I might start blogging!
But first, Coffee.
Wait.
I meant to say, introducing my website!
You May Already Know Me from Fiverr
Many authors discovered my little dream of Deaf sensitivity reading on Fiverr, a freelancing website for services of all kinds. I started my Fiverr account back in 2023, out of pure rage (you can read more about that on my post, “The Villain Origin Story of Blair”, which is coming soon to a theater (your computer? Phone? iPad?) near you! I did not expect anything to come from this dream of mine, but the day I got my first order, I screamed! Mainly because I had no idea what I was doing and was terrified. However, through that first job, I met a really cool author, and we had the best time working together! It was then I realized just how much I enjoyed doing this kind of work.
Even during the dry spells when I wouldn’t get a Deaf sensitivity job for months at a time, I would still think and plan for when I did get another opportunity: How to answer questions in a more clear and concise way; how to make my comments more meaningful and educational; how I can help my new found friends grow in their dreams and literature. Through all the dry spells and waiting between Sensitivity readings, I have made many wonderful friends who have encouraged me to keep going, and to pursue my own writing as well.
I never thought I would be able to leave Fiverr, but the time has come for me to move onto bigger and better things. It was a good run, but my once small goals have grown into something big, shiny, and new. My first step to making those goals come to life is moving onto my own platform. Welcome to Blairwynters.com! Where everything is a little loud, a little proud, and a little sensitive.
What I do as a Deaf Sensitivity Reader
Sensitivity reading gained more publicity back around 2016 when diversity was starting to bloom within our communities. When minorities started to speak out about bad representation. Though the movement started before 2016, it took a few years of growth before reaching a turning point: when authors started to see how involving people with lived experiences was an important addition to their novels. Readers want to see representation, but we want to see it done well.
Imposter syndrome is real! When I first started sensitivity reading, a large part of me wondered, “Am I good enough to be doing this?” I grew up different than many Deaf people. Or, so I thought. After becoming more involved in my community, I started to see that I am not very different than others. On the flip side, as I read more novels and situations, or when hearing authors asked me specific questions, I found that I could relate to those things. This allowed me to believe in myself, and in my unique and diverse perspective.
When I am Sensitivity reading, I am reading from many different points of views. I am adapting myself into the author’s world, time period, and situations.I am looking for used words that alter the meaning of the sentence, perhaps causing spread of misinformation or stereotyping; I offer suggestions to redirect and educate. My goal is to provide excellent edits and educational opportunities so that the author feels confident in their stories and characters, Most importantly, my goal is to be gentle kind, and to create an environment for learning. Sensitivity reading should never be hostile and authors should always feel open to asking questions and be curious.
What I can do now with this BW|DSR website!
While Fiverr was an excellent tool to jumpstart my services, it also had its limitations. Anyone who has been apart of Fiverr knows the little things that can make it frustrating. Yes, having success scores and rating is a good thing to show the quality of service, but sometimes the site lacks understanding of the individual service. Their website was expecting me to have numerous jobs coming in every day, but a Deaf Sensitivity Reader is a niche topic. Sometimes I have up to four clients at a time, other times I won’t see a soul for several months (and then worry that maybe my account got deleted or something!). Still, Fiverr expected a lot mores clients, affecting my scores, which downplayed the quality I truly offer. Now I can focus on spreading the word for my services in a more professional setting without the stress of balancing scores that should have never applied to me.
Fiverr’s messaging was always a bit of an issue. I still get numerous scam messages (I have been proposed to and asked to “read” their… private parts—literally more wild than Tinder). But what’s even more fun about those messages? (Other than the heavy censorship that can get my account banned if I use words that suggest that I am taking my clients out of Fiverr, especially with resources for further research.) If I don’t answer ALL of them, my scores go down, and I get negative remarks. Even after contacting their support pages (many times) I leave with a “🤷🏽♂️ not my problem” response. Having my own platform reduces the stress of scores being affected and I can block messages that are literally gross.
All of this to say, I will be able to build a larger client base and at a rate fit for my niche service. Even though I am thankful for Fiverr for giving me my start, I am SO excited to be here!