Dear Authors,

Please refrain from writing about disabilities unless you have direct experience or have invested substantial effort into thorough research. What may seem like a simple characteristic often carries profound significance. It is very different than assigning eye or hair color to a character. Disabilities are not mere plot devices to enhance book sales or fill a category; they are lived experiences with complexities that deserve respect. Misrepresentation or inaccuracies in portraying these experiences can cause real harm.

I recently finished a book by a #1 New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author, whose work I’ve enjoyed for years, including previous installments in this series. However, I was deeply disappointed by the portrayal of a deaf character who received a cochlear implant. While the depiction of life within the Deaf community was somewhat addressed, the author’s treatment of the cochlear implant process was grossly oversimplified and inaccurate, as if the author didn’t understand the profound difference between cochlear implants and hearing aids. This careless portrayal is hurtful and disrespectful to those who have undergone the challenging journey of receiving a surgically implanted cochlear implant and learning to hear and speak.

While I don’t expect fiction, especially romance, to provide a perfect scientific representation of medical issues, I do believe that a touch of realism in portraying characters’ struggles is crucial. Accurately reflecting these challenges adds depth and authenticity to the story, allowing readers to connect with the characters on a more meaningful level.

Anything less diminishes the experiences of readers who have lived these realities, and it shows a lack of respect for the authenticity their stories deserve.