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This article is mainly for writers who are writing about issues outside their own direct experience – that is, writers who may need to hire a sensitivity editor.

Some examples of a writer who is going to need a sensitivity editor are: a cis person who has created a transgender or gender diverse character in their novel. Someone who has written a character whose culture or background is different to theirs into their story. A writer who is not Deaf or autistic who has created a Deaf or autistic character. Etc. 

What is sensitivity editing

What is sensitivity editing, and is there a difference between a “sensitivity editor” and a “sensitivity reader”? Find out here.

One of the tenets of any professional editor is “do no harm” (to the reader or the author).

When the content of a book includes content that the writer knows very little about, sensitivity editing is important because:

• if the author/publisher hires an appropriate sensitivity editor, then does what the sensitivity editor suggests, this will prevent harm (misinformation, racism, stereotyping) being inflicted by author/publisher on the minority group represented in that book, and
• the practice of hiring and really listening to sensitivity editors will lead to more accurate representation of minority groups, therefore better understanding in the mainstream of those minority groups, and
• better understanding by more authors and publishers and the reading public will lead to more knowledge and respect, and less discrimination.

Why hire a sensitivity editor to check your manuscript?

If you hire a sensitivity editor to check any content you have written that is about something you haven’t directly experienced or known, they can make sure that the content is:

• accurate – in terms of the language used, information presented, spelling of non-English language words, capitalisation, descriptions
• not discriminatory, racist, “othering”, or stereotypical – that is, not offensive or promoting discrimination or hate
• not appropriating someone else’s story or words (verbal or written) without their permission
• not appropriating someone’s culture or knowledge system; that is, the sensitivity editor will comment on whether the writer has the authority to write about that particular topic in that way.

Part of the sensitivity editor’s role is to advise the writer whether there is any content they do not have the authority to comment on – that is, whether the writer needs to ask  another sensitivity editor needs to review that content.

Some legal reasons for hiring a sensitivity editor: I am currently writing this article now so – watch this space!

FYI: Sally-Anne’s experience in hiring sensitivity editors

As a writer and editor with a White Settler background, over the past few years Sally-Anne has:

• hired appropriate sensitivity editors to give her feedback on her own work
• referred writer clients to a sensitivity editor outside her own team of editors
• delegated jobs to the appropriate sensitivity editor (contractor) on her team to conduct  sensitivity edits of clients’ manuscripts, and collaborated with the sensitivity editor to produce the sensitivity edit/feedback report
• In December 2024 Sally-Anne participated in the True Tracks: Indigenous Copyright and IP for editors workshop by Terri Janke & Company, where she learned more about how to be a responsible, inclusive editor and writer
• In May 2026 Sally-Anne undertook IPEd training in diversity in relation to mentoring editors who are First Nations or People of Colour, which further developed her understanding of diversity and sensitivity, including sensitivity editing.