Sensitivity reader

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]

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] Critics accuse sensitivity readers of being "new moral gatekeepers", offering a way to "cancel-proof your book".[4][5]

The use of sensitivity readers has attracted controversy from authors and the public. Anthony Horowitz and Kate Clanchy have both criticized the impact of sensitivity readers on their books, the latter ultimately breaking with publisher Picador after controversy surrounding her memoir.[3]

Controversies
Main article: Roald Dahl revision controversy

New editions of Roald Dahl's children's novels published by Puffin Books, a division of Penguin Books, changed some of Dahl's language regarding weight, mental health, gender and race, as reported in February 2023.[6] The aim, in the publisher's words, was to "ensure that it can continue to be enjoyed by all today." The alterations were recommended by sensitivity readers at the organization Inclusive Minds.[7] 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.[8][9][10] Queen Camilla, also made remarks during a speech, which were widely interpreted as a condemnation of Puffin's announcement.[11][12] In Matilda, references to Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling were replaced by references to Jane Austen and John Steinbeck. In The Witches, which features a group of witches who wear wigs, a new sentence was added in which the practice of wig-wearing among women is defended.[13] Several days later, Puffin announced that after "[listening] to the debate over the past week", 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.[14][15]

In 2023, it was reported that Ian Fleming's James Bond series was being re-published, with a number of racial slurs and references removed, along with some disparagements of women and homosexuality.[16] A disclaimer was added at the beginning of each book, reading "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."[17][16] Sensitivity reader revisions were also reported in 2023 on works by Agatha Christie,[18][19][20] and PG Wodehouse.[21]

See also

References
  1. "Writing, Editing, and Publishing Indigenous Stories". Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: University of Alberta. 13 January 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  2. Hucal, Sarah (23 February 2023). "Roald Dahl's works and the role of sensitivity readers". DW News. Berlin, Germany: Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023. In short, sensitivity readers are hired by publishing houses to read for offensive content, misrepresentation, stereotypes, bias and lack of understanding of minority groups.
  3. "Publishers defend sensitivity readers as vital tool following author criticism". The Bookseller. London, England: The Stage Media Company. 20 June 2022. ISSN 0006-7539. Archived from the original on 27 June 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  4. Dubno, Zoe (10 July 2021). "The rise of the 'sensitivity reader'". The Spectator. London, England: Press Holdings. ISSN 0038-6952. OCLC 1766325. Archived from the original on 16 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  5. Rosenfield, Kat (August 2022). "Sensitivity Readers Are the New Literary Gatekeepers". Reason. No. August/September 2022. Los Angeles, California, USA: Reason Foundation. OCLC 818916200. Archived from the original on 22 February 2023. Retrieved 19 February 2023.
  6. Kirka, Danica (19 February 2023). "Critics reject changes to Roald Dahl books as censorship". AP NEWS. Retrieved 16 April 2023.
  7. Ellery, Ben (25 February 2023). "Inside the group of 'inclusion ambassadors' behind Roald Dahl edits". The Times. London, England. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on 4 March 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  8. Dellatto, Marisa (20 February 2023). "Roald Dahl Books Get New Edits—And Critics Cry Censorship: The Controversy Surrounding 'Charlie And The Chocolate Factory' And More". Forbes. Jersey City, New Jersey, USA. ISSN 0015-6914. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  9. Zymeri, Jeff (21 February 2023). "Salman Rushdie Blasts 'Absurd' Censorship of Roald Dahl". National Review. New York City, NY, USA: National Review, Inc. ISSN 0028-0038. Archived from the original on 21 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  10. Honeycombe-Foster, Matt; Blanchard, Jack (21 February 2023). "UK's Badenoch slams 'problematic' rewrites of classic Roald Dahl books". Politico. Arlington County, Virginia, USA: Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  11. Lawless, Jill (24 February 2023). "Penguin to publish 'classic' Roald Dahl books after backlash". Associated Press. New York City, NY, USA. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023.
  12. Tominey, Camilla. "Thank heavens for Queen Camilla, who saved Britain from Roald Dahl censorship". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Archived from the original on 26 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  13. Harrison, Ellie (23 February 2023). "The 6 most glaring edits to Roald Dahl's books by publisher Puffin". The Independent. ISSN 1741-9743. OCLC 185201487. Archived from the original on 27 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  14. Abramovitch, Seth (24 February 2023). "Roald Dahl Publisher Bends to Controversy, Will Release "Classic" Version of Controversial Kids' Books". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California, USA: Eldridge Industries. ISSN 0018-3660. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  15. "Roald Dahl rewrites: edited language in books criticised as 'absurd censorship'". The Guardian. London, England. Associated Press. 19 February 2023. ISSN 1756-3224. OCLC 60623878. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  16. Simpson, Craig (25 February 2023). "James Bond books edited to remove racist references". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023. Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, the company that owns the literary rights to the author's work, commissioned a review by sensitivity readers of the classic texts under its control.
  17. Haring, Bruce (26 February 2023). "James Bond Books Edited To Avoid Offense To Modern Audiences – Report". Deadline. USA: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on 28 February 2023. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
  18. Simpson, Craig (25 March 2023). "Agatha Christie classics latest to be rewritten for modern sensitivities". The Daily Telegraph. London, England. ISSN 0307-1235. OCLC 49632006. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  19. Nugent, Annabel (26 March 2023). "Agatha Christie books, including Poirot and Miss Marple mysteries, to be rewritten for modern sensitivities". The Independent. Longon, England. ISSN 1741-9743. OCLC 185201487. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  20. Hall, Rachel (26 March 2023). "Agatha Christie novels reworked to remove potentially offensive language". The Guardian. London, England. ISSN 1756-3224. OCLC 60623878. Archived from the original on 27 March 2023. Retrieved 27 March 2023.
  21. Simpson, Craig (15 April 2023). "Jeeves and Wooster stories censored to avoid offending modern readers". The Telegraph. Retrieved 16 April 2023.


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