Diversity Reader Directory

Marginalized Groups: Disability (Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 1)

Preferred Genres: YA and Christian Fiction

Does NOT Read For: Erotica, Sex, Violence, and/or Language

Marginalized Groups: Disability (Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Scoliosis, Chronic Pain, Sleep Apnea, Minor Depression), Grief/Loss

Experiences/Education: BA in Psychology, minor in Anthropology; worked with low-income population; worked in the nonprofit sector serving people with disabilities – with a focus on accessible affordable housing

Writing/Editing Experience: 10 years of writing experience

Preferred Genres: Mystery, suspense, thriller, psychological, bildungsroman, dystopian, crime/detective, humor, satire, spy fiction, short story, realist literature, romance, tragicomedy, travel, self-help, classic

Do NOT Read For: Fantasy, Sci-Fi, gothic fiction, historical fiction, horror, magic realism, mythology, superhero fiction, swashbuckler, tall tale, theological fiction, western

Marginalized Groups: Physically Disabled (disability: Charcot-Marie-Tooth; ventilator-dependent quadriplegic), & Moderate Hearing Loss

Experience/Education: I lived in Japan when I was a kid, and have traveled to London and several US cities. I’m currently at Columbia University working on a Biology degree and about to start a second major in East Asian Studies. I hope to go to grad school for genetics. I operate my computer with a combination of eye tracking and voice recognition software

Writing/Editing Experience: Written several stories, a few which have been in publications such as Journal of Bioethics & Hereditary Neuropathy Foundation 

Preferred Genres: Action and adventure, classics, graphic novels, science fiction, fantasy, historical fiction, literary fiction, short stories, women’s fiction, biography and autobiography, essays, history, and memoir

Do NOT Read For: Erotica, sexual assault, and graphic violence are NOT my favorite subjects to read about, but I’d put up with some in service to a larger story. Absolutely no CP or anything close to it, though

Marginalized Groups: Latinx culture, Chicanx culture, feminism and gender issues, mental illness (anxiety and depression), and disability: Congenital Muscular Dystrophy (wheelchair user and ventilator dependent)

Experience/Education: Currently pursuing a BA in Communications with a concentration in Public Relations at Southern New Hampshire University

Writing/Editing Experience: Wrote a column for a local clinic newsletter

Preferred Genres: Paranormal/thriller, science fiction, romance, and memoirs

Do NOT Read For: History

Marginalized Groups: Disability; I am a full time wheelchair user (since I was a child); I employ Personal Assistants for everyday support with physical tasks 24/7

Experience/Education: Major in Arabic and English (languages and literatures), Master in literary translation (English to Italian), currently I am an educator and activist for disability rights and disability representation on media

Writing/Editing Experience: I have been writing on my own blog on disability justice and representation since 2015. The blog is coauthored with my sister and I write for other blogs or magazines on these topics

My blog: http://wittywheels.blogspot.com/

Preferred Genres: Any kind of fiction; essays

Marginalized Groups: Puerto Rican, latinx, emigrant, Caribbean, fat representation

Experience/Education: Born and raised in Puerto Rico. Emigrated to the States a few years ago

Writing/Editing Experience: I write own voices books. Specifically Puertorrican latinx characters

Website: www.esthermarieandujar.com

Preferred Genres: Fantasy, Romance

Do NOT Read For: Erotica, Horror/Gore

Marginalized Groups: Hispanic, Recovering Alcoholic/Drug Addict

Preferred Genres: YA, fantasy, sci-fi, and open to others

Marginalized Groups: Disability (Spinal Muscular Atrophy type 2)

Experience/Education: BA in a program called Creative Industries, as well as a minor in Disability Studies. I have lots of experience working with folks with disabilities in the community arts based sector and model my writing / daily living around the social model of disability

Writing/Editing Experience: I did a specialization in Professional Communications during my undergrad, so I have experience writing and editing in that capacity. I also do freelance social media / design work, which requires that I regularly write posts and create online content for local businesses

Preferred Genres: Romance and erotica, thriller, young adult / teen fiction, drama, biographies/ memoirs

Do NOT Read For: Science fiction and fantasy are not my strong suits, although I am definitely open to reading for it

Marginalized Groups: Polynesian (Native Hawaiian), queer/bisexual, agnostic but spiritual

Writing/Editing Experience: I am a soon to be published author and I have experience mentoring other writers, as well as being a beta-reader and critique partner.

