Learn more about cultural accuracy editing in this article by KAA Senior Editor Hannah Gómez, featured in Publishers Weekly’s Book Publishing Almanac 2022. Find answers to frequently asked questions and concerns here.
Ensure your manuscript is accurate, authentic, and free from harmful stereotypes
Cultural Accuracy & Sensitivity Editing (CASE) (also known as Sensitivity, Authenticity, Diversity, or Targeted Expert Reading) involves vetting a book, manuscript, or other document for issues of (mis)representation, bias, stereotypes, and a range of other factors that may be deemed harmful or antagonistic to a person or group.
Learn more about cultural accuracy editing in this article by KAA Senior Editor Hannah Gómez, featured in Publishers Weekly’s Book Publishing Almanac 2022. Find answers to frequently asked questions and concerns here.
Read testimonials from bestselling authors, publishing executives, cultural institutions, and other CASE clients here.
Cultural Accuracy & Sensitivity Editing (CASE) (also known as Sensitivity, Authenticity, Diversity, or Targeted Expert Reading) involves vetting a book, manuscript, or other document for issues of (mis)representation, bias, stereotypes, and a range of other factors that may be deemed harmful or antagonistic to a person or group.
Learn more about cultural accuracy editing in this article by KAA Senior Editor Hannah Gómez, featured in Publishers Weekly’s Book Publishing Almanac 2022. Find answers to frequently asked questions and concerns here.
Read testimonials from bestselling authors, publishing executives, cultural institutions, and other CASE clients here.
We do full manuscript markup and write an editorial letter with a special focus on the areas of marginalization, diversity, localization, or other concerns you identify. Sample editorial notes are available by request.
We do full manuscript markup and write an editorial letter with a special focus on the areas of marginalization, diversity, localization, or other concerns you identify. Sample editorial notes are available by request.
Traditional editors can help you with your commas and apostrophes, but regional dialects, local patois, or hybrid languages require deeper knowledge. African American Vernacular English (AAVE), Spanglish, and Jamaican patois are just some examples of linguistic families that have specific grammars and cadences to be mindful of and that we have edited for clients. Sample editorial notes are available by request.
Traditional editors can help you with your commas and apostrophes, but regional dialects, local patois, or hybrid languages require deeper knowledge. African American Vernacular English (AAVE), Spanglish, and Jamaican patois are just some examples of linguistic families that have specific grammars and cadences to be mindful of and that we have edited for clients. Sample editorial notes are available by request.
How can you respectfully and authentically create characters, worlds, and plotlines that reflect diverse cultures and peoples? Plan your IP and licensed product lines with publishing professionals who understand cultural sensitivity, diversity, and inclusion.
How can you respectfully and authentically create characters, worlds, and plotlines that reflect diverse cultures and peoples? Plan your IP and licensed product lines with publishing professionals who understand cultural sensitivity, diversity, and inclusion.
Breathe new life into your catalog with the help of editors with deep knowledge of literary history, awareness of current and upcoming trends and cultural shifts, and, of course, expertise in various marginalized identities and experiences. We don’t just Find + Replace With Political Correctness–when you bring your backlist to us, we offer you targeted, specific advice and guidance on everything from editorial to marketing positioning to new covers unique to your backlist and stakeholders.
Breathe new life into your catalog with the help of editors with deep knowledge of literary history, awareness of current and upcoming trends and cultural shifts, and, of course, expertise in various marginalized identities and experiences. We don’t just Find + Replace With Political Correctness–when you bring your backlist to us, we offer you targeted, specific advice and guidance on everything from editorial to marketing positioning to new covers unique to your backlist and stakeholders.
Are you ready for your English-language text to hit the US market? We can help you determine whether Americanization is necessary, and then we can provide you with the editorial service to get it there.
Are you ready for your English-language text to hit the US market? We can help you determine whether Americanization is necessary, and then we can provide you with the editorial service to get it there.
Partnering with Hannah and the MPH team has been a consistently positive experience. Their team’s exceptional attention to detail and commitment to cultural accuracy is commendable. MPH sensitivity editors are not only thorough but also incredibly perceptive and the value they’ve added extends beyond the pages, fostering a deeper understanding and respect for diverse narratives and for authors writing outside of their lived experience. I strongly endorse their services to any writer seeking to enhance their manuscript with conscientious and respectful representation.
Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer, Hachette Book Group
I’m so happy that I moved forward with a Cultural Accuracy & Sensitivity Edit at MPH, so my book could be more inclusive and resonate with a wide range of readers. They spent time making sure they found the best reader who could address my concerns and personal blindspots. My reader shared clear comments and provided great alternative words and phrases to explore using instead. I also loved the helpful resources and links to articles to provide me with more context and education. I not only have a better book because of a CASE, but I also feel like a better human. I have been recommending this service to my friends and clients because I truly believe all authors should have a Cultural Accuracy Edit before sharing their work with the world.
Bestselling author of Simple Green Smoothies (Rodale Books) and She Builds (Harper Business)
MPH provided the BMA with knowledgeable, thoughtful outside readers to ensure our label copy was as accurate, clear, and sensitive as possible. Our presentation of complex topics benefited from the support of readers who were not just subject matter experts in the topic, but also attuned to the specific needs of museum visitors.
