I’ve been seeing more authors in the romance genre using substitute words in their content warnings instead of direct terms. For example, they write things like “gRape” or “unaliving” instead of the actual words. I’m wondering if other readers feel the same way I do about this trend. To me, it seems like if someone feels uncomfortable typing out words like rape or murder in a warning, maybe they should reconsider writing scenes with that content. I think content warnings should be clear and direct so readers know exactly what to expect. These substitute terms feel less professional and might confuse readers about the actual content level. Am I being too harsh about this, or do other people share this opinion about how warnings should be written?
When authors dodge certain terms, readers can’t figure out what they’re getting into. Just be upfront about it.
Those substitute words drive me nuts when I’m trying to figure out if a book’s too intense for me. Just say what it is so I can decide for myself.
I see your point, but a lot of authors use those alternative terms because of social media rules. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram can bury posts with certain words, so they opt for substitutes to avoid that. It’s not always about being uncomfortable with the language; it’s more about trying to reach their audience without getting flagged.