Noticed book trigger warnings in your latest read and wondering what’s going on? Want to know if book trigger warnings are needed or not, this guide is here to help!
Here’s what I’ll cover:
- What book trigger warnings are.
- Are trigger warnings/content warnings necessary?
- Who should write them and what they should contain.
- My personal opinion on book trigger warnings.
Have you ever picked up a book, only to be blindsided by content you weren’t prepared for?
Maybe it triggered a traumatic memory, stirred up anxiety, or just left you feeling uncomfortable.
There’s a way to minimize these moments: content warnings. Some authors and publishers are already including them in the first few pages of books, giving readers a heads-up on potentially sensitive material.
Whether you love or hate the idea of content warnings, this post will explore every angle of the argument – and even offer some alternatives.
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What exactly are book trigger warnings or content warnings?
To set the stage, let’s start with an example. One of my favorite recent reads, A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson, includes a content warning right at the beginning. It’s in the form of an author’s note, detailing themes and situations that could be triggering for some readers.
Possible triggers like:
- Child abuse.
- Sexual assault/sexual abuse/sexual violence.
- Graphic content.
- Self-harm.
- etc
They tend not to include subject matter like tropes, if there are sex scenes, etc. Those kinds of information aren’t needed within such warnings.
Another example is Little Thieves by Margaret Owen, which also contains a brief but thoughtful warning to prepare readers.
Content warnings are still rare in fiction. They’re mostly added by authors themselves rather than publishers. They can be found just after the book cover, on the back cover (near the blurb), or in some kind of disclaimer within the book.
It’s clear we’re still in the early stages of seeing content warnings become a norm in books. So, let’s dive deeper into why content warnings are such a hot topic, drawing from community discussions and polls.
Are content warnings necessary?
This question generates a lot of debate. Some argue that content warnings can limit the reading experience by imposing boundaries. There’s also the perspective that readers should build resilience by confronting challenging content rather than avoiding it. However, this idea of ‘resilience’ often gets misunderstood.
Resilience isn’t about encountering triggers without warning. In psychology, exposure therapy is a method where exposure to anxiety-inducing situations happens gradually and in a controlled manner. It’s not about hitting vulnerable readers with unexpected content.
Content warnings respect readers’ mental health, giving them the autonomy to decide if they’re ready to engage with certain themes. Removing warnings can take away that choice.
Will content warnings spoil the plot?
Some readers worry that content warnings might act as spoilers and spoil key elements of a story. This concern is understandable; part of the joy of reading is the thrill of discovery.
But if you think about movies and sometimes TV shows, they come with content notes without spoiling the experience. Ever see a movie rating with “intense scenes” or “language”? They’re usually broad enough to prepare viewers without revealing too much.
Books might require a slightly more detailed approach. The content warnings I’ve seen, like those in A Dowry of Blood, are specific but not overly revealing. If you don’t find yourself needing these warnings, you can simply skip them – they’re not meant for everyone, just for those who might find them helpful.
Who should write book trigger warnings?
So far, content warnings in books are typically written by the author, like the ones in A Dowry of Blood and Little Thieves. Authors know their stories best, and they can carefully highlight potential triggering content.
However, there’s a downside: authors might be too close to their work and overlook specific triggers that a potential reader would find distressing.
Publishers could take on this task, bringing an outside perspective and creating a standardized format across genres. But this could make the publishing process more costly and time-consuming. There’s also the question of whether every publisher will handle the task with the same level of care.
What should content warnings look like?
Right now, content warnings are usually just a short list or a few sentences, but should there be a standard format? Some suggest adopting a system similar to movie ratings, with general content notes that don’t spoil anything specific. Others believe that warnings need to be more detailed, so readers know exactly what they’re getting into.
If we opted for a movie-like system, it would require oversight by a dedicated organization to rate each book, adding time and costs to the publication process. This could even lead to creative limitations, as authors might feel pressured to avoid certain content to fit a particular rating.
Are there alternative solutions?
If printed content warnings don’t become common, there are already alternative tools for readers.
Platforms like The StoryGraph let users highlight content warnings, broken down into categories like Graphic, Moderate, and Minor. This makes it easy for readers to see what they’re in for – or avoid warnings altogether if they choose.
For those not on platforms like The StoryGraph (for example, on Goodreads or Amazon), finding warnings can take effort. Some reviewers add warnings to their book reviews, but there’s no guarantee they’ll be thorough or easy to find. This is why many argue for having this kind of warning directly in the book – it’s the simplest solution.
My personal opinion on book trigger warnings
Personally, content warnings don’t ruin a book for me. They build trust between me and the author, signaling they care about the reader’s experience. And if you don’t want to read the content warning? Just skip it. It’s there for those who need it, without imposing on those who don’t.
What do you think?
I’m curious to hear your thoughts. Do you believe content warnings have a place in books? Or do you prefer the surprise of a story without preemptive hints? Share your opinions in the comments, and let’s keep the discussion going!
