#sensitivity reader

[cripplecharacters]

hi! I'm aware that this blog is for questions about writing disabilities in general, but do you guys know of any blogs or resources to look for sensitivity/beta readers? in case you guys don't beta read.

thanks for all your work, mods! <3

- eyemask anon

Hello!

For specific disabilities, there are some Tumblr pages that offer sensitivity reading:

@blindbeta does sensitivity reading for works involving blind characters. You can find information about their availability, rate, and such in their pinned post.

@vitiligo-is-not-a-trend does sensitivity reading for works involving characters with vitiligo.

@a-little-revolution has mentioned doing sensitivity reading [Link] for characters with dwarfism (and possibly autistic and hard-of-hearing characters).

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to find any active blogs on the topic of general sensitivity reading.

If you're open to going off-site, there's also a subreddit called r/SensitivityReaders for connecting writers with sensitivity readers.

They have a few categories:

Culture/Ethnicity

Disability

Job/Experience

LGBT+ & LGBTQ+ (For some reason these are two different tags?)

Mental Illness

Physical Illness

Religion

I'm not sure about the other mods but I will mention that I do personally do sensitivity reading, beta reading, and editing occasionally.

Cheers,

~ Mod Icarus

[cerruleon]

☆ EMERGENCY COMMISSIONS / SIGNAL B👀ST☆

Hi, nice to meet ya! I'm Leon and my life has rapidly fell apart since August 2024. This was due to my dad's sudden decline from what we thought was from MS, but from a rare stage 4 colon cancer.

With that, there's a threat of homelessness for my mom, who has sacrificed her life for my dad and our entire family.

UPDATE (6/1/25): I appreciate your help! I was able to find a new job but still would appreciate funds to help us pay for medical bills and my father's hospice/nursing stay.

○ WHAT WE NEED ○

- About 5,000 USD minimum. This will cover moving expenses at the very least.

● WHAT I'M OFFERING ●

- $3+ doodles through my Kof-fi or DM me!

- $5 to $10 messy colored sketch commissions (some examples here)

- Virtual nerd yard sale through Mercari (I got a Daft Punk ita bag, keychains and all sorts of fun things will be uploaded over-time.)

- A discount for stickers through my sticker shop here. Discount code is: SOS2025 [I have a LOT of sticker designs. Shipping is forever and always free. Waterbottle friendly and weather resistant.]

- Novel writing critiques, beta reading and sensitivity reading (DM me but know my pricing is extremely cheap with This Economy, I don't want to break anyone's bank)

- Business stuff such as cheap logo designs, email templates, commercial t-shirt designs, business cards, I can help with that.

♡ IF YOU JUST WANNA HELP ♡

- GoxFundxMe here lol 🚑

- Donate to my Kofi ☕️

- I have CashApp, Venmo and Zelle, but I feel more comfortable sharing that via DM.

♡ BOTTOM LINE ♡

I really sincerely appreciate your help. My goal is to cover the finances so that my family can be able to focus on grieving my father and have some peace.

If you can't donate, I seriously appreciate any reblogs and signal boosts. The support I've been given from strangers has drastically boosted my faith in humanity so thank you!

[writing-tics]

different kinds of tics

Tics can divided into few categories: simple/complex and motor/vocal.

Motor tics are movements. Examples: blinking, shoulder shrugging, making faces or gestures, etc.

Vocal tics are sounds. Examples: meowing, barking, saying words or sentences, whistling, etc.

sometimes it can be hard to differentiate between them. I have a tic in which i click my tongue. It is a movement, but there is also a sound to it. I'm not sure whether it's the movement or the sound that makes the pre-tic tension go away.

Complex tics involve a lot of different muscles. They can appear as something done intentionally, but they are never intentional. Examples: saying words or frazes, making gestures, jumping, grimacing, etc

Simple tics are quick, and, well, simple. Examples: winking of an eye, tensing of a specific muscle, sniffing, simple "woo", or a similar sound, etc

Different types of tics can feel very different. They may alleviate the pre-tic tension in different ways. For example i need to hear the whistle in order for the tension to disappear, but I don't need to hear my meowing for the tension to go away.

