Trigger warnings (or content warnings) are one of those topics that seem to spark endless debate in the book world.

Some readers appreciate them. Others feel they act as spoilers. Some authors worry they reduce a complex story to a checklist of difficult topics. Others see them as an accessibility tool that helps readers make informed decisions before diving into a book.

As an author, I can see why some writers prefer not to include content warnings. In certain stories, discovering difficult themes organically is part of the reading experience.

That said, I chose to be upfront about the content in Making Friends with Monsters. The book deals with some heavy subjects. In many ways, it's the definition of a potentially triggering story.

Because it's written for upper middle grade and younger YA readers, I felt it was especially important that parents, teachers, librarians, counselors, and social workers had a general understanding of the topics covered before putting the book into a child's hands.

What surprised me most was how many readers thanked me for including those warnings. One review has stayed with me. The reader had recently lost their mother and knew, because of the content warning, that the book dealt with death and grief. They decided to give it a try anyway.

Partway through, they realized they weren't ready for that journey. The grief was still too fresh. What struck me wasn't that they stopped reading. It was that they didn't blame the book for it. They appreciated knowing what they were getting into and simply chose to come back to the story at a later time.

For me, that's exactly what content warnings are for. They're a guide, helping readers determine whether a particular story is right for them at a particular moment in their lives.

I will continue to include content warnings in future books because for the kinds of stories I write, being transparent with readers feels like the right thing to do.

My current work in progress is a fantasy novel. The protagonist carries a literal darkness inside her—an infection that fuels anger, fear, and destructive impulses. One of the ways she keeps that darkness at bay is through self-harm.

It's a fantasy story, but the themes behind it are very real. For that reason, I would want readers to know what they're stepping into before they begin the journey.

posted by Sandra L. Rostirolla on June, 23