Parental Advisory Warnings and Novels

Gigi Sahi · Jan 3, 2007

Hope this is the right place to ask this question:

I've often seen parental advisory warnings on cds and dvds for explicit language, violence, and strong sexual content, but I've never seen such labels on novels.

Is there some law that excludes novels from having to provide such warnings?

I'm working on a little project, which I intend to self-publish, but some of the content is intended for a mature audience. I'm wondering if I need to slap a warning on this baby. I can't find anything on the net that requires I must, but I want to double-check here to be sure.

Thanks for your feedback.

Celia Cyanide · Jan 3, 2007

I don't think you have to, but now that you mention it, why would you not have to?

benbradley · Jan 3, 2007

Gigi Sahi said:
Is there some law that excludes novels from having to provide such warnings?

That's not it, it's that the law only applies to CD's DVD's and video games and such. It's not so much that books are excluded as that when they made the law they saw a problem with teens buying CD's with obscene lyrics. Books, very fortunately, didn't cross their minds. ISTR the "explicit lyrics" labeling idea was started by wives of congressmen (who perhaps had too little to do). The late Frank Zappa testified against the bill. But of course it was a "think of the children" thing and they couldn't be seen as not doing something about the scandalous idea of teens hearing dirty words, so it became a law.

Books are different. I think they're usually under the radar. The parents who would be upset at what their children read don't usually themselves read. Even the Christian woman who was upset at the "witchcraft" content of Harry Potter admitted she hadn't read the whole book.

You might do a search for book banning or banned books. If your book gets banned somewhere, it will end up on many beloved lists of librarian's "banned book lists" and perhaps go on display during Banned Book Week, which is wonderful free advertising.

WildScribe · Jan 3, 2007

Fortunately (or unfortunately?) books don't tend to be banned just for erotic scenes or cussing.

MicheleLee · Jan 3, 2007

The music industry also puts ratings on their stuff voluntarily. Only the comic code and the movie ratings are musts. I do often see warning in book of the money clobs about language and sex though. but why would you rate a book like that??

Celia Cyanide · Jan 3, 2007

MicheleLee said:
The music industry also puts ratings on their stuff voluntarily.

I don't think parental advisory stickers are voluntary. The bill created by the PMRC mandated stickering. I don't think it's even changed. It's just ignored now, because artists see it as a blessing more than a curse.

maddythemad · Jan 3, 2007

I think the reason why DVDs and CDs get parental advisory warnings is because it's easy to see the darn movie with your kid, just like it's easy to listen to the CD with them. A book? Not as much, unless the kid doesn't mind being read aloud to.

~ Maddy, who's just guessing

Celia Cyanide · Jan 3, 2007

maddythemad said:
I think the reason why DVDs and CDs get parental advisory warnings is because it's easy to see the darn movie with your kid, just like it's easy to listen to the CD with them. A book? Not as much, unless the kid doesn't mind being read aloud to.

You'd think that would be the other way around, then. If it's easy to watch/listen with your kid, it would be easier to monitor.

MicheleLee · Jan 3, 2007

Celia Cyanide said:
I don't think parental advisory stickers are voluntary. The bill created by the PMRC mandated stickering. I don't think it's even changed. It's just ignored now, because artists see it as a blessing more than a curse.

According to the history shows I've seen on it the bill didn't actually pass. The record companies won, but then voluntarily started doing a code as a way to prevent more lawsuits, and that also left them in charge of decided what labels meant what.
According to the Wikipidia entry here (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parents_Music_Resource_Center ) the labels are voluntary.

Celia Cyanide · Jan 3, 2007

Oh, I see. It's the RIAA that agreed to it. That makes sense.

Chasing the Horizon · Jan 3, 2007

benbradley said:
You might do a search for book banning or banned books. If your book gets banned somewhere, it will end up on many beloved lists of librarian's "banned book lists" and perhaps go on display during Banned Book Week, which is wonderful free advertising.

I've never even heard of a 'banned book list'. Now I'm going to have to do a search and find out what it is. Maybe I can get my books banned. That would be so cool!

LeeFlower · Jan 3, 2007

Yeah, I was also under the impression that they're voluntary.