I may not even notice some of my simple motor tics. but sometimes there is a big cumulation of them and it's awful. Some of the more complex ones feel like i'm being controlled by some alien life force or sth. And some of my complex tics are chill, and idc. It really depends on the day, on what I'm doing and what my tics are at the moment.

bibliography

NHS

A handy table

MedicalNewsToday

the last two paragraphs are based purely on my own experiences. Other people with tics will probably experience things differently.

[vitiligo-is-not-a-trend]

FAQ (PLEASE READ BEFORE SENDING ANY ASKS!):

I have vitiligo does that mean I can't do X, Y, or Z?:

If you have vitiligo: Welcome to the club :D! In general this advice is mainly aimed towards people who don't have vitiligo, BUT if you do, do what you want! The only thing I would ask of you is to be aware that A) People might not be aware that you have vitiligo which is why you're taking liberates with it, B) People might try to emulate your depiction so if someone without the disorder doing something you might find uncomfortable, keep that in mind! and C) Be mindful of whether or not you're contributing to potentially harmful stereotypes! I'm not going to tell you, someone with the disability, that things are off limits, and I am aware that not everyone feels the same about this disorder, but keeping those things in mind won't hurt anybody!

Is it okay for vitiligo to be animal or shape based in pattern?:

NO. It's de-humanizing and harmful as many ablest insults aimed towards people with this disorder are animal-based. Also it purposefully goes out of it's way to make a person less human purely because they're disabled, which is obviously ablest in itself. Vitiligo is a disorder, NOT an aesthetic.

The same applied for characters inspired or based on animals, especially ones that are patterned.

YES this also includes giving them patterns like paint splotches, hearts, stars, and other stuff like that.

How does vitiligo develop?:

Vitiligo is an auto-immune disorder, which means its genetics based, BUT(!) it is not something you are born with, and needs to be developed through a person's life time. There are theories as to how it develops but as far as I'm aware there's no one solid answer.

Are POC the only people who can develop vitiligo?:

Nope! Vitiligo can occur in anyone of any race/ethnicity. The reason why you only see people with darker skin tones portrayed with it is because there's more visual contrast, thus making it seem more unique/distinct/obvious.

What does this blog offer?:

I do all sorts of things! I show examples of vitiligo represented in media, answer any questions people might have about it in general, questions specific to character/plots, character design tips, and sensitivity reading just to name a few!

Why am I not answering an ask?

I've got a few mental and physical conditions which make me extremely tired all the time and sometimes I just don't have the mental energy to do it </3

Also some asks are tricky! I might just horde the ask until I can think of a proper way to respond or if vitiligo finally gets enough media rep that I can do a proper analysis or make an actual wish-list lol.

Who runs this blog?:

@trinrose3! I developed vitiligo when I was 7 years and and for the majority of the time that I've had this disorder I felt disgusted and ashamed of it. Over the last few years I've learned to appreciate my vitiligo, as well as develop a slight hyperfixation on it in general, so I made this blog in order to spread awareness and positivity!

I'm the only one running this joint so if I'm being a little slow to answer an ask please be patient <3

Also here's a link to my ko-fi I'm struggling to pay bills and the health issues, job market, and other life circumstances are making it really hard right now so every penny is appreciated! I also take art commissions!

https://ko-fi.com/trinrose3

[vivsinkpot]

Character Diversity Done Right: Beyond Tokenism & Forced Inclusivity

Diversity in storytelling isn’t just about ticking boxes or adding characters to look inclusive. It’s about creating real, nuanced people who enrich your world and resonate with readers. Let’s break down how to do diversity thoughtfully — without falling into the trap of forced inclusivity or the “token minority” trope.

✨ What Is Forced Inclusivity?

Forced inclusivity happens when diversity feels like an obligation instead of a natural part of the story.

Characters might be added just to meet a quota.

Their identities are mentioned but not explored or integrated meaningfully.

They often feel out of place or like an afterthought.

Why avoid it?

Because it can feel performative, shallow, or even disrespectful. Readers want authentic stories — not characters who exist only to “check a box.”

⚠️ The Token Minority Trap

A “token” character is often the only member of their group in the story, included to represent an entire community. They usually:

Have one-dimensional traits centered on their identity (e.g., the “sassy Black friend” or “nerdy gay sidekick”).

Are used to educate or explain cultural issues instead of being full characters.

Serve as a plot device rather than people with their own goals and flaws.

