Trigger Warnings In Fiction: A Necessary Courtesy Or Creative Constraint?

In my October newsletter I recommended a book, The Names by Florence Knapp, which was on my TBR list. It had been a bookclub choice by a few groups, and the premise sounded interesting.

Below are some outlines of the book that came up when I did a quick Google search:

• The Names is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark.

• It is 1987, and in the aftermath of a great storm, Cora sets out with her nine-year-old daughter to register the birth of her son.

• Powerfully moving and full of hope, this is the story of three names, three versions of a life, and the infinite possibilities that a single decision can spark.

When I dug a little deeper there are a few that are more direct; “a compelling novel that fills one with an actual physical sense of dread” and another that was more clearly worded with “domestic violence.”

This got me thinking about content and trigger warnings in fiction. Historically, as a reader choosing my next book, I would have read the back cover blurb, glanced at the front cover artwork and that was about it. If I liked a book, I would look for more by the same author, or another author in the same genre and writing style. I might have asked the librarian or bookstore owner for a recommendation based on my last read. At no point in my past has anyone said, “Oh, I just need to warn you about a few things in this book before you read it.” 

To me content warnings are a new concept. But how new are they? I did some research; the phrase “trigger warning” began appearing in feminist internet message boards in the late 1990s and early 2000s. While the idea of content warnings has been around for some time—such as film and TV ratings and video game age classifications—the specific terminology and its usage in literary publishing are relatively new. It seems that trigger warnings are much more prevalent in self-publishing and independent presses than in mainstream traditional publishing. The practice, however, is still a topic of debate. Some believe it provides essential support for readers with trauma. Others argue that it diminishes creative surprise or is used excessively.

Jeannie Suk Gersen, in September 28, 2021, asked in the New Yorker: What if Trigger Warnings Don’t Work?

She writes “New psychological research suggests that trigger warnings do not reduce negative reactions to disturbing material—and may even increase them.”

So what do you think? Are you a moth to a flame, irresistibly drawn to content warnings that you know you will find unpleasant or disturbing. Or perhaps you have found yourself not even entertaining the thought of reading a novel that could in any way hurt you emotionally. It’s definitely a personal choice, and one that I will never judge another reader for making. We are all responsible for our own mental health. Primarily reading should be for pleasure—escaping to foreign lands, having adventures with magical creatures, visiting the past (or future.) For me, reading equals enjoyment. If I’m not enjoying the novel, I put it down and pick up the next one. It doesn’t matter, no one cares but you. Read what makes YOU happy.

Final thoughts:

If you’re a writer or editor: It’s helpful to know that trigger/content warnings are not mandatory, but they can be a reader-friendly way to signal sensitive content. If your genre involves violence, abuse, trauma or other potentially triggering themes, a brief content note might serve your readers well. Since the use of trigger/content warnings is still evolving, you may want to check your audience (what they expect) and your publisher’s policy (if applicable) before deciding how detailed your warning should be.

As freelance editors we get to choose our clients carefully. At the enquiry stage, ask what the genre is and if there is any possible content that you would be unwilling to edit. When you receive the sample of the manuscript (or the entire thing), do a quick word search for topics that are a no-go for you. Better to be safe than sorry.

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