Frequently Asked Questions
Being an Authenticity Advocate
The network of Authenticity Advocates has been developed by Inclusive Minds to support real inclusivity in children’s books and to give young people from a diverse range of backgrounds an important voice.
This (Q&A-format) guidance material explains how it works, the benefits to different parties and how you can be a part of it.
What is the network?
The Authenticity Advocates network has been developed with the aim of making connections between children’s book creators wanting to ensure authentic inclusivity and people with valuable relevant experience.
The network of Authenticity Advocates comprises people each of whom has first-hand experience of a particular facet of diversity. The idea is that they can share their ideas and experiences with authors, illustrators and publishers to ensure that characters representing people like them are portrayed authentically. The Authenticity Advocates network particularly aims to represent young people from marginalised, under-represented or misrepresented groups and backgrounds.
What do we mean by ‘diversity’?
Inclusive Minds believes that ALL children should be represented in books. We consider ‘diversity’ to include, but not be limited to, disability, gender equality, ethnicity, race, culture, gender identity, sexuality, socio-economic background, religion and family structure. Inclusive Minds believes all books can be ‘inclusive’ and all children should be represented in the children’s book landscape.
Who can join the network?
Any person with an interest in seeing better representation of diversity in books and with lived experience can join the network. Most Authenticity Advocates are young adults (but the network also includes some younger people, older adults, parents, carers, entire families and youth workers). All of them have important first-hand knowledge of particular facets of diversity, many of then intersectional, and a genuine interest in sharing their expertise and experience to help enhance children’s books.
How does it work?
A book creator (such as an author or publisher) contacts us seeking input or advice on a new book. Using a simple form, they supply some basic information about the book and the aspect on which they particularly want help. They are usually seeking support to ensure the authentic depiction of a particular character. Sometimes they may have specific questions about this, while in other cases they may just want someone to help them create a back story, have a conversation about plot, read an early draft of a manuscript or look at some initial sketches. Inclusive Minds sends a summary of the request out to the network of Authenticity Advocates via a mailing list. Any Authenticity Advocates who wishes to be involved (i.e. who feels that they have relevant experience which means that they may be able to help) responds to Inclusive Minds. The book creator selects who they would like to work with and Inclusive Minds then connects the two parties.
Is being an Authenticity Advocate the same as being a sensitivity reader?
In a word, NO. However, the role of anAuthenticity Advocate can sometimes be misinterpreted as a ‘sensitivity reader’, and sensitivity reading is sometimes even portrayed as censorship. Sensitivity reads usually takes place on an almost finalised manuscript towards the end of the publishing process. In contrast, Authenticity Advocates are connected with book creators earlier in the process enabling them to gain a vital insight into lived experience to help them ensure authenticity.
What are the benefits to Authenticity Advocates?
Participation in the network can offer an Authenticity Advocates a unique chance to be involved in working on a children’s book. This can be an empowering experience, as well as allowing them to gain insight/experience of the book industry. Authenticity Advocates can opt to be credited for their input, for example with an acknowledgement in the finished book (please see the section below on risks involved with this). They may also receive signed books, invitations to launches and other perks.
Authenticity Advocates are always compensated financially for their input based on the level of input and the length of the book.
How can I become an Authenticity Advocate?
Inclusive Minds is keen to hear from any young people (or families, parents, carers or youth workers) with a willingness to share their knowledge by becoming an Authenticity Advocate. Joining simply entails filling out a form so that we can add you to the database and mailing list, through which we will share any requests we receive from authors, illustrators or publishers for you to consider.
How do Authenticity Advocates and creators communicate?
Inclusive Minds will introduce the two parties via email. The two parties are asked to continue to keep Inclusive Minds informed and copied into any emails as the dialogue progresses. Sometimes input/consultation may then take place through virtual meetings, and in some cases both parties may agree to meet and discuss a project in person.
What if I am under 18?
Please note that if you are under the age of 18, all contact with authors and publishers must always take place via a parent or guardian. To this effect, Inclusive Minds will only share the parent/guardian’s details with the creator and asks that you under no circumstances communicate directly with the client person or meet them without a parent/guardian present. Please note: It is the responsibility of the parent/carer to ensure this, once Inclusive Minds has made the initial introduction.
What commitments are involved in being an Authenticity Advocate?
As an Authenticity Advocates, we ask you to:
Look out for any requests we send out.
If there are any that are directly relevant to your experience and on which you think you could help, send us a paragraph or two explaining why you are suited to the project.
Keep details of any projects you work on strictly confidential.
Notify us if there are any changes in your contact details or ability to participate in the project.
Provide feedback on the experience of being an Authenticity Advocate and notify us of any problems or concerns.
Keep us informed as the project develops.
Look out for any other people who might wish to join the network.
Read the guidance about what is expected from each publisher package and commit to providing the level of detail requested.
What happens if I no longer wish to be an Authenticity Advocate?
You can notify us at any time if for any reason you would like to be removed from the network, either temporarily or permanently.
Can the Authenticity Advocates role involve public speaking?
Yes, some of our Authenticity Advocates are interested in representing Inclusive Minds by taking part in public speaking and media opportunities. You can also provide quotes. Authenticity Advocates (when they were known as Inclusion Ambassadors) have already appeared on national television (such as Newsround), on the radio (including Radio 4), taken part in literary festivals and been interviewed by national press (including the Guardian).
What risks are involved with being an Authenticity Advocate?
The work of Authenticity Advocates can sometimes be misinterpreted as sensitivity reading. In turn, it can also be portrayed as censorship. Whilst we take every opportunity to reiterate that work with Authenticity Advocates is about collaboration with book creators to ensure authenticity, this is still occasionally misconstrued and portrayed in a negative light in the mainstream media.
As an Authenticity Advocates, it is important you remain aware that if you agree for your name to be included in book acknowledgements or share that you are an Authenticity Advocate via Inclusive Minds on social media, there is a chance that you could be approached by journalists or have your name used in articles (whether approached or not). We can support with providing a standard response to journalists, but we have no control over what they include in articles.
Of course, you can remain entirely anonymous in projects and ask for connections that are made not to share your name, and if you do want to consider promoting the work you do we can talk through the risks that could be associated with this in more depth.