- Joanne Harris, 59, suggested all books could include trigger warnings
- Author says trigger warnings will be in his books from now on
- She said it would make sense to introduce a new policy because people need it.
The use of trigger warnings has become one of the most controversial issues in the publishing industry.
But one author who strongly supports their inclusion is Joanne Harris, who has said she will ensure they are added to all her future books in a bid to make readers feel “safe”.
The Chocolat author, 59, suggested that all books could include trigger warnings “as standard” in the copyright page so readers know what to look out for before they start reading.
She said introducing a new policy “would make a lot of sense” because trigger warnings are like “wheelchair ramps” in the sense that they exist “because some people need them”.
“Until now, I haven’t included trigger warnings in my books. From now on I will,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Joanne Harris is strongly in favor of trigger warnings on books’ copyright page and says she will update hers to include them
Actor Ralph Fiennes is a staunch opponent of trigger warnings and has spoken out against them.
Children’s author Roald Dahl recently had his books hit with trigger warnings.
“I am currently in the process of updating my website to display content warnings for my entire list, and I will insist that my publishers do this for all of my upcoming books. As authors, we can TO DO.
Ms Harris, whose prequel to her bestselling novel will be released next year, conducted a social media poll asking her followers whether they agreed with the inclusion of trigger warnings on rights pages of author.
She said: “I think it makes a lot of sense. It might be more complicated for audiobooks, however.
“And obviously people can be triggered by different things, so we may have to decide which ones are most likely.”
She added that she didn’t think warnings should be about “things people might disapprove of (eg: swearing, etc.)” but rather things that “put them in danger.”
She said: “To me, trigger warnings are like wheelchair ramps. They exist because some people need them.
“Those who cannot can still use them or take the stairs. Their choice.
“The fact that some people don’t take the stairs doesn’t take away from my experience, nor do I hang around the wheelchair ramp making fun of those who use it, or tell them how much it would be better if they were on display.” on the way up.
Classic books by authors such as Virgina Woolf, Roald Dahl, Ian Fleming and PG Wodehouse have all seen reissued copies of their books slapped with trigger warnings in recent years.
A number of universities have also decided to include their own content warnings in copies of books given to students.
West End productions of Shakespeare’s plays have also been advertised with warnings about potentially offensive content, which has been called out by stars such as Ralph Fiennes and Matt Smith.
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