We believe books should be authentic, original, and deeply human. That’s why we never use AI to generate original content. Writing a great book—especially something deeply personal or creative—requires more than algorithms or pre-programmed prompts. It takes a real writer’s human intuition, empathy, and creativity to know when and how to ask the right questions and capture your voice in a way that resonates with your readers.
We believe books should be authentic, original, and deeply human. That’s why we never use AI to generate original content. Writing a great book—especially something deeply personal or creative—requires more than algorithms or pre-programmed prompts. It takes a real writer’s human intuition, empathy, and creativity to know when and how to ask the right questions and capture your voice in a way that resonates with your readers.
Our experienced cultural accuracy editors will help you elevate your book and give you peace of mind that you’re not causing harm to your readers.
Certification and accreditation happen when stakeholders in an industry or discipline come together to determine standards and form a governing body to oversee them. There is no governing body or certifying agency for any aspect of book publishing, including sensitivity reading or cultural accuracy editing. There may be individuals purporting to offer certification, but they are not recognized in any formal way.
Cultural accuracy editors are, in many ways, signing up to be triggered, retraumatized, or hurt on purpose. It can be draining–yet immensely gratifying–work. They also do not have final say over your manuscript, so while they offer their expertise and suggestions, it is still your choice whether or not to incorporate them into your work. In some notable incidents, some authors and publishers used cultural accuracy editors’ names to imply endorsement or to avoid responsibility for harm caused, and that negative experience led many editors to stop engaging in this work. MPH serves as the go-between for the client and the cultural accuracy editor so that both parties feel supported and safe. More often than not, editors are willing to share some identifying information (e.g. first name or initials, general biographical information), and their names often appear in the acknowledgments in books they’ve worked on because clients were so pleased with their work!
If your book has already been acquired by a publisher, they should be paying. We are happy to help you make your case.
No, your nonfiction manuscript can benefit from this service as well. Language choices, accurate histories, cultural appropriation, and other such issues are not fiction-specific.
In a word, no. While some exceptions can be made for certain formats or subjects (e.g. one short story in a collection; textbooks that require different experts for different chapters; or revisions of work we’ve already looked at), we almost always require a full manuscript and full fee. This is partly because an extended narrative is not comprehensible if someone is only given random pages from all over the manuscript and partly because authors typically underestimate how much a side character appears or influences a story overall.
No, we can review illustrations, cover art, video game stills, and other visual materials. We also have editors who specialize in audiobook performance assessment. We can do live consults on Zoom or in person if you’d like guidance on projects that aren’t yet or never will be books, such as IP development, game world building, museum exhibits, curricula, or toys.
Yes, “sensitivity reading,” as well as “targeted expert reading,” “authenticity reading,” and “cultural accuracy editing” all describe the same service–analyzing a manuscript to ensure it is not perpetuating bias, harm, or stereotypes. We chose the term “cultural accuracy and sensitivity editing” at KAA to emphasize how extensive and professional our work is and to underscore our philosophy that this isn’t just about feelings, it’s about representing the world as it is.
Cultural accuracy editors will note when they encounter statements that are not factual (and explain them or provide evidence), but for heavily researched or technical documents like textbooks or white papers, you should not consider this a substitute for journalistic fact checking.
There’s a difference between being offended and being harmed. Marginalized groups are so called because they have routinely been disenfranchised, oppressed, discriminated against, and/or misrepresented for generations. That is real harm. “Offended” describes something more particular to a single person’s individual sensibilities, comfort, and history. Our work aims to reduce institutional harm on groups by helping authors identify and rework ingrained stereotypes, oppressive language, and unconscious bias they may not even be aware of. It is an act of social responsibility and good faith to seek input on your book. There is really no difference between engaging a cultural accuracy editor or engaging a doctor, police detective, paleontologist, or art historian to look over your manuscript. It’s all about getting feedback and guidance on specific subjects from subject experts. And by the way–we have editors with expertise in other “hot button” subjects, not just oppression and marginalization. Take a look at our website for a list!
Cultural accuracy editors are professionals taking time and drawing on years of academic, professional, and/or lived experience. They should be compensated the same way any other consultant would be paid. The $250 you are accustomed to seeing has been misquoted as a recommended flat rate when it was only ever meant as a floor for shorter works. Our fees are based on industry standards for other types of editing. A few hundred dollars for a novel-length work simply does not adequately cover the hours of work required (while all manuscripts and editors are unique, you could assume roughly 25 hours of work for a 50,000-word manuscript–at $250, that’s a paltry $10 an hour for highly skilled work!) and years of experience qualifying the editor for the work, nor KAA’s administration and quality control.
We know that the publishing industry can be daunting, especially for first-time authors, so we offer consultation and comprehensive support for traditional, hybrid, and self-publishing outlets. Most of our all-inclusive ghostwriting packages include an original and customized query letter or book proposal free of charge. This invaluable marketing tool will be used to promote your book to literary agents and publishers. Not sure how to find a reputable literary agent? We’ve got you covered—we’ll provide you with a list of genre-appropriate agents to whom you can send your query letter or proposal!
Your level of involvement is entirely up to you. You can opt to work closely with your ghostwriter, or simply provide them with basic information and let them do the rest of the work. This is your book, which means that you have final say on the content; how and when you give your input and approval is your decision. We’ll work with you to customize the process so that it fits your schedule and preferred working style.
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