Should I “Stay in My Lane” as a Writer?
"Should I even write this?" This series of open ended questions can help you determine if you should write that project.
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Renee Harleston
- Mar 19
- 4 min
On Sensitivity Readers and Censorship: Why We Can't & Wouldn't Want To
Even though sensitivity readers are often blamed for censoring books this article tells you why we can't and why we don't want to.
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Renee Harleston
- Jan 10
- 2 min
Read With Us! Diverse Books of the Month
Every month we will select a title written by a historically marginalized author that features at least 1 marginalized character
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Hana Ali
- Jan 7
- 6 min
Muslims in the World of Magic
From Jinn to Islamic principles, what to consider if you want to write Muslims in magical worlds.
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Nathaniel Glanzman
- Dec 12, 2022
- 3 min
What to Expect When You Hire a Sensitivity Reader
Considering hiring a sensitivity reader? Here's what you can expect. From basic definitions, what does feedback entail, to cost and more
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Lauren Embling
- Nov 12, 2022
- 3 min
Writing with Disabilities: What I Wish I’d Known
As a writer with severe arthritis, productivity can be a struggle. These are the things I wish I’d known when I first started writing.
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Renee Harleston
- Sep 8, 2022
- 4 min
Making the Most Of Your Sensitivity Reader Feedback
Now that you've received feedback from your sensitivity reader, this helpful guide can get from comments to revisions.
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Shanice Felix
- Jul 16, 2022
- 4 min
Three Black Characters You Want to Avoid
Here are three warning signs you can use to determine if you should “avoid that Black character.” As in, rethink, reimagine, and rewrite.
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Nathaniel Glanzman
- May 20, 2022
- 4 min
Belonging and Growing Up Biracial
What does identity mean for biracial characters? Especially when how they look doesn't align with society's expectations.
150
Sossity Chiricuzio
- Jan 23, 2022
- 5 min
Disabled Characters: Avoiding the Tragedy or Inspiration Binary
Is your disabled character a fully realized person or simply a prop?
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Ennis Rook Bashe
- Nov 16, 2021
- 3 min
Writing Well-Rounded Nonbinary Characters
There's more to your nonbinary characters than pronouns and coming out stories. Read tips on how to write well-rounded nonbinary characters
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Gabriel CP
- Oct 18, 2021
- 6 min
Horror Clichés: Is it Scary or is it Bigotry?
Common horror cliches, how they are rooted in bigotry, and some tips on how to not perpetuate them.
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Hana Ali
- Sep 12, 2021
- 6 min
Writing the Hijab
A hijab is more than just a piece of cloth. Components of religion, culture, and agency must be considered when writing this character.
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Nathaniel Glanzman
- Aug 16, 2021
- 3 min
How to Ethically Kill Marginalized Characters
Here you are, writing the death scene for one of your marginalized characters. Have you considered the impact of this choice?
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Renee Harleston
- Dec 23, 2020
- 3 min
The Weight of "Dark"
Do me a favor. Open up your manuscript and search for the word "dark." What do you notice? Are you using it literally
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Renee Harleston
- Jul 12, 2020
- 2 min
Diverse Books Our Sensitivity Readers Love
Sensitivity Readers from the Writing Diversely Directory shared their favorite #ownvoices books and why they love them.
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Renee Harleston
- Sep 1, 2019
- 3 min
Avoiding Stereotypes - Revisited
When I started this blog (and still to this day) the top concern of authors I work with is is stereotypes and tropes. It's an important
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Renee Harleston
- Mar 10, 2019
- 2 min
Diversity and Inclusion Style Guides
Here is a list of style guides from journalistic societies and cultural groups to help you avoid offensive terminology. These guides not onl
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Renee Harleston
- Nov 25, 2018
- 2 min
Dismantling the White Default
When you avoid pointing out whiteness and put effort into to point out non-whiteness what you're doing is increasing the invisibility of
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Renee Harleston
- Oct 13, 2018
- 3 min
Finding an agent for your diverse book
Your agent should love your story and believe in it enough to pound the proverbial pavement to get it sold. With all the problems with...
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