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CONSULTING

Sensitivity reading · Authenticity reading · Diversity editing · Plain-language editing · Editorial consultation

An Olympia typewriter with paper reading "Write something" on a marble surface

I’m a sensitivity reader, authenticity consultant, diversity editor, researcher and editor working across books, manuscripts, essays, articles, games, scripts, educational materials & other creative projects.

My work focuses on disability, neurodivergence, Latinx & Mexican American representation, first-generation American experiences, and the culture, geography, and history of the South Texas Borderlands.

You don't need to know what kind of editorial service you need before contacting me. Tell me what you're working on, what you're concerned about, the problems you seem to have and where you're stuck. Email for rates and let me know more about your project needs.

I have experience working in many forms, including:

  • Novels and manuscripts
  • Short stories/ short story collections
  • Creative nonfiction
  • Essays
  • Articles
  • Memoir and personal writing
  • Scripts and screenplays
  • Video game scripts
  • Character profiles (text & image profiles)
  • RPG and game materials
  • Educational materials
  • Lesson plans
  • Homeschooling resources
  • Newsletters
  • Travel writing
  • Food writing
  • Book and magazine materials
  • Commercial and promotional scripts
  • Small-press publications
  • Zines and independent publications

Areas of expertise include:

  • Disability & Neurodivergence
  • Disability representation
  • Disabled characters
  • Neurodivergent characters
  • Disability culture
  • Disability-related language
  • Stereotypes and common misconceptions
  • Representation in fiction and nonfiction
  • Disability and accessibility in educational or creative materials
  • Latinx & Mexican American Representation
  • Mexican American culture
  • Latinx representation
  • First-generation American experiences
  • Family and community dynamics
  • Cultural identity
  • Spanglish
  • Bilingual and bicultural experiences
  • Cultural assumptions and stereotypes
  • South Texas Borderlands

I offer geographical and cultural authenticity assessment for projects set in South Texas and the Borderlands. This can include:

  • Geography and place
  • Regional language
  • Spanglish
  • Local cultural references
  • Mexican American history
  • Community dynamics
  • Regional customs
  • Food & everyday cultural details
  • Historical context
  • The difference between generic representations of Texas, Mexico & the Borderlands

I answer the following questions you might have about your project:

  • Who is represented?
  • Who is missing?
  • How are marginalized characters positioned within the story?
  • Are characters reduced to their identities / diagnoses?
  • Are stereotypes being repeated unintentionally?
  • Does the narrative give marginalized characters agency?
  • Does the language reinforce assumptions or stereotypes?
  • Are different identities being treated as interchangeable?
  • Does the representation make sense within the historical / cultural context of the story?

what I do

One of my particular areas of expertise is the South Texas Borderlands, including regional culture, language, history, geography, and the experiences of communities in the region.

I can also look at the use of Spanglish and the differences between generic "Latino" representation and the specific cultural realities of Mexican American and South Texas communities.

Sensitivity Reading


I provide sensitivity reading focused on representation and the experiences of marginalized people, particularly disability and neurodivergence.

A sensitivity read can examine how characters, experiences, dialogue, relationships, terminology, and story elements may come across to members of the communities being represented.

A sensitivity reading is usually done when your manuscript is finished and has already gone through editing. But it can also be done through the writing process if questions arise during writing.

Diversity Editing


Diversity editing examines representation across a project rather than focusing exclusively on one character or identity.

This type of editing is usually done when you're finished with your draft and before your final editing process, since this process might require rewrites and edits that can change the plot, characters or storyline.

Authenticity Assessment


Authenticity assessment looks beyond whether something is technically "correct."

I examine whether the cultural, regional, historical, linguistic, or social details of a project make sense within the world being portrayed.

This can include questions of language, family dynamics, cultural practices, geography, community, history, class, identity, and the small details that make a setting or character feel like they actually belong there.

An assessment is usually done before a final draft is done. It's part of the editing process.

Editorial Consultation

Sometimes you don't need someone to edit the entire manuscript.

You may need someone to sit down with you and talk through a character, scene, plot problem, cultural question, research problem, or representation issue.

Consultations can be useful during planning and drafting, before a manuscript is complete, or after you've received other editorial feedback and aren't sure what to do with it.

SEND ME A SHORT MESSAGE TELLING ME ABOUT YOUR PROJECT, THE CHALLENGE YOU'RE FACING, TO INQUIRE ABOUT MY CREATIVE WORK OR SERVICES.

thecripkitchen@proton.me