2024/25 Sensitivity Readers

2024/25 SENSITIVITY READERS

Let us guide you on your path to publication and get your book and
stories publication and reader ready.

Brenna Bailey-Davies (she/her), owner of Bookmarten Editorial, offers expert sensitivity reading services to ensure authentic, respectful narratives. She provides compassionate feedback that enhances character depth and accuracy. Brenna’s dedication to diversity and inclusion, combined with her editorial expertise, makes her an ideal partner for creating impactful stories. She is an avid reader, writer, traveler, and home baker, and she lives with her game-loving spouse and their cuddly fur-baby.

Areas of expertise: bisexuality and pansexuality, queer experiences within Christianity (and after leaving Christianity), chronic depression, suicidal ideation, caring for someone with Alzheimer's disease

Kaitlyn Bitternose (she/her)
As a First Nation's and 2SLGBTQIA+ woman, I offer a unique perspective shaped by diverse experiences. With a background in writing, I understand the power of storytelling to foster understanding. I'm dedicated to offering genuine, firsthand experiences to support you throughout your writing journey.

Sarah Clark (they/them)
Bringing together my academic expertise and lived experiences, I offer cultural consultation and authenticity reading for Indigenous/Native American issues (I'm an enrolled Nanticoke); trans, LGBTQ+, and non-binary/genderqueer themes; and portrayals of characters who are autistic, have eating disorders, are neurodivergent, mentally ill, and/or disabled, and who are trauma survivors. I have experience with literary fiction, historical fiction, romance, memoir, sci-fi and horror, scripts, and comic books/graphic novels, as well as with books for young readers. My educational background is in English literature, Russian language and culture, international relations with an emphasis on global arts, and history.

Areas of expertise: Indigenous/Native American topics; LGBTQ+ (transgender, non-binary, queer, bisexual) characters and themes; Mental Illness (PTSD, eating disorders, anxiety, depression, OCD); Neurodiversity (ADHD, autism, selective mutism); Disability (physical/chronic illness), Sexual Assault / Domestic Violence, Trauma

Ashley Holloway (she/her)
Ashley is a nurse who teaches writing classes and healthcare leadership in Calgary, AB. With a Master of public health, a graduate diploma in global leadership, and further studies in intercultural communication and international development, Ashley has lived and worked in many different corners of the world in various contexts. Combined with her knowledge of trauma-informed practice, these experiences inform the lens through which she views the world. A Pushcart nominee, she writes in a variety of genres with work appearing across Canada and the US and has co-authored three books. Ashley serves as Editorial Director for Unleash Creatives.

Areas of expertise: Trauma-informed, gender inequality, feminism, cultural fluidity/bias/stigmatization, mental illness, correct representation of health/medical issues, neurodivergence, decoloniality, expatriate experience, body positivity/dysmorphia.

Calvin Jim (he/him)

Nominated multiple times for the Prix-Aurora Award, most recently as author of the short stories “Rose’s Arm,” and “Breathe,” Calvin D. Jim is a Calgary lawyer-turned-writer whose Asian-inspired tales have appeared in numerous anthologies and publications. As a person of Chinese and Japanese descent, I will guide you through the pitfalls of creating characters with those backgrounds and how to avoid common cliches and stereotypes. I am also aware of the myriad stories that come from these nations and have read extensively authors who reside there. As a Karate black belt, I can even help you create more realistic fight scenes.

Calvin can provide feedback on Chinese/Japanese characters and stories.

Lavinia Leon (she/her)
Lavinia is, in alphabetical order, autistic, doctor (academic and professional degrees), researcher, writer. She believes that the power of representation of neurodiverse characters can not only shape individual and societal perception well beyond the pages of papers and books, but build bridges across the so-called “double empathy gap” posited by academics (Milton, 2012) to describe the apparent struggle of autistic and non-autistic people to understand each other. She lives in Edmonton, from where she rejoices in watching the ongoing shift toward a truly inclusive, sensitive portrayal of neurodiversity in art and academia.

Jan Markley (she/her)
Jan can provide an authenticity/sensitivity read from her lived experience as a child with a congenital heart defect, and as an adult who has had multiple surgeries and medical interventions. She can read manuscripts (of any genre and for any audience) with characters who have congenital conditions, chronic health issues, invisible disabilities, medical trauma or are navigating ableism in their personal and professional lives.

Jan’s two novels for young readers are Dead Frog on the Porch (Gumboot Books 2009) which shortlisted for the Golden Eagle Children's Choice Book Award, and Dead Bird through the Cat Door (Gumboot Books 2010) which shortlisted for the inaugural John Spray Mystery Award.

Ado Nkemka (she/her)
I’m a multi-disciplinary writer (journalism, theatre, poetry), editor, and musician. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Mount Royal University; I’ve studied different social issues that involve the intersections of gender, class, neoliberalism, race and sexuality. I’ve written for CBC, Avenue Magazine, Best Health magazine, Mount Royal University and more.

As an editor, I believe it is ultimately up to the writer to decide whether or not to accept my suggestions. I indicate the strength of my suggestions; I then explain my rationale. My perspective may either be informed by personal experience or the current social climate.

Black issues (racism, colourism, being a first-generation Canadian/immigrant), neurodivergence (ADHD), gendered issues (as a cis-woman).

Cecilia Ortiz Luna (she/her)
As a sensitivity reader, I try to meet the draft on its own terms. I have a sharp nose for content that is racially offensive, tone-deaf or exoticizing, but I also recognize when said content should stay on the page to serve a larger literary purpose.
In complementing my voracious reading habit with a mindfulness of the current zeitgeist, I feel equipped to perform a sensitivity read on most issues that may appear in a manuscript.
I render feedback that strikes a balance between honest and helpful. A quick reader, I can provide expedited turnaround when requested.

I am able to competently perform sensitivity reading for various diversities but I am in my best element when reading for racial sensitivity.

Ting Pimental-Elger (she/her)
As a Sensitivity Reader and a compassionate human being, I am deeply committed to exploring the intricate interplay of language, culture, with a rich and messy background spanning over decades of literary creativity, I sometimes call it intuitive and abstracted, holistic, artistic expression across two continents. I possess the ability to critically analyze text and identify subtle biases, stereotypes, and misrepresentations.

My journey has been one of continuous evolution, challenged sometimes blocked eventually published in various academic journals and anthologies, as well as performances locally and abroad. Yet, I know that there is always more to discover, more to learn, and more to share.

Olivia van Guinn (they/them)
Olivia (they/them) is an experienced writer with publications in GRAIN, the /temz/ review, and The Queen's Quarterly, plus a forthcoming novel with At Bay Press. Among those publications are many provocative pieces about Asian-Canadian experiences, queer experiences, and chronic illness. They believe that quality writing should be worldly and authentic; the challenging process of disengaging from harmful yet pervasive stereotypes is key to writing that stands the test of time. They value tolerance, respect, and optimism.

Areas of Expertise: Asian-Canadian writing (I am a first-generation Vietnamese immigrant. I can speak on Vietnamese culture, and the broader experience of Asian people living in Canada/the USA). Queer writing (I am pansexual genderfluid. I am equipped to speak broadly on matters of marginalized genders, sexual orientations, and non-monogamy). Depictions of chronic physical and mental disorders (Crohn's Disease, depression, dissociation). Depictions of sex work. Intersectional perspectives across all applicable fields.