About Us
Our mission is to help writers represent marginalized identities authentically in the media.
Our Story
Writing Diversely was born from a simple, yet all-too-common frustration. Renee Harleston, an avid reader and cultural anthropologist, found herself disappointed by a book’s shallow portrayal of a Black character, prompting a pivotal conversation with her best friend about the work of “sensitivity readers.”
That chat sparked an idea and a new path for Renee, leading her to start offering sensitivity reading services. She quickly noticed patterns in the mistakes authors were making, driving her to start a blog aimed at educating on these recurring issues. The name Writing Diversely was chosen to reflect what Renee wanted for her clients: to think more deeply and inclusively about their writing.
As Writing Diversely grew, Renee sought to build a team of sensitivity readers, each experts of their own identities to help in this mission-driven work. Writing Diversely has evolved from being a helpful resource for fiction authors to becoming the go-to service provider for writers with a broad spectrum of offerings to support them. Our clients are passionate creators eager to ensure their work is respectful and the best representation of their abilities.
The top three reasons authors love our services? We’re known for being compassionate, providing constructive feedback, and having a nuanced understanding of diverse representation. We believe in supporting authors to create stories that are not only engaging but also authentic and inclusive, making Writing Diversely a trusted partner in their journeys.
Meet the Founder
Renee Harleston
Renee received her M.A. in Cultural Anthropology at Hunter College and works in social justice and history education.
When she’s not reading Renee can be found canning fruits and vegetables, and queueing up “cat tv” for her cat Jerome in Jersey City. She is famous for winning 3rd place in a poetry contest at the county fair in middle school.