I don't see why you can't simply include a line in your blurb something along the lines of "Note: this book contains scenes of explicit sex, to a significantly greater degree than previous volumes." I'm not sure I'd include the word "warning," but certainly noting the difference in this book would be appropriate.
Are you allowed to put warnings in your blurb?
I've just finished a new Horror Story Volume and will be publishing it in the next few days. The thing is, it's still urban fantasy and horror like the others, but it contains a lot more explicit sex (simply due to the plotline) and I think readers of the previous volumes possibly deserve a warning. At the other end of the scale, I don't want readers who discover this book first to assume the same sexual content will be in the others...
So is it allowed to put some kind of warning in the blurb?
So is it allowed to put some kind of warning in the blurb?
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I put content ratings in all my blurbs as a courtesy for readers. People who don't like sexual content, strong language or violence often feel strongly about it. I don't want to spring a sex scene on an unsuspecting reader. Other readers, like me, may be more likely to select a book that includes sex.
Browse some listings and you'll see how other authors and publishers handle this.
BTW, I never use the word warning. I just mention it as information, no big deal. I haven't had any complaints/bad reviews and my return rate is low.
Browse some listings and you'll see how other authors and publishers handle this.
BTW, I never use the word warning. I just mention it as information, no big deal. I haven't had any complaints/bad reviews and my return rate is low.
I think it's definitely a good idea to make a small note that there is explicit material in your book. Don't phrase it as a "warning," as that implies negativity, but include it. The last thing you want is to surprise readers with a sex scene they're not comfortable with and scare them off from the rest of your books because they don't know when explicit material is going to pop up.
Yep, writers put content warnings in their blurbs all the time. Some even use them humorously, to their advantage.
You can, of course, but I have found that warnings like this in the blurb cause kdp to look more closely at the entire book when you publish, thus causing it to take much longer to go live. It is also likely to be stuffed into the erotica category, which is not open to public searches as far as I can make out. Why not put a short note on the title page, in italics to draw attention to it? It is what I do when I want to include an historical note (I write historical fiction) and might not set off alarm bells.Graeme Hague said:I've just finished a new Horror Story Volume and will be publishing it in the next few days. The thing is, it's still urban fantasy and horror like the others, but it contains a lot more explicit sex (simply due to the plotline) and I think readers of the previous volumes possibly deserve a warning. At the other end of the scale, I don't want readers who discover this book first to assume the same sexual content will be in the others...
So is it allowed to put some kind of warning in the blurb?
Definitely.
My scifi is graphic, and I didn't want immediate one-stars complaining about the content. So I have a big warning in the first line. It also works as a hook
My scifi is graphic, and I didn't want immediate one-stars complaining about the content. So I have a big warning in the first line. It also works as a hook
It really is kindest to let people know (and will help cut down on bad reviews, too!). Anything that might throw readers for a loop, or that they might like to know before buying. I agree, you don't have to make it a warning unless you want to, just a note. Maybe in bold or italic below the blurb.
Thanks everyone, and a good tip from many about using the word "warning". Doglover's concerns are something I was thinking about, but I'd be very surprised if I hit any erotica benchmark. In fact, I might even avoid the word "explicit". They're just more detailed (for want of a better word) than other works and might surprise a few readers. Thanks again.
You might be fine, Graeme, I'm no expert. I do know that Amazon are looking much closer at anything uploaded now than in the past, hence new uploads with 'kindle unlimited' mentioned anywhere are being rejected as well as any revised books which have had those words in there for absolute ever. Now they won't accept the revised version until the words are removed.Graeme Hague said:Thanks everyone, and a good tip from many about using the word "warning". Doglover's concerns are something I was thinking about, but I'd be very surprised if I hit any erotica benchmark. In fact, I might even avoid the word "explicit". They're just more detailed (for want of a better word) than other works and might surprise a few readers. Thanks again.
There is a guy on the kdp forum who publishes nothing but how to books scraped from the internet and he has got away with it for years. Recently he tried to revise four covers, drawing attention to the whole pamphlet and Amazon have blocked them all. Quite funny really, since he has a long thread on the forum, assuring everyone he is going to sue them and everyone with shares in Amazon better sell quickly because he is going to have them closed down! Very entertaining.
Just be careful, or your book might take days to publish!
Do not include the word 'warning.' Or even list the stuff in your book that some readers may find objectionable. After all, such a
list of keywords also alerts readers who actually want such material. So, you'd be screening out readers who won't like your
novel and attracting those who will. It's just begging Amazon to bury your book in the Adult dungeon.
What sense does that make? It's Amazon logic. They know being upfront about controversial content makes it clear you (and
they) are actually selling it. If you sweep it under the carpet, just giving veiled hinted those "in the know" will understand,
they can profit from the sales while still maintaining plausible deniability the next time a yellow journalist/blogger makes headlines
about porn on the Zon. Erotica writers had to learn this lesson the hard way months ago.
list of keywords also alerts readers who actually want such material. So, you'd be screening out readers who won't like your
novel and attracting those who will. It's just begging Amazon to bury your book in the Adult dungeon.
What sense does that make? It's Amazon logic. They know being upfront about controversial content makes it clear you (and
they) are actually selling it. If you sweep it under the carpet, just giving veiled hinted those "in the know" will understand,
they can profit from the sales while still maintaining plausible deniability the next time a yellow journalist/blogger makes headlines
about porn on the Zon. Erotica writers had to learn this lesson the hard way months ago.
Mine have variations of A thriller set in the seedy world of London's drug rings, this book contains strong scenes and adult material. It's never caused me any issues that I'm aware of and I've only ever had one bad review because of it .. that I know of, anyway!
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