💡 How to Write Diversity Well

1. Make characters fully fleshed-out individuals.

Diversity isn’t just skin-deep or a label — it’s about who the character is inside. When you create a diverse character, ask yourself:

What motivates them? What are their dreams and fears beyond their identity?

How do their relationships shape them?

What quirks, flaws, or contradictions make them human?

This makes them feel real, not like a “diversity prop.” For example, a transgender character could be a talented detective who struggles with self-doubt, a funny sense of humor, and complicated family ties — not just “the trans character.”

2. Avoid stereotypes and clichés.

Stereotypes reduce complex people to a handful of traits. They can be harmful and alienate readers who identify with those characters.

Do your research! Read books, watch films, and listen to podcasts created by people from the community you’re portraying.

Avoid relying on common tropes like the “magical Native American,” “angry Black woman,” or “promiscuous bisexual.”

Give your character individuality that breaks expectations — maybe they defy norms within their own culture or identity.

Example

Instead of the “model minority” trope, write an Asian character who struggles with their own passions, insecurities, and family dynamics, making them a well-rounded person, not just a stereotype.

3. Include multiple diverse characters.

Having just one “diverse” character often makes them a symbol rather than a person. Real communities are rich, varied, and nuanced — and your story should reflect that.

Introduce more than one character from the same or different backgrounds to show variety.

Show how their experiences differ even if they share an identity. For instance, two queer characters might have completely different outlooks based on age, culture, or personality.

This avoids the “token” feeling and creates a more believable world.

4. Let diversity shape the world naturally.

In real life, diversity influences culture, language, food, traditions, and social dynamics. Your story world should feel lived-in and authentic.

Think about how diverse backgrounds affect worldbuilding — from holidays and cuisine to language and fashion.

Show interactions between communities, including cooperation, conflict, and blending of cultures.

Don’t just “drop in” diverse characters without integrating their identities into the story’s social fabric.

Example

In a fantasy city, different kingdoms might reflect distinct cultures with their own customs and dialects — giving your setting richness and depth.

5. Don’t make identity the only thing about them.

A character’s ethnicity, gender, or sexuality is part of who they are — but not the whole story.

Their identity can influence their worldview and experiences, but they should have other defining traits too — like ambitions, fears, or talents unrelated to identity.

Avoid writing characters whose entire personality or plot revolves around their minority status.

This lets readers see them as complex individuals, not just representatives.

Example:

A Black engineer who’s passionate about robotics and has a dry sense of humor — their race is important, but so is their love for tinkering and problem-solving.

6. Listen and learn from feedback.

No one gets it perfect on the first try. Writing diverse characters is a learning process.

Seek out sensitivity readers from the communities you’re writing about. Their insights can catch unintentional biases, inaccuracies, or harmful stereotypes.

Be open to constructive criticism and willing to revise your work.

Remember: it’s better to listen and grow than to defend mistakes that could hurt readers.

Final Thought

Diversity is about inclusion and respect, not obligation or tokenism. When you write with empathy and intention, your story becomes richer — and your characters become unforgettable.

💬 Got tips or experiences writing diverse characters? Drop them below or tag me — let’s learn and grow together!

[digitalfishwish]

I wanted to put out a post asking if there are any black nonverbal or deaf/HoH people who use BASL who would be willing to consult on an animation project?

My junior year of art school starts this fall, and I will begin working of my junior-senior thesis 3D animation, where the main character is a black nonbinary person who, in the beginning and ending scenes, is seen communicating with sign language. I am white and more-or-less abled-hearing (I have Auditory Processing Disorder but I don’t know if that counts), but I know there are differences between ASL and BASL, and I wanted to have a lot of sensitivity around using this dialect accurately and respectfully.

The consultation would involve taking videos of your hands as you sign the ‘dialogue’ I have written, which would then be used as a reference in the 3D animation. I am a relatively broke student but I am willing to pay for your consultation. Please DM me if you’re interested!

Note: I apologize in advance if I have mistakenly used any offensive terms in this post, I tried to do a lot of research but I’m sure I have shortcomings and gaps in my knowledge.

[thejewitches]

Need a Jewish sensitivity reader, particularly for fantasy?

With a degree in English (with a specialization in fiction) and a wealth of knowledge on antisemitism (including topics like historic antisemitism, blood libel, and mythologizing of Jews), we’re happy to consult and provide feedback.

