Warnings for Erotica Books – Is This A Rule?
I was wondering about the warnings that you put on your book reviews for erotic type books: “Warning: This book contains very disturbing situations, dubious consent, strong language, and graphic violence. It is only recommended for mature audiences” or this one “Note: The genre for this book is erotica. The book may be inappropriate for anyone under 18, and my review may allude to sexual or other graphic scenes”
Is this something all book reviewers should be doing? I review the occasional erotica so I wanted to know if this is some kind of guideline I am not aware of.
Jennifer
Hey Jennifer!
There aren’t any official guidelines that I’m aware of (like FTC Guidelines), this is just something that I’ve chosen to do on my blog. I know there are a lot of young bloggers out there (13 – 15), or bloggers that just stay far away from erotica. I just don’t want someone to start reading my review because they don’t realize it’s for an erotica book, then be hit in the face with something nasty, if you know what I mean.
So putting a big warning at the top of my erotica reviews is just my way of saying “THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO BAIL OUT NOW”.
I guess it’s usually pretty obvious when a book is erotica (hot covers, the synopsis, etc.) but I think it’s better to give people a very clear warning so that they immediately know what they’re getting into.
I also put a warning on top of my reviews when it’s necessary. At least I warned the reader. It’s their choice to read ahead. That way I can’t be blamed afterwards. x)
Thanks girl. I have been thinking of doing this too, but it’s nice to know it’s not required.
I think I’ve ever reviewed one or two Erotica but I never even thought to put a warning. Then afterwards, I noticed lots of bloggers were doing it. I guess I just thought that it was pretty obvious but I guess a clear warning is always good!
I don’t put a warning per se, but I do indicate ther it is an “adult” book and I do have the genre and age group at the beginning of the book. I hope that this is “warning” enough, especially since I review a lot of YA.
I often wonder the same about putting warnings in book synopses. I don’t personally find them necessary, actually… I think they’re a little condescending, but that’s how society is, for some reason, and they’re everywhere. As for book reviews, also unecessary. That’s just me, though. Rarely do my views match those of the hoi polloi.
I like to put up a warning for adult content just because I know that there are young readers out there or those who don’t like those types of books. That way they can’t say they were not warned about it. I just think it’s more of a courtesy to those who don’t like those types of books. I actually don’t review them but I have a couple of bloggers who post on my blog that do.
I don’t review erotica, but I appreciate it when someone puts a warning on it. I’m not against it, but I’m not interested in it and this is easy to see in one glance.
I don’t actually read erotica… but I really appreciate the warnings that you give us, because I’m not gonna lie – I usually bail. It’s just not my thing, I’m too young, etc. So thanks for the warning system. <3
The only erotica I’ve ever reviewed on my blog is Fifty Shades (read out of pure curiosity about the hype lmao!), but whenever I review anything that I personally deem inappropriate for young readers (*coughcough* September Girls) I mark it with a warning that it may not be suitable for readers under the age of 17.
Like you said, it’s usually pretty obvious when something is erotica based off of the cover…but sometimes you wouldn’t think something would be full of sex/cursing if it looks like YA. Better to be safe than sorry! I wouldn’t want my 13 year old getting ahold of something like September Girls…
I don’t review erotica, but I will mention in my review if a book used a lot of profanity.
I don’t read erotica but it would always be nice to have a warning–especially if you don’t show the genre in the book info section or if the cover does not suggest so. Simply because young readers don’t want to accidentally pick up one.
I love that we have that option! I just a review today and I got pretty ranty and used ‘inappropriate’ words. It makes me feel better that I at least gave a warning before my review 🙂
I used this feature through UBB a few times but stopped. I mean if the cover of the book has half naked people on it, most people will know it has sexual stuff in it. LOL
And since I read/review about 2% YA on my blog I didn’t feel like I needed to use a warning.
I wish there were more separation between romance books and erotica. I’m not anti-erotica. In fact, I’ve read one or two. My problem is that now that everyone’s trying to write the next “fifty shades,” it’s everywhere. Again, that’s fine. Erotica lovers, go for it. My problem is that I’m really getting sick of searching for romance blogs or groups and then having nothing but pictures of tied up woman being shoved in my face. I don’t join “romance” sites to read about adventure books. Because let’s face it, erotica is very different. Slapping an HEA on the end of BDSM doesn’t magically turn it into a romance.