Some bookstores have warning lables on their shelves, though. The YA section at my local borders has a warning on it that says the store doesn't verify the contents of the YA books-- probably because they got sick of people complaining that they contain 'mature themes.'

Seriously, though: if the author of Hitman can't get sued for writing a step-by-step 'murder for dummies,' I think you're good.

Planet Revels · Jan 3, 2007

Depending on how graphic the content is, the company that you self-publish with may require you to list it as "Mature".

seun · Jan 4, 2007

I don't know how it works elsewhere but here in the UK, if a Rap (for example) CD doesn't have a Parental Advisory sticker, it doesn't sell. Personally, I find the whole thing a little pathetic. I bought the last Nine Inch Nails album a year or so ago; it came with a Parental Advisory label. Was I supposed to ask my parents if I was allowed to buy it?

PeeDee · Jan 4, 2007

If someone starts slapping a big "RATED T for TEEN" sticker on my books, I'm gonna flip.

I live in this happy (made-up)world where people who are intelligent enough to read a book are intelligent enough to stop reading if it offends them. Of course, this isn't the case, they rant and rage and throw a fit and demand that This Book Be Banned For Having Ideas.

veinglory · Jan 4, 2007

Plenty of self-publishing places allow you to attach an advisory--so you could go with one of them (e.g. Lulu)

C.bronco · Jan 4, 2007

This entire thread is giving me the willies.

Here's why http://cynthia-bronco.blogspot.com/search?q=tipper+gore

PeeDee · Jan 4, 2007

Tipper Gore should be shot, drawn, quartered, and anything else interesting that comes up. A wood chipper would not be uncalled for. Wretched woman.

write4logan · Jan 4, 2007

WildScribe said:
Fortunately (or unfortunately?) books don't tend to be banned just for erotic scenes or cussing.

You don't need censor books because a) erotic scenes in books require imagination; and b) reading cuss words requires reading.

Now guess what my opinion is of the intellegence level of the average Joe... :e2teeth:

PeeDee · Jan 4, 2007

May I take advantage of this thread to once again beg you all to go look at the First Amendment Rights group and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund before you announce how little trouble books have? Because believe me, books have a whole world of trouble, and it doesn't get talked about enough.

Video games and music and movies get all the attention, but they do relatively fine in the end. Books are very quietly in a lot of trouble.

kwwriter · Jan 4, 2007

PeeDee said:
Books are very quietly in a lot of trouble.

This pretty much says it all, yup.

engmajor2005 · Jan 4, 2007

All rating systems are voluntary--video games, movies, music--it's all up to the industry. Even selling a ten year old tickets to an R-rated movie is legal; it's just a business standard to not do so.

With that said, I'm of the opinion that not only should ratings systems, stickers, warning labels, what have you be extinct but flat-out illegal. I consider it a form of indirect censorship, and censorship in any form is wrong.

As for an author putting a warning on their work, I would fight tooth and nail to have any of my stuff labeled as such. But to each their own, I suppose.

C.bronco · Jan 4, 2007

PeeDee said:
May I take advantage of this thread to once again beg you all to go look at the First Amendment Rights group and the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund before you announce how little trouble books have? Because believe me, books have a whole world of trouble, and it doesn't get talked about enough.

Video games and music and movies get all the attention, but they do relatively fine in the end. Books are very quietly in a lot of trouble.

Can you give us a link to it?

Celia Cyanide · Jan 4, 2007

PeeDee said:
I live in this happy (made-up)world where people who are intelligent enough to read a book are intelligent enough to stop reading if it offends them. Of course, this isn't the case, they rant and rage and throw a fit and demand that This Book Be Banned For Having Ideas.

Actually, they do stop reading, then demand the book get banned before they even finish.

I know that books have trouble, but I think it's ridiculous that there is a rating system on just about everything but books.

PeeDee · Jan 4, 2007

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund

First Amendment Project

If nothing else, go to CBLDF and buy one of the wonderful Frank Miller T-shirts that has a big scary man on it in classic Uncle Sam pose with "$%*! CENSORSHIP" in big white letters on it. Browse the store, if you can find it.

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