Feel free to reach out via our website! Feel free to send this to your author friends.

Jewitches.com

[gutsyjieun]

Hi, looking for sensitivity readers

My book is getting published soon and I need someone to go over some things with me to make sure I’m not being insensitive. It’s not a major plot thing but I still want to have insight and conversations as I know learning and growing does not just come from research. I’m a white girl but my book has two main characters of color therefore I specifically need:

Native Korean or half Korean person (any gender) who is fluent in the language

Native Hawaiian female (preferably)

Please anybody who is interested reach out to me! I don’t have a lot of money, but I am willing to come to payment agreement 🙏

[sandwormrp]

I wanted to know if anyone is interested/available to help me out as a sensitivity reader?

The Dune fic I’m currently writing focuses on a marriage between Paul Atreides and Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen, but the subplot of it is that Paul is a trans man. With it being my first time writing a trans character, I want to make sure I am giving him and the story the respect they deserve.

The aim of the story is to write a soft FeydPaul where Feyd defends his marriage to Paul and they overcome any obstacles that happen to come up.

I have the first chapter written up (1.4k words). I’d be more than happy to edit/read/review some of your fic in exchange if you’d like something in return for your help. Heck, I'd even write a fic for you. Anything to show my gratitude!

Thank you for reading 🥹💕

[flawedamythyst]

Amazing news!! I finally finished the modern no powers au, slow burn, marriage of convenience, Old Guard Nicky/Joe fic that I started in 2020!!!

You may remember hearing about it in one of my post popular Tumblr posts this year, complaining that I had completed the entire Arabic Duolingo course before I finished the fic.

It's 125k words in 31 chapters and I am very excited to finally post it and move on with my life.

However, I would absolutely love to get a sensitivity reader (or readers) for it first. Joe is Muslim and Tunisian and there is a lot of stuff with his family, as well as his feelings about his religion. In addition to Nicky being Italian, most of it is set in Milan, and he's leaving behind the priesthood and so having some Catholicism issues.

I am English, an atheist, and have been to Milan for less than a week 20 years ago. I did my best with Google but I am bound to have missed things, or not known to look them up. Please, if you are Tunisian, Muslim, Italian or Catholic, it would be so incredibly useful if you have time to read it over.

It's PG, no smut or violence, and mostly pining, banter and found family feels. The plot is basically 'hey I just met you, and this is crazy, but why don't we get married so you get Italian citizenship and I get someone to fund me through a nursing degree?'

Warning tags are Homophobia as a main plotpoint, Islamophobia and Racism as minor plot details, family rejection, and the traditional Booker tags of depression, grief, alcoholism and mention of suicidal ideation, although he's only a secondary character so they're not a focus.

I'm also up for a normal Beta if anyone is up for that, atm I am the only person who has had eyes on it.

And so you can see the kind of thing you'd be getting into, given the length of it, this is the first scene:

The first thing to catch Joe’s attention was the man’s <i>shoulders</i>.

Perfectly broad and tanned even for a white guy, glowing under the warm Maltese sun as they rose up from the ocean, water spilling down them. Joe was so taken with them that it was a moment before he realised that more beauty was being revealed as the guy straightened up and started to walk out of the sea. A set of biceps that also took Joe a moment to fully take in, a chest just as broad as the shoulders, narrowing to a trim waist and a set of hips that he could all too easily imagine curling his hands around. The weight of the water had dragged the guy’s bright red swimming shorts low enough to reveal the cut of his hipbones, glistening with water.

Joe was so taken with them that it took him a moment to realise that the guy had left the water behind and was now coming up the beach, which meant Joe could see just how short his shorts were. His thighs were long and strong, and just as tanned as his shoulders. Holy shit, this had to be some kind of vision of paradise, no man could be this hot in real life, surely?

The man stopped at a beach umbrella a few metres from the sun lounger Joe was sprawled on, and then bent over to grab his towel.

Joe made an actual noise at that, an involuntary guttural exclamation in his throat as he tipped his sunglasses down to make sure he got the best view.

“Jesus, Joe,” said Andy from beside him. “Have some dignity.”

“I’m going to marry that man,” said Joe in a dazed voice, not taking his eyes away for a second. 

