If we haven’t met yet…I’m a thriller novelist living with an anxiety disorder. I write thrillers and explore wellness to confront my personal traumas and inspire change through storytelling. As a result, I often delve into heavy themes: sexual assault, domestic violence, suicide, depression, and death. My first novel, Second Reality, was published in 2024 by Austin Macauley Publishers and includes all these elements.

Trigger Warning

This book contains themes and depictions of sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, self-harm, and suicide. Reader discretion is advised.

My goal is to create conversation and extend a sense of friendship through the pages. However, as a first-time novelist, I didn’t think to include a trigger warning for readers. Looking back, I now wonder if this was an oversight.

I’ve since worked on forgiving myself as part of this journey. While I pride myself on being thoughtful and considerate, I felt a pang of guilt when I realized I hadn’t included a trigger warning in my production draft. The realization hit me when I saw a newly published thriller on the bookstore shelf, with a prominent content warning on the cover.

Some critics disagree with trigger warnings, arguing that they can even heighten the emotional impact of certain topics. According to The New Yorker, psychological studies indicate that trigger warnings don’t provide significant benefit.

So, why consider including one? Well, it’s less about softening the content and more about offering readers the option to avoid potentially distressing material. In hindsight, I wish my publisher’s production and marketing teams had broached the topic of trigger warnings, especially given the intense themes in my submission. Why isn’t this a standard suggestion?

As I reflect on my journey of publishing Second Reality, I realize there’s so much I’ve discovered only after the fact. Many award programs, competitions, and promotional opportunities require application months before a book even hits the shelves, and some are only open to debut authors. I’ve since added a trigger warning to my social media and encourage other writers to consider doing the same.

“But it’s a thriller! Shouldn’t readers already know what they’re getting into?”

It’s a fair question, but the answer isn’t so clear-cut. As a thriller writer with an anxiety disorder, I understand what it’s like to enjoy a genre while being sensitive to specific topics. For example, I love Grey’s Anatomy, but I can’t watch it without spiraling into fears about mortality. So, I look for alternatives I can still enjoy.

The point is to create media that’s accessible and enjoyable. As an author, I believe it’s my job to help readers find pleasure in my work, but it’s also my readers’ responsibility to recognize their triggers and make informed choices. Trigger warnings can be part of that balance.

When Should You Consider a Trigger Warning?

1. Feedback from Readers: If readers have expressed that your work is triggering, it may be worth considering a content warning.
2. Film Ratings as a Guide: If your work would likely have an R or TV-MA rating as a movie, this can be an indicator that a content warning might be appropriate.
3. Suitability for Younger Audiences: Ask yourself, would you read this book to a child? If not, reflect on the themes and interactions that might be confusing or distressing, as these could be good candidates for a content warning.
4. Specific Topics: If your work involves suicide, rape, eating disorders, death, gore, drug use, abuse, or self-harm, please consider including a content warning.

What If Your Book Doesn’t Include a Trigger Warning?

If your book lacks a trigger warning, consider adding one to your social media or author website. You might create a dedicated page on your site or submit your work to a database like The Trigger Warning Database or Book Trigger Warnings.

Including a trigger warning doesn’t mean dulling the emotional impact—it’s about building trust and respect with your readers. Give them the freedom to choose their journey, and in doing so, you become an author worth choosing.