When (And How) To Use Content Warnings In Your Book
Whenever I ask my friends to watch a scary movie with me, they usually have one question: “Is it like spooky scary, or like gory scary?” While they like a good scare now and then, they also know their limits, so they want to be aware of what they’re getting into. And it’s a good thing, too, because now I know something like “Carrie” is more their speed than a bloodbath like “Hostel.”
Increasingly, readers feel the same way. They want to be prepared for anything shocking, gross, or disturbing that might jump out or slither between the pages. That’s why more and more authors are using content warnings to gives readers a sense of what to expect.
And when writing in a genre such as horror or mystery that often deals with dark or violent subject matter, content warnings become even more important to ensure readers can make an informed choice about your book. If you’re not sure whether your book should include content warnings, here are some things to consider.
What are content warnings?
Content warnings, sometimes called trigger warnings, are used to warn readers that a book includes sensitive or difficult topics. Stories that explore subjects such as abuse, addiction, or violence can often be triggering, especially for people who may have experienced similar trauma. Content warnings give them the opportunity to opt out of books outside their comfort level, or to wait until they’re in the right frame of mind to tackle that particular subject.
There’s a wide variety of topics some readers might want to be warned about, but here are some common ones:
Racism, homophobia, bigotry, etc.
Sexual violence or abuse
Depictions of grief and loss
Blood and gore
Suicide or self-harm
In the age of spicy books, some authors also use content warnings to alert readers that a book contains sex scenes that may be graphic. If you need help figuring out which subjects to list in the content warnings for your story, websites like Trigger Warning Database or Book Tigger Warnings have examples of warnings that have been identified for various published books. Content warnings are sometimes also listed in the genre tags on GoodReads.
Why are they important?
Because trauma literally changes the brain, people who are deeply affected by certain subjects can’t control their reactions, and finding out too late that a book contains painful material can do real harm. And while it’s true that anyone can search for content warnings online themselves, these warnings are often user-submitted and may not be available or accurate for every book (especially those that are newly released, independently published, or not widely read). As an author, including content warnings in your book is a sign of respect for your audience and the experiences they bring to your story.
When and where to use them
When a book is published, content warnings are often included as a note to the reader somewhere in the front pages. But they may also be necessary during the editing and publishing process. Making your critique partners, beta readers, or editors aware of any difficult themes in the book helps them know whether they’re the right fit to work with you. Some authors also publish their content warnings on their website or social media pages so that they’re available wherever readers might look.
But what about spoilers?
Content warnings are not in themselves spoilers. But if you’re concerned about what content warnings might reveal about your plot, one option is to include them in the back matter of the book rather than the front matter, with a note in the front letting readers know where to find them. That way, they’re easily accessible for readers who need them, while those who prefer to go into a story without preconceived notions aren’t likely to stumble on them accidentally.
That being said, it’s absolutely possible to write content warnings in a way that doesn’t spoil your book. While you do want to be specific (listing “child abuse” gives a reader more relevant information than simply “abuse,” for example), there’s no need to directly refer to pivotal plot twists. If your book features a vengeful octopus who chops off the heads of greedy investment bankers, for example, including content warnings for “dismemberment/beheading” and “body horror” will probably suffice.
Are content warnings censorship?
Nope. The goal of content warnings is not to prevent authors from tackling difficult subjects, nor are they intended to dictate who should and shouldn’t read certain material (though they can be a good indication of whether a story is age-appropriate for some readers). At their core, content warnings are about consent — about giving your readers all the information they need to decide whether your book is for them.
And who knows — knowing horror readers, they might even see something in your content warnings that makes them even more excited to see where the story goes.