The man stood back up, rubbing himself down with his towel, and Joe took the time to actually look at his face. Large eyes and prominent cheekbones and, okay, a lot of nose, but Joe could easily imagine waking up to that face on the pillow beside him. His hair was dark with water, slicked back from his face, and Joe wondered what colour it would dry to, if the strands around his face would fall over his forehead where Joe could push them away for him, fingers gliding over his head as he leaned in to kiss him.

“Wow,” said Nile, half-sitting up to take a look. “I know you said you were going to cut loose and get flirty, but I didn’t realise you’d just straight up turn into a total horndog.” She tipped her head to one side as she took in the vision of perfection. “I guess he’s kinda cute. Nice shoulders.”

“I would dedicate whole years of my life to worshipping those shoulders,” said Joe, barely even letting himself blink as the guy ran the towel roughly over his hair, leaving it damply stuck up.

“Okay, dial it back,” said Andy. “Or at least pretend to. This isn’t Tunisia, but staring at strangers on the beach like you’re picturing them in your favourite porn film is kinda skeevy.”

Joe made himself blink and tipped his sunglasses back on, settling back against the lounger. The guy was packing his stuff up anyway, pulling on a shirt that he didn’t bother buttoning and shoving his feet in a pair of flip flops. Joe was about to watch him walk away, and probably never see him again, but at least he’d be able to live the rest of his life knowing that such perfection existed in the world. Truly, Allah was great.

“Look how tiny those shorts are,” he said. “He has to be gay, right?”

Quỳnh, who had been half-asleep but never missed a chance to judge someone’s outfit, lifted herself on her elbows and inspected him for a moment. “Either gay or Italian,” she announced.

The guy threw his towel over his shoulder and strode off up the beach. Joe took his last look at that perfect arse, sitting up to watch it leave, then collapsed back down onto his sunlounger.

“I have been ruined for all other men,” he announced.

[face--the--strange]

Guardian Auctions for Fandom Trumps Hate

There are 9 Guardian auctions for @fandomtrumpshate this year! :D

As of February 25th, BIDDING IS OPEN! It ends on March 1st, 8pm ET.

Drama | Novel | RPF

♡ facethestrange | Fan art: Drawing/painting | up to E | $20 | Auction #1 | Auction #2 | Auction #3 | (All auctions are exactly the same and include all 3 categories - it's not one for each.)

Drama | Novel | Drama-Novel Hybrids

♡ coldbloodace | Written fanwork: Fan fiction, Fan poetry | Less than 5k words | up to M | $5 | Auction Link

♡ Emrys | Fan labor: Betaing, Sensitivity reading | 20-50k words | up to M | $5 per 5k words | Auction Link

Drama | Drama with Novel Influences

♡ tinypinkmouse | Written fanwork: Fan fiction | 5-10k words | up to E | $5 | Auction Link

Drama/Novel (Unspecified)

(The FTH tag is for both drama and novel, and these auctions don't specify if they offer both or just one.)

♡ Nany Agos | Fan art: Drawing/painting | up to M | $5 | Auction Link

♡ Stratisphyre | Written fanwork: Fan fiction | 20-50k words | up to M | $5 | Auction Link

♡ TriviasFolly | Written fanwork: Fan fiction | 5-10k words | up to E | $10 | Auction Link

[funkytoesart]

Sensitivity reader for ongoing webcomics?

Question for sensitivity readers! I'm currently working on a new webcomic, it's in traditional page-by-page format (think graphic novel, Not webtoon/scrolling format, at least in it's original formatting), and the first chapter will have around 50-75 pages in it, give or take. Future chapters may vary but will probably be around at least 75+ pages each.

I'm looking to hire a sensitivity reader who can review each chapter and give feedback/advice (One of the 2 main characters in this comic is a queer biracial teenage girl (half black, half white), so I'm looking for advice not just on any potential problematic portrayals of her character but also advice on cultural authenticity)

I'm still working on the sketches/color scripts for Chapter 1, so I'm not *quite* ready to hire someone yet (tho if you're a sensitivity reader who might fit my needs, pls reach out!!) but what I'd like to do hear how much I should plan to budget for a sensitivity reader for a *webcomic* project in particular, chapter by chapter (on average)?

there's a fair amount of info on google about hiring a sensitivity reader for prose/novels, but not quite so much that i could find specific to visual mediums like comics, hence why I'm making this post to inquire about how much people typically charge for this type of work specifically :)

TL:DR - How much do sensitivity readers charge for reviewing/giving feedback on *webcomics* in particular?

