscript, leaving you in charge of applying the changes you agree with.
I’m happy to work with authors on rewording as needed. You can contact me after the initial report with any questions you have.
My authenticity reading services cost £0.002 per word, or are currently FREE for stories under 40,000 words while I build up my testimonials.
Let’s get started
Interested in my authenticity reading services? Great!
Fill out the form below and I’ll be in contact via email soon.