Frequently Asked Questions
Working with Authenticity Advocates
The network of Authenticity Advocates has been brought together by Inclusive Minds to support authentic inclusion in children’s books and to give people from a diverse range of backgrounds an important voice.
This (Q&A-format) guidance material explains the programme, the benefits to different parties and how you can work with the Authenticity Advocates.
What is the network of Authenticity Advocates?
The Authenticity Advocate network has been developed with the aim of making connections between children’s book creators wanting to ensure authentic inclusion and people with valuable lived experience.
The network of Authenticity Advocates comprises young people (contact with under 18’s is through parents/teachers) young adults and authenticity consultants, each of whom has first-hand experience of a particular facet of diversity, and many have intersectional experience. The idea is that Authenticity Advocates can share their ideas and experiences with authors, illustrators and publishers to ensure that characters representing people with a similar lived experience are portrayed authentically. The Authenticity Advocate 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 access the network?
Anyone involved in creating a children’s book can send an enquiry to the network via Inclusive Minds. Most of the users are publishers, authors and illustrators. Due to the high demand for help, priority is given to books that are already commissioned or highly likely to be published.
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, the aspect on which they particularly want help and the level of support they require. The connection usually involves providing insight to ensure authentic depiction of a particular character. Sometimes they may have specific questions about this, or want support in creating an authentic back story, while in other cases they may just want someone to 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. 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. Inclusive Minds will send non-identifying details of those interested to the enquirer, and once they select the ambassador(s) they wish to work with, they wil be provided with a quote for the work. Once this is agreed, Inclusive Minds then connects the two parties.
What makes an Authenticity Advocate project work?
The key to the success of the Authenticity Advocates network is mutual value – both sides should reap the benefits. Good communication and mutual respect are paramount in achieving this. We also recommend that book creators contact the network at as early a stage as possible, as our experience shows that early input can prove transformational, whilst it can be difficult to effect real change in the later stages.
What does the network offer book creators?
For book creators, consulting the network of Authenticity Advocates can usefully complement other forms of research they will be undertaking to ensure authenticity. Initial ideas can be explored, a character back story created, early versions/sections of a manuscript read, feedback supplied, case studies developed, rough artwork checked, possible book covers or blurbs discussed.
As a book creator, how can I use the network?
To access the network, just complete the enquiry form and we will share your enquiry across the network to see whether anyone can help you.
Will book creators always receive input?
We cannot guarantee that the network includes Authenticity Advocates who can help with every specific request. However, the network continues to develop with the aim of covering as many areas as possible.
How much does it cost to access the network?
Enquiries submitted to the network will incur an initiation fee. This covers the admin costs associated with finding an appropriate Authenticity Advocate. To cover the costs of administering each request, the initiation fee is retained even if no connection is made. This fee enables us to keep this valuable network running.
Once Authenticity Advocates(s) for the project have been chosen, you will be provided with a quote for the work which covers payment to the Authenticity Advocates and monitoring and management of the project. Fees are based both on the type of feedback requested and the extent of the book.
Expenses should be covered for any face-to-face meetings.
The initiation fee should ideally be paid via the PayPal link on the form. If you are unable to facilitate a payment this way, please ensure you raise a PO (if necessary) immediately, as we won’t be able to share the request until a PO is a received or an invoice is raised. Once you have been connected with an Authenticity Advocate you will be invoiced for the balance to ensure that they are paid promptly once the work is completed, if necessary a PO should be raised before the connection is made.
How can creators make the experience as beneficial as possible to Authenticity Advocates?
We do ask all creators to look for any appropriate ways to thank and credit the Authenticity Advocates they liaise with. It may be possible to acknowledge the input they receive through an acknowledgment or credit in a book. It is essential to get confirmation from the Authenticity Advocates about whether they are happy to have their name included and check the wording with them as well as Inclusive Minds before finalising the text for print. We ask that at least one complimentary (ideally signed) copy of the book be sent to the Authenticity Advocates (as well as to Inclusive Minds). Invitations to book launches might also represent a good way of recognising the young person’s involvement and give Authenticity Advocates valuable experience and connections in the industry.
How do Authenticity Advocates and book creators communicate?
Inclusive Minds will introduce the two parties via email. The two parties are asked to continue to keep requested parties informed and copied into any emails as the dialogue progresses. Sometimes conversations 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 an Authenticity Advocate is under 18?
Please note that all contact with Authenticity Advocates under the age of 18 must always take place via a parent or guardian. To this effect, Inclusive Minds will only share the parent/guardian’s details with the client and asks that clients under no circumstances communicate directly with the young person or meet them without the parent/guardian present. Please note: It is the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure this, once Inclusive Minds has made the initial introduction.
What are the book creator’s responsibilities?
As someone who accesses the network, we ask you to:
Remember that the network is not a substitute for other forms of research, but rather aims to complement them.
Respect the Authenticity Advocates and their knowledge and experience.
Remember that each individual’s experience of a particular facet of diversity is valid but also bear in mind that one individual’s story is not representative of everyone else with experience of the same facet of diversity. Books need to reflect many different experiences and avoid the dangers of the single story.
Ensure the Authenticity Advocate can share their feedback, ideas and opinions safely, without judgement and, if desired or necessary, anonymously.
Respect that it is the Authenticity Advocates decision about how much of their personal lived experience they wish to share.
Remember that whilst the Authenticity Advocate will raise everything they see as a potential issue within the level of feedback commissioned, but it is the book creator’s responsibility and final decision in terms of what is implemented as a results of this connection.
Update the Authenticity Advocate about what has been implemented as a result of the connection.
Remember that Authenticity Advocates are NOT sensitivity readers and avoid referring to them as such.
Look for as many ways as possible to acknowledge the help you receive.
Keep the Authenticity Advocate's name and any other details confidential unless given their explicit permission in writing.
Ensure you communicate via the parent/guardian if the young person is under 18.
Look for ways to support Inclusive Minds and promote our work.
What do I need to remember?
Working with an Authenticity Advocate does not constitute an endorsement or approval from the Advocate or Inclusive Minds and you should not promote it as such.
Inclusive Minds does not get involved in the feedback or consultancy conversations, or read any notes or manuscripts unless something is explicitly escalated.
If connected, you will be liaising with marginalised (and often young) people, who may be vulnerable, and should be sensitive when asking for specific information about their lived experience.
Can the Authenticity Advocate role involve public speaking?
Yes, some of our Authenticity Advocates are willing to be approached to represent Inclusive Minds by taking part in public speaking and media opportunities. They can often also provide quotes. Authenticity Advocate (when 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). Please contact us if you are interested in inviting one of our Authenticity Advocates to take part in an event and please ensure that Inclusive Minds are appropriately acknowledged in all literature/presentations.