Current Status: Open
What is a sensitivity reader?
Writing in the Margins explains: “A sensitivity reader reads through a manuscript for issues of representation and for instances of bias on the page. The goal of a sensitivity reader isn’t to edit a manuscript for clarity and logic, although that may be an additional service offered. A sensitivity reader reviews a manuscript for internalized bias and negatively charged language. A sensitivity reader is there to help make sure you do not make a mistake, but they are also NOT a guarantee against making a mistake.”
What my services are
Essentially, I will be reading your manuscript in-depth and in full at least once, reading for my areas of expertise and experience – which are specified by you. For example, you could hire me to read your manuscript with a Muslim character, and I will comment only on that aspect of representation. I will then provide you feedback on whether you have done a good job writing these experiences, what you can do better, and what you can remove or add.
I am not a beta reader; I will not provide line edits, or a “review” of your book with regards to elements like character development or excitability.
Every manuscript that I read will receive:
1. A thorough read of the manuscript
2. A detailed letter (i.e. at least 2 pages) with page references, quotations, and resources (if applicable) telling you my overall thoughts re: representation, as well as suggestions.
List of expertise and What I Read For
- Race and ethnicity expertise:
- Pakistani culture
- Includes life in Pakistan. I lived in Pakistan (Lahore) for 17 years and visit frequently.
- South Asian identities
- With a focus on Pakistan and North India
- Desi culture
- Focusing on the cultures of the Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh); collective history regarding British colonialism; diaspora stories.
- Film industries, music, food, overarching identities
- Being South Asian/desi in the United States
- Micro-aggressions
- Stereotypical portrayals
- Exoticism
- Other-ing
- The specific marginalization Pakistanis and/or Muslims face that other South Asians do not.
- Pakistani culture
- Religious expertise
- Muslim, but practicing (i. e. I believe in the religion, but don’t practice it).
- Growing up non-practicing in an Islamic society
- Islamic history, culture, laws, beliefs, historical figures, and practices.
- Immigration expertise
- Immigrant
- Immigration process from Pakistan to the US
- Airport checks and detainment
- Racial profiling of brown Muslims
- Immigrant living in New York City
- Language expertise
- Multilingual
- Speak, read, write Urdu
- Speak, read, write English
- Speak, understand Hindi
- Understand Punjabi
- Multilingual
- Psychological expertise
- Bachelor’s of Science in Applied Psychology from NYU – have education in areas such as social and cultural psychology, clinical psychology and developmental psychology.
- Personal experiences with social anxiety
- Personal experience with mental health in a culture where it’s considered taboo
Genres
- Young Adult:
- Contemporary
- Fantasy (epic, high, urban, paranormal, historical fantasy etc).
- Science fiction (including dystopian, utopian, futuristic, intergalactic, climate, etc.)
- Historical fiction (only in the areas of my expertise)
- Adult fiction:
- Literary fiction
- Fantasy (epic, high, urban, paranormal, historical fantasy etc.)
- Historical fiction (in areas of my expertise)
- Romance
Pricing
I will expect full payment when you send along your manuscript. This guarantees a sensitivity read. Money can be sent to me via:
- PayPal
- Personal check
- Direct deposite
The fee is non-refundable, unless I cannot read your full manuscript for any reason. If this is the case, I will charge you for the number of words I HAVE read, and provide you detailed feedback, but will refund the amount of what I could not read.
- 10,000 – 30,000 words = $150
- 30,000 – 60,000 words = $225
- 60,000 – 100,000 words = $300
- 100,000 + words = $350 (base price) + # of words ($0.0075/word)
- For example: if you send me a manuscript of 115,000 words, I will charge you $350 + (0.0075 * 15,000) = $460
Terms & Conditions
- You may not disclose my identity as your sensitivity reader to anyone without my consent. If you reveal my identity, without express permission, you will be blacklisted.
- You may not use my sensitivity read as a scapegoat, or a justification, for any sensitivity flaws another reader finds in your work in the future. My sensitivity read is not an endorsement of the themes in your book, nor does it exempt you from criticism.
- I will not disclose any information about your work or your identity to anyone; I will not discuss the sensitivity read with anyone, but if I decide to read the finished copy of your book, I have the right to criticize it as I would any other book.
Please contact me if, and only if, you have read the above information, and are in full agreement of it. You can contact me if you have any questions, but please, only do so if you have read everything thoroughly.