What is your opinion on including disclaimers at the beginning of a story ?

[Luv4hotwives]

I contemplated a variation on this. It's basically just taking your actual tag list and sticking it on the front of the story. Instead of "Content Warning" it's just:

TAGS: [tag1], [tag2], [tag3]

I see more of this kind of formatting on Deviantart and Reddit.

Just for the sake of it, I noticed in your example you used incest and non-con. I understand that combining those is a big no-no for Lit readers. Did you pick those on purpose, or just whatever popped in your head to use as examples?

I like this idea. Conveys exactly what is needed, nothing more and people will likely register the info even without intentionally reading it. Since it is essentially just emphasizing something that's already been stated it shouldn’t piss people off. Great idea!

 

[AlinaX]

I understand that combining those is a big no-no for Lit readers. Did you pick those on purpose, or just whatever popped in your head to use as examples?

Those tend to require content warnings from Laurel when writing outside the appropriate categories.

Funnily enough, my first incest-category story has non-con without a content warning.

Arguably, half of Mind Control should come with content warnings for both...

 

[ChuckWolf]

There's an upcoming story I'm working on, where a part of it involves a college art model having to allow himself to receive a handjob from the only other male (who happens to be gay) student in the class.

It's a long scene in an otherwise hetero story, but a disclaimer might be the way to go.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

CW, what category were you planning it for?

 

[stickygirl]

I'm note sure the term 'disclaimer ' is helpful but it's immediately negative "don't blame me if you don't like it"

Every paperback I've ever read as a synopsis on the back and you can casually mention 'whatever it is' along with that summary. You can still claim 'I told you so' but it doesn't have to sound whingy.

 

[gunhilltrain]

I'm note sure the term 'disclaimer ' is helpful but it's immediately negative "don't blame me if you don't like it"

Every paperback I've ever read as a synopsis on the back and you can casually mention 'whatever it is' along with that summary. You can still claim 'I told you so' but it doesn't have to sound whingy.

I had forgotten that hard-cover books have a synopsis on the inner flap of the dust jacket. However, it will often not list every sexual act or situation contained in the plot. But if you're not reading Little Women, you should be prepared for almost anything.

 

[ChuckWolf]

CW, what category were you planning it for?

It'll mostly be part 2 of a 3 part CFNM story, so I guess it'd be under Exhibitionist/Voyeur? (some slight reluctance/NC elements tho).

There are no other gay/bi aspects to the story, although the female art teacher does hint at the threat of it.

 

[yukonnights]

There's an upcoming story I'm working on, where a part of it involves a college art model having to allow himself to receive a handjob from the only other male (who happens to be gay) student in the class.

It's a long scene in an otherwise hetero story, but a disclaimer might be the way to go.

In lieu of an upfront "disclaimer" — (which I agree is the wrong term; I'd call it a "content warning") — you might consider a more focused approach. Just before the potentially jarring content you can point it out. Author Alex Baily did this recently and I used the same approach on one of mine.

The advantage, IMO, is that it probably doesn't turn away as many readers as an upfront warning might. One down side is that it might piss some readers off more, but I lean toward this not being that big of an issue.

<b>[ CONTENT WARNING: In the following several paragraphs there is the inclusion of male/male nude contact. While I do not view this as actual gay activity, I aknowledge that it might be something some readers wish to skip. For those that do want to skip this, I've included a short non-sexual synopsis of any story/plot content below.]</b>

"homosexual content - blah. blah, blah...

<b>[END CONTENT WARNING/SYNOPSIS] In the above, the art class instructor wanted to provide an opportunity for the students to blah, blah, blah.]</b>

So, now the reader who is enjoying the story can make an informed decision about reading or not reading the "offensive stuff", hopefully avoiding a loss of readership and most adverse reactions due to the "surprise content".

 

[stickygirl]

I had forgotten that hard-cover books have a synopsis on the inner flap of the dust jacket. However, it will often not list every sexual act or situation contained in the plot. But if you're not reading Little Women, you should be prepared for almost anything.

Well write a synopsis that does
As it happens, I put an introduction ( not disclaimer ) explaining that my story was about relationships and gender. Some troll then complained "But it's sex site" to which I wanted to reply "no, it's Literotica" but I delete the comment instead, because they clearly didn't bother to read as far as a very hot sex scene. Haters gotta hate

 

[TarnishedPenny]

Well write a synopsis that does
As it happens, I put an introduction ( not disclaimer ) explaining that my story was about relationships and gender. Some troll then complained "But it's sex site" to which I wanted to reply "no, it's Literotica" but I delete the comment instead, because they clearly didn't bother to read as far as a very hot sex scene. Haters gotta hate

Too true. Here, as elsewhere.

 

[Luv4hotwives]

That stuff should be illegal.

If I google vegemite wil I regret it? I know I’ve heard of it but don’t remember what it is.

 

[TarnishedPenny]

If I google vegemite wil I regret it? I know I’ve heard of it but don’t remember what it is.

The very name should be banned north of the equator. South of there, the blood pools in people's brains and alters their tasting ability.

 

[SimonDoom]

I have never tasted vegemite, and, come to think of it, I cannot recall seeing it on a grocery store shelf here in the US. I'd never heard of it until that Men at Work song, years ago. The description of it makes it sound unappealing.

While I'm generally skeptical of "disclaimers," I can make an exception for vegemite.

 

[ElectricBlue]

While I'm generally skeptical of "disclaimers," I can make an exception for vegemite.

Suzie whistled merrily as she scraped a nice thin layer of vegemite over Simon's toast.

"You always say you're open minded, Si, when it comes to new experiences. Why should food stuffs be any different? Besides, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches - and you think you have culinary superiority?"

 

[gunhilltrain]

Well write a synopsis that does
As it happens, I put an introduction ( not disclaimer ) explaining that my story was about relationships and gender. Some troll then complained "But it's sex site" to which I wanted to reply "no, it's Literotica" but I delete the comment instead, because they clearly didn't bother to read as far as a very hot sex scene. Haters gotta hate

Publishing on a web site is different from professional print publishing, although the line is becoming blurred. I was going to say that professional publishing is more impersonal but there are exceptions. J.D. Salinger got deeply involved with one of his readers, Joyce Maynard, although Salinger initiated it. Apparently he had done that kind of thing before. I'm sure if Maynard had been a male admirer, he wouldn't have sent his letter.