[redotter]

Squinting at the romani reddit subgroup

Is there a consensus regarding non-romani people writing romani characters? Because this is not the first time I run across this sentiment, although I also follow romani creators who are not only ok with it but offer advice on it.

I'm really conflicted now because on one side I don't want to be the preachy white savior going "my books include niche representation 💁‍♀️" but on the other hand... there actually is extremely little romani representation out there. Can you name any character except Esmeralda and Magneto (and his kids)? Why is adding to this pool a bad thing, as long as the writer is trying their best to be respectful and accurate about it?

Another thing is that romani people are all over the world and their experiences are wildly different. I'm sure an upper middle class USamerican romani person won't be able to write a romanian roma village character? In fact, a white romanian who lives in a romanian roma village would do a better job in this case. I have JUST read the post about how only allowing certain groups to make art about those groups is basically circling all the way back to agreeing with racists.

AND YET lots of romani people seem to agree that non-roma should not be able to write about them so there must be something to it? IDK I'll look more into it.

[usergreenpixel]

Guys, I think I’m going to bite the bullet and do some beta/sensitivity reading, 😂

(I know sensitivity reading is controversial, btw. I don’t want to harp on new creators, just contribute my prospective on issues and groups that I relate to, especially since some of these groups are more niche…)

Wish me luck, because I’ve never done freelance gigs before and I’m nervous af…

@amypihcs @theravenclawrevolutionary @idieonthishill @josefavomjaaga @maggiec70 @chickenmadam @saintjustitude @jefflion @18thcenturythirsttrap @michel-feuilly @pobodleru @on-holidays-by-mistake

[sbbarnes]

I am currently looking for a sensitivity reader for a rough draft of an M/M hockey romance. One of the MCs is a Black man who is a professional hockey player in his mid-thirties coming to terms with his own bisexuality after having repressed it for a long time.

This is a romance novel, so the tone is mostly pretty light and fluffy (there's accidental teenager acquisition, a marriage of convenience, and a bunch of hijinks about a guy who's pretending to be a hockey coach). I'd still like this character to have some introspection as to how his experiences of being Black in professional sports have made him hesitant to acknowledge other aspects of himself that make him different or cause negative media attention.

If that sounds like it interests you and you could give me some feedback, please hmu!

[icecreampotluck]

his, this is a fun little informational post! if you are writing a character that is a) ADHD(-coded) and b) clumsy, consider looking into

dyspraxia

also known as developmental coordination disorder, dyspraxia is a motor control and spatial awareness disorder that is HIGHLY comorbid with adhd. it can manifest as early as one year old, delaying a lot of the expected milestones in babies. beyond physical effects, dyspraxic people often struggle with ordering tasks in their brain, memory, and speech (but that one can be a combination of the ordering things AND the motor control). for the FIFTY PERCENT of dyspraxic people with adhd, these symptoms often are tied to the dopamine deficiency- i personally am clumsier when im sad or overwhelmed or understimulated (tonight i spilled flan juice in my crocs and then when i was walking home it was wet and sticky and awful and logically i knew if i walked faster i could get home and solve it but i physically couldn't move faster because the distress was aggravating my dyspraxia and so i had to focus very hard on Walking and not Falling) here are some things my dyspraxia makes me struggle with that I would love to see in characters like this!

handwriting! i basically can't do it at all, but for other it could be messy or a task they have to focus on

biking! balance is no bueno.

driving a car! a lot of dyspraxics don't have the spatial awareness to know where the car is

in the same vein: shopping carts.

holding things! i forget I'm holding them and then i let go unconsciously

knowing how big things are. I used to think cop shows were lying about people knowing how tall criminals were. now I have nightmares about witnessing a crime and being like "uhh. talller than me?" i also frequently pick a container that's way too big or way too small for the stuff I'm storing.

lefts and right! i still gotta do the finger L's.

another common things with dyspraxia is fatigue. we are putting more physical effort into the same tasks than non-dyspraxics. it's tiring, y'all.

if you have any questions, feel free to ask me! other dyspraxics, feel free to add on things that would make you feel Seen.