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A sensitivity reader is someone who reads a literary work, looking for perceived offensive content, stereotypes and bias, creating a report for an author or publisher with suggested changes.[1][2] The use of sensitivity readers has attracted criticism from some authors and members of the public, particularly with respect to edits to re-editions of previously published works of literature.
Proponents state "the literary quality of a work is substantially improved" when reviewed and copy-edited by others from "a specific Nation or community that the author is writing about".[1] Helen Wicks, managing director for children's trade at Bonnier, defended the practice by stating that "we believe sensitivity reads can play an important role in inclusive, forward-thinking publishing."[3]
From 2015, partly in response to the movement for diversity in young adult fiction, sensitivity readings became popular and influential especially in Young Adult Fiction.[4][5] Cases where sensitivity readers were brought in after pre-publication controversy included those of Laura Moriarty, whose book American Heart had its prestigious Kirkus Reviews star removed prior to publication in 2017,[6] and Blood Heir by Amélie Wen Zhao.[7] Kosoko Jackson, a sensitivity reader himself, withdrew his own novel A Place for Wolves over sensitivity concerns in 2019.[8]
Following the controversy over the book American Dirt in 2020, debate over the use of sensitivity readers intensified including in the UK.[9] Lionel Shriver[10] accused sensitivity readers of being censorious, of being "new moral gatekeepers" or of offering a way to "cancel-proof your book".[11][12] Writer Anthony Horowitz[13] wrote about his 'clash' with 'very sensitive' sensitivity readers.
In non-fiction, Kate Clanchy broke with her publisher Picador after controversy surrounding her memoir. In 2022 Clanchy wrote an essay expressing her concerns that her sensitivity readers seemed 'to concur that the past should match an idealised present', and to imply that writing, 'should represent the world as it ought to be, not as it is.' Further, Clanchy stated that the readers did not recognise irony and satire and wished 'to eliminate journeys of thought across chapters, ambiguity from paragraphs, and nuance from sentences'.[14] Clanchy's essay together with others has continued to be discussed internationally in the following years.[15][16][17][18]
 | The examples and perspective in this section deal primarily with the United Kingdom and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. (May 2024) |
In addition to new works, publishers have also used sensitivity readers to flag content perceived as offensive in previously published works, such as outdated attitudes towards race or gender. Prominent authors subject to such edits include Agatha Christie,[19][20][21] PG Wodehouse,[22] Ian Fleming and Roald Dahl.
Ian Fleming
In 2023, Ian Fleming's James Bond series was re-published with a number of racial slurs and references removed.[23] A disclaimer in each book stated, "This book was written at a time when terms and attitudes which might be considered offensive by modern readers were commonplace. A number of updates have been made in this edition, while keeping as close as possible to the original text and the period in which it is set."[24][23] Charlie Higson, actor, comedian and author of the first five Young Bond novels, defended the alterations, saying that sensitivity reading is "nothing new".[25]
Roald Dahl
New editions of Roald Dahl's children's novels published by Puffin Books, a division of Penguin Books, changed some of Dahl's language[26] in line with recommendations by sensitivity readers.[27] The decision was met with criticism from groups and public figures including the CEO of PEN America, Salman Rushdie, Brian Cox, Rishi Sunak, and Kemi Badenoch.[28][29][30] Consequently, Puffin announced that it would also continue to sell the original, unaltered editions of Roald Dahl's children's novels, under the title The Roald Dahl Classic Collection.[31][32]
- Cultural diversity
- Expurgation (also known as bowdlerization)
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