The Writer Blog Prompt Project – Content Warnings

Posted on February 14, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Week 3 of the prompt project sees us tackling the subject of Content Warnings, which is not something I’ve given much thought to.

Over the years I’ve read widely in horror, thriller, psychological thriller, crime, fantasy and romance. Most of these genres you expect dark and sometimes grisly themes, so the idea of content warnings seems unnecessary. However, in recent times I’ve noticed it becoming more accepted to offer these warnings.

I’ve had reviewers mention things in my books that might be a trigger to others. Sometimes these are small plot points that don’t seem relevant to me as an author, but clearly they could be issues for readers. I’ve entered competitions where they ask you to list all triggers that might affect the judges. The same goes for book review sites. These all make sense as having the wrong readers for your books will only hurt both parties. But doesn’t having content warnings take away the mystery of picking up a brand new book and just diving straight in?

I’m really on the fence about this and haven’t put content warnings on my books yet.

What do you think as a reader or an author? Are these warnings necessary?

I can only think of one time when the content of a book stopped me reading on. Not the book itself, but I didn’t continue with the series after book 1. It was Mark Lawrence One Word Kill. The teenage character is dying – which it states in the first line of the blurb, so no surprises there. But at the time of reading my son was the same age, and I just found it too uncomfortable imagining him going through cancer treatment etc. It was a good book and well written as are all Mark Lawrence’s books (and some of his books have very DARK themes) but this one was not for me.

Would a content warning have stopped me picking it up? No. I didn’t realise I would be triggered by anything like this and I probably wouldn’t be now. It was just how I felt at the time.

Do you have triggers that you’d rather not read about? Or do you go into a book open minded and take what the author throws at you?

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Thanks for Ari for suggesting this interesting topic in her Writer Blog Prompt Project. Here is a link to Ari’s post on content warnings where she will also add links to any other blogs that decide to take part this week.

The next topic up for discussion – D is for Drop Caps.

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The Writer Blog Prompt Project B is for Book Trailers

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

Last week the prompt from Ari Meghlen was Book Trailers – now that is a subject I didn’t expect to be writing about at the moment. But I want to take part in the weekly blog challenge so here goes…

I don’t see many book trailers. I guess I don’t hang out where they are shown and I don’t go out of my way to find them. But they do have a place and, done right, can be a real game changer for authors. There is no doubt the world of social media has become very visual, so authors need to move with the times.

When I bring out my romance series later this year I will be using all forms of promotion to reach readers and that will include book trailers.

My son is a music production graduate. He makes amazing music so I will be commissioning his help for that. My daughter is learning digital art so I’m also hoping she will be able to help in some way as well. It would be great to work on the project as a family – though not just for the free labour! (only joking, I would pay them for their time.)

I have dabbled with book trailers in the past, well I had one made for me to promote the audiobook of The Lost Sentinel. The narrator’s wife put together a video on Youtube. It was fun to see my book brought to life in a different medium, but it’s no longer available to watch so I can’t share the link.

I don’t feel very qualified to talk about book trailers but I’m excited at the prospect of doing my own and seeing what works.

As I planned out this blog post I listened to Radioactive by Imagine Dragons and one line in the song stands out ‘…welcome to the new age…’. I suppose that’s how indie authors need to look at book trailers and everything involved in publishing our books.

Later this week the topic of choice is Content Warnings.

Here is the link to Ari’s post on Book Trailers. She shares some great tips, so it’s worth having a read.

Until next time…

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The Writer Blog Prompt Challenge – A for Achievement

Posted on January 31, 2026 by Suzanne Rogerson Author

This is the start of a 26 week blog challenge set by Ari Meghlan. I think it’s a great idea and have decided to play along. This week’s word is Achievement.

My big achievement is the fact I’ve been an indie author for 10 years!

This milestone passed by very quietly on 16th November 2025. I suppose I wasn’t feeling very successful and didn’t want to advertise the fact that I’m not yet a big name in the book world, nor am I able to support myself with writing alone.

But now I am ready to celebrate it, because although there have been a lot of challenges, it can’t be denied that I have achieved one of my dreams…

I am a published author with 4 full length novels and 4 short story collections to my name.

I have plans to write and publish a lot more over the next 10 years. My books have been downloaded by thousands of people and I’ve hit a few bestseller lists on Amazon, albeit briefly. My books have had lots of wonderful reviews, and I’ve even had the amazing experience of being called a reader’s favourite author. In 2021 I was a finalist in the book bloggers novel of the year with The Lost Sentinel, and the opening of my romance novel Secrets and Love Songs at The Mermaid Hotel came second in the flash 500 novel opening competition in 2023.

One of the biggest achievements came early on when I was contacted by a publisher and had my debut, Visions of Zarua, translated into Czech. I travelled to Prague, visited my publisher and the local bookshops to see my books on the shelves.

The last 10 years have involved a lot of learning, and plenty of tears, but I wouldn’t go back and change it. This is my achievement and I am owning it today.

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Thank you to Ari for starting off this challenge. Here is a link to her post on Achievement where she shares her thoughts on the subject and also links to anyone else who has decided to take part. Please take a look and join in if you feel inspired.

Next week B is for Book trailer.