We Help You With Publishing
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We Help You With Publishing
Sensitivity reading is often misunderstood. It is not censorship. It is not a demand to remove every challenging element. It is a professional service that identifies potential blind spots, stereotypes, and cultural inaccuracies before publication. Many authors skip this step out of fear or ego. Others hire unqualified readers who either over correct or miss everything.
At Author Publishers Hub, our sensitivity readers have lived experience in the communities they review for. We cover race, ethnicity, religion, disability, LGBTQ+ identities, mental health, trauma, and more. We provide a detailed report and flagged manuscript. We do not rewrite. We do not demand changes. We explain the issue, suggest alternatives, and let you decide. The result is a book that is both authentic and responsible.
The problem: You have included a character from a marginalized group. But you are not sure if their portrayal is authentic or if you have accidentally relied on stereotypes.
Author Publishers Hub's solution: Our sensitivity reader first assesses the overall representation. Is the character fully developed or just a token? Are their motivations rooted in their identity or are they defined by it? Does the story imply that one person represents an entire community? We flag broad issues before diving into smaller details. You receive a big picture report on what works and what needs adjustment.
What our foundation review gives you:
The problem: Your plot uses familiar tropes that you did not realize are harmful. The magical minority. The white savior. The tragic queer death. You need someone to point them out.
Author Publishers Hub's solution: Our readers are trained to recognize problematic narrative patterns. We flag every instance of a potentially harmful trope. We explain why it is problematic and offer alternative story directions. We also review language: slurs, microaggressions, exoticism, and appropriation. You keep creative control, but you can no longer claim ignorance. Your book will be better for it.
How we review narrative and language:
The problem: Your character speaks or behaves in ways that feel off to someone from that community. But you cannot tell why.
Author Publishers Hub's solution: Our sensitivity readers share lived experience. They will tell you if a character's dialogue, clothing, religious practice, or emotional response feels authentic. They will also flag anachronisms or outdated references. We do not expect perfection, but we help you avoid embarrassing errors that break trust with readers. Your characters will feel like real people, not research projects.
Our authenticity check includes:
The problem: You are afraid that a sensitivity reader will attack your book or demand changes that ruin your vision.
Author Publishers Hub's solution: We match you with a reader who has relevant lived experience. You sign a confidentiality agreement. We read your manuscript and produce two things: a detailed editorial letter (5 to 15 pages) and a marked up manuscript with comments. We do not rewrite. We do not demand. We explain the issue, offer a suggested fix, and leave the decision to you. You are always in control. No judgment. Just honest, respectful feedback.
What our process guarantees:
Sensitive reading thrives on lived experience, honest feedback, and creative collaboration. Great sensitivity reading makes your book stronger, not smaller.
Great sensitive reading is a blend of cultural humility, narrative expertise, and constructive feedback. Author Publishers Hub brings all three. You bring your manuscript and your good faith. Together, we publish responsibly.
We treat your book with the same care we would want for our own.
Imagine receiving feedback that makes your book better, not smaller. No more dreading bad reviews for insensitivity. That peace of mind is one read away.
A sensitivity review is not just about avoiding criticism. It is about writing better books. It can:
Most authors skip sensitivity reading to save time or money. Then they get called out online. Author Publishers Hub clients invest in respect and watch their reputations grow.
The best time to get a sensitivity read was before your final draft. The second best time is right now.
No. Sensitivity reading is advisory. We flag potential issues, explain why they might harm readers, and offer alternatives. You decide whether to make changes. We never demand or delete. Your artistic vision remains yours.
We have readers for: race and ethnicity, Indigenous identities, LGBTQ+ identities, disability (physical, intellectual, neurodivergence), mental health, religious communities, immigration status, trauma survivors, chronic illness, and more. If you need a specific lived experience, we will find a reader.
No. Our readers provide comments and a report. They do not edit directly. You will see suggestions like "Consider changing X to Y" or "This phrase is harmful because Z." You make the actual changes yourself, or you ignore them. We have no ego in your final text.
A typical 70,000 to 100,000 word manuscript takes 2 to 3 weeks for a thorough read and report. A shorter manuscript (under 50,000 words) takes 1 to 2 weeks. Rush service is available for an additional fee. We always confirm a deadline before matching you with a reader.
Pricing is based on word count and the number of identity lenses requested. A single lens (e.g., disability only) for a 70,000 word novel starts at 500 dollars. Multiple lenses (e.g., race and LGBTQ+) start at 800 to 1,200 dollars. Comprehensive reads covering all marginalized identities start at 1,500 dollars. We offer a free 10 page sample review for one lens so you can evaluate our readers.
Possibly. Even if you share an identity with your characters, you may still have blind spots. Another person from your community might catch different issues, or see things you missed because you are too close to the material. Many Own Voices authors use sensitivity readers as a second set of trusted eyes. It is not required, but it is often helpful.