YA LGBT Books discussion
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Should I warn readers about the depth of violence in my novel?
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Ideally, that information goes into a content warning printed at the front of the book - "Content warning: this story contains on page violent events...", especially for a YA book withmurder
rape
self-harm
suicide
sexual abuse
Those are topics that can be triggering for readers. Some people want other triggers noted too (like PTSD or gender dysphoria or depression, but it becomes a question of how much information to put out there.)
If your publisher didn't tag the book that way (and they should have) then you might still be able to add search tags on the sales sites. You can also consider a review-by-the-author on Goodreads, where you don't give yourself stars, but make a little statement about content. I did this for a "romance" book of mine that did not have a happy ending, something readers like to have warning about. Depending how big a role the events play, you might, for GR, also add your book onto lists like YA Violence & Abuse Novels and Young Adult Books About Rape & Sexual Abuse - the lists a book is on show up on the book page. These lists are primarily for books where the event is on-page and fairly central. I might not add to them for something that is only a couple of pages within the story.
It's always a tough call how much info to put out there, especially if it spoilers a plot point. But especially in Young Adult, I think it's important to make it possible for readers who have bad experiences that might trigger, be able to search or look at tags and know that your book is not for them.
Yes please. I cannot stand violent content or any sort of child abuse, and yet I keep picking up books with descriptions that only hint at 'family drama' and coming across major parent-on-child sexual abuse. I wish authors of books for adults showed as much concern for their readers as you do for your teen readers, Linda, and I thank you.
Kaje wrote: "Ideally, that information goes into a content warning printed at the front of the book - "Content warning: this story contains on page violent events...", especially for a YA book withmurder
rape..."
That's was very helpful, Kaje,
I will try to spend time getting this together in my English evening tonight. Sounds like a good plan.
thanks, for that!
Linda
She reminded me that I left some pretty gruesome, well, absolutely horrific parts in the novel, which she did not expect and which I could not figure out a way to warn anyone against. Hmmm.
Can you figure out what I should do about it? The publishers wouldn't put a warning on the book...
Let me know what you think,
Linda