In the far from diverse publishing industry, sensitivity readers are vital

By Sarah Jilani, Lecturer in English, City, University of London

Publishing houses have set the cat among the pigeons. They have introduced “sensitivity readers”. Some authors are claiming this amounts to censorship. But what is the truth of this relatively new practice?

Sensitivity readers are contracted by a publisher to provide editorial feedback on omissions, discontinuity, cliche and credibility issues in a book draft – specifically where they relate to subject matter about people from marginalised groups.

Part of being an author is writing outside of personal perspectives and experiences. Sensitivity reads provide tailored feedback…

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