Website: www.bairklos.com

Preferred Genres: Fantasy, sci-fi, thriller, romance

Do NOT Read For: Pedophilia/relationship between a minor and an adult

Marginalized Groups: Muscle dystrophy (Rigid Spine Syndrome type 1), 24/7 respirator/ventilator user, lost a sibling and a close friend, & I have been a victim of bullying 

Experience/Education: I have done workshops about inclusion in primary schools, & I’m a dog trainer

Preferred Genres: Adventure, drama, horror, thriller, comedies

Marginalized Groups: Disability-Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Experience/Education: Applied Linguistics, major in Italian and Spanish language, disability and life stories

Writing/Editing Experience: I have been published (fortcoming Feb 2021) in two anthologies about living with disability, I am a writer and blogger reviewing books and writing articles about disability.

Website: https://www.chantelspeaks.com

Preferred Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Marginalized Groups: Disability (Muscular Dystrophy, Epilepsy, Depression, Anxiety), LGBTQIA+

Experience/Education: 3+ years working in disability community

Writing/Editing Experience: Several publications

Preferred Genres: Any

Do NOT Read For: “R” rated content and sexual assault scenes

Marginalized Groups: Disability (Spinal Muscular Atrophy, anxiety disorders, & other invisible disabilities), Queer/LGBTQIA

Experience/Education: Long-time Activist

Writing/Editing Experience: I’m a published writer and freelance copywriter

Website: www.karleia.com

Preferred Genres: Any

Marginalized Groups: Jewish, chronic illness, hidden disability/neuro-diverse (EDS, Autism, Anxiety, ADD, PTSD), and abuse survivor

Experience/Education:Jewish communal professional and writing professional

Writing/Editing Experience: Writer and writing teacher/coach. Published author. I do developemental editing and also assisit writers through the self publishing process.

Website: www.bonnigoldberg.com

Preferred Genres: childrens, middle grade, YA, historical fiction, women’s fiction, non-fiction

Do NOT Read For: erotica, rape/sexual assault scenes, graphic violence, horror

Marginalized Groups: Black, Queer and Trans (specifically nonbinary/agender), Disabled (Primary Sjögren’s Syndrome with Reynaud’s Phenomenon, Endometriosis, PMDD), Neurodivergent (late-diagnosed ADHD and self-diagnosed autism), Low-Income

Experience/Education: Survivor of SA

Writing/Editing Experience: I’m a poet—my work has been featured in The Studio Museum of Harlem, Frontier Poetry, beestung mag, Shade Literary Arts, Peach Mgzn, voicemail poems, Forward Together, Women & Performance: a journal of feminist theory, and elsewhere. I am a poetry editor at Muzzle Magazine. In 2021, I was the Citizen Literary Fellow at Graywolf Press, where I worked under renown editors to develop new titles, review manuscript submissions, and help determine winners of international fiction competitions. My work has been in the finals/semi-finals or nominated for contests from PANK, Frontier Poetry, Platypus Press, Diode Editions, Cave Canem, Corporeal Writing, and Best of the Net. I’ve been reading for literary magazines for over 7 years.

Website: thewellorganizedcreative.com

Preferred Genres: I will read any genre, but I prefer not to read horror. I have a lot of specialized experience with reading poetry and I have an interest to read scripts for any kind of media

Do NOT Read For: Rape/sexual assault scenes, graphic violence—namely, gore, racialized and queer/transphobic violence, and police brutality