Sensitivity reader and cultural editor
Jan de La Rosa
Reviewer, proofreader, developmental editor, sensitivity reader, authenticity editor, acquisition rights reader, bilingual Spanish-English translator based in Mexico City.
Not only do I have a master degree in publishing (on Trend forecasting for contemporary YA literature), but am very versed in the prestige plus entertainment values of the industry right now: I read to discover the potential for transmedia on your text, so you can amp up the fun/drama for a massive audience.
I work over characterization, implausibilities, authenticity and representation issues, out-dated wording, biases, stereotypes, and other inaccuracies where your manuscript can be improved over. Notes on potentially triggering situations and low points in depth will also be noted.
Work with me ✨
I've got experience of +15 years on publishing 📚
Exciting growth opportunities are coming to the industry and my expertise is relevant to stay abreast of market needs and develop product opportunities through strong representation and relevance.
Let me help you to connect with even more fans, key clients, and break into niche markets and platforms, even in times when audience habits are transforming consumption and demand. This is a great opportunity to know your readership, and cultivate our shared synergies. Here's your opportunity to tap into Big 5 publishing talent (I'm a 🐧), so get in touch!
Core services ✔️
- Developmental Editing
- Sensitivity/Authenticity Reading
- Cultural accuracy Reading
- Proofreading
- Rights Assessment (Spanish/Latin American markets)
Who is this for? 💡
My clients have manuscripts in the almost-final stages of completion and want to be sure their representation is respectful, believable and rich. They are:
Agents
Authors
Publishing houses such as Penguin Random House LLC, Simon & Schuster, HarperCollins Publishers, McMillan, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, DK Eyewitness UK, and subsidiaries
Why should you work with me? 🤓
My cross-section of identities include queer Mexican-American transmasc individual raised on the border (bilingual), living in Mexico City, pansexual, polyamorous, neurodivergent and fat.
I read fiction related to LGBTQ+ issues (including asexuality spectrum), gender identity (trans, non-binary, fluid, non-conforming), feminism (Latin-American movements and collectives), mental health (bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, BFRBs), neurodiversity (autism spectrum, ADHD), non-traditional relationships (open, poly, triads), Chicano culture, immigration issues, life on the border (extended family, parental, Mexican American), addiction (active substance abuse, rehab, relapse, sobriety). Cultural reading about Mexico (Center-North, indigenous roots, the impact of historical conflicts and migrations, regional identity, social realities in major urban centers), people, traditions and contemporary life.
Best if your project is fiction trade, young adult or new adult, but also open to short story, script or graphic novel.
TL;DR:
I read fiction/non fiction, scripts and graphic novels going over:
- LGBTQ+ representation
- Gender identity and expression
- Mental health themes
- Neurodiversity
- Non-traditional relationships
- Contemporary Latin American representation
- Chicano culture & border life (Mexican American)
- Immigration narratives
- Addiction and recovery
- Traditional and contemporary Mexico
What can you expect? 📚
🟨 Timeline: How long would the project take?
I'm booked ahead of any project, so consider I could work on yours around a month and a half later than the moment we get in touch. From there, expect at least a week and a half (10 business days) for any manuscript around 50K-70K. Take into consideration this is how long it takes for a text to be read and reported:
50,000 words / 7 days
70,000 words / 10 days
90,000 words / 15 days
🟨 Budget: How much will it cost?
Let's use a 70K manuscript as an example. My rate for sensitivity would be $550. Developmental editing is quite time-consuming, so I would like to check my schedule first before committing. Usually, my rate is around $17 per page. Proofreading would be $190.
Rates vary for shorter or longer projects, you'll get a personalized quote, don't hesitate to ask!
🟨 Deliverables: What would you get from me?:
• Full reading report
Full reading (by line, stopping-at-commas) review. You can expect at least 5 pages of content detailing situations, characters, tempo, rhythm, and even fact checking If it’s relevant to the plot. I’ll comb through your text at a micro level. Yes, I will know when you Googled things :P
Testimonials
I've been a sensitivity reader for as long as the term has existed, since 2015. My clients have been so satisfied, they've come back for more. Here are some examples of people saying sweet things about my work:
According to Kirkus Reviews one of my collaborations on developmental editing with Sarah J. Carlson is "Alive with vibrant, raw emotion." ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Big shout out to sensitivity reader Jan De La Rosa! She provided amazing feedback for a Mexican American teen secondary character in my WIP. Not only did she call out anything potentially problematic, she also gave great suggestions to enhance characterization 😀 👍🏾💪
Jan’s notes were unbelievably helpful and thorough. I would definitely reach out again for an authenticity read in the future
Krista Vitola. Editor. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Kudos to cultural and sensitivity reader, Jan. She does, indeed, have an eye for the macro and the micro in terms of story. I asked for a cultural and sensitivity reading of my latest novel and she was very thorough, going above and beyond giving me feedback in more areas than we agreed to. Her understanding of character and story dynamics is amazing.
Bruce Luck. Contemporary Young Adult Author
Jan was a sensitivity reader for a novella of mine with a Latina main character. The feedback they provided was over and above all my expectations, speaking not only to the heroine's characterization but also pointing out concerns with other elements that had been a worry in the back of my mind, but I hadn't addressed. I was able to remedy and re-stitch the narrative together in a way that made the characters and story much stronger and more compelling. I highly recommend working with Jan. You will not be disappointed with the care and critical eye they put toward your work.
Catrina Bell. Contemporary Paranormal New Adult author
Jan's sensitivity read was an investment that paid off more than I expected! I was impressed with the breadth of perspectives they were able to consider. The feedback pointed out key issues related to power I needed to revisit, backed by specific examples from the text, and even some ideas about how to address concerns. Everything was framed with thoughtful (and authentic!) encouragement about what was working. I thought I'd come away with a list of red flags, but instead I have an actionable tool to better honor my story's characters, to better connect with readers, and to better craft my future projects. I hope to continue to bring Jan on as a collaborator again!
Scott Artley, "Upmarket queer horror fiction" author
Do you still have questions? Check the extended information on the Sensitivity reading 101 Help Guide I made for you.
Are you ready? Hit me up! 💬
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Posted Sep 20, 2022
I will help you write better stories by ensuring that your characters celebrate and reflect the richness of today's society.
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