This past week a book I wrote back in 2015 got a lot of attention from a TikTok post by Meredith (forkplotsmut – if you have a TT go follow her.)
I don’t have a TT BTW.
Thank you, Meredith. I so, so, so appreciate that you named Three, Two, One as your ‘spiciest read’. It’s definitely a spicy read. And I also appreciate that you warned people about the content in your quick vid because this book is all kinds of dark and if I were a new author in the 2022 world this book would have a trigger warning list spanning into the dozens.
But I’m not a new author and this book was not written in 2022.
2015 was an entirely different universe in the romance book world and believe it or not, no one was putting trigger warnings on anything. Every once in a while someone would put a big old WARNING at the end of their book description. Three, Two, One has this warning. But it’s a very generic warning. We didn’t list ‘triggers’ back then because, I mean, at least for me, I had never heard of this trigger thing. Also, it was a little bit frowned upon. People actually went around accusing authors of ‘hyping’ their book with these fucking warnings.
So I wasn’t putting warnings on my books even though Tragic, my very first romance bestseller back in 2013, had all kinds of ‘baby’ triggers in there. I honestly can’t recall seeing a single review (and I used to read most, if not all of them, back in 2013) that mentioned they were ‘triggered’ by Rook’s ‘baby issues’. People said they cried. And in my opinion, that’s good. That means I moved you emotionally.
But the point is that back in 2012, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and maybe even 2019 there were no trigger warnings. You might not know this but I’ve published eighty-something books and most of them, because my writing career now spans 10 years, were written before ‘trigger warnings’.
So that’s reason #1 for why my books do not have trigger warnings. It wasn’t a thing.
Now, I DID put a warning on 321 when it published. I have not touched that description for 321 on Amazon since I put it up for sale it in 2015. But the warning was for the ending, and the darkness, and the sex. Because it’s MFM ménage scenario and these were kind of new back then. At least, in this new ebook market of Amazon. But mostly the WARNING was for the ending because the ending is crushing. Is it a HEA? People ask this all the time. I think it is. But readers are free to make up their own minds.
Here is the warning on Three, Two, One:
WARNING: This is a STANDALONE non-traditional M/F/M ROMANCE with a non-traditional ending.
So 321 comes with a warning because the ending is going to crush you. And I wanted people to understand that going in because one of my true obligations to readers as a romance author is to deliver the Happily Ever After. And this book really walks that edge. That’s why my warning says “non-traditional ending”.
The rest of it though? Um… well, that’s just how dark books go. If you open up a dark book and then get mad because shit gets dark, that’s not my fault. It’s not my responsibility to stop you from doing that, either.
If I tell you it’s dark, then the shit is dark. You can take my word on that. I do not hype my books. They don’t need hype. They stand on their own merits. And 321 is a book that stands. And will stand forever. And the entire reason why it’s that kind of book is because of that edgy ending.
Still, I owed my readers this warning about the ending so I put a warning on it. I think my editor was the one who said I should do that. (Thank you, RJ).
I only have two other books where I’ve felt the need for a warning and those books are Meet Me in the Dark (Merc’s book) and Sick Heart. I didn’t even put one on Mr. Romantic and that book probably needs one. lol. Mr. Romantic is ironic. He’s definitely my favorite Mister. And his story was difficult to write, but I’m very glad I did and it’s a great book and addition to the overall series story arc.
But Mr. Romantic is NOT dark. It’s not. It’s got a really ‘triggering’ theme, but it’s not a dark book. Not in the world of JA Huss books, at least.
However… MEET ME IN THE DARK – that title says it all. This is the darkest book I’ve ever written so I put a warning on that book too. Please hold while I go look at that warning because I don’t even remember what it says…
OK. I’m back. The warning on MMITD is:
WARNING: Meet Me in the Dark is a STANDALONE non-traditional DARK, CAPTIVE, ROMANTIC SUSPENSE. It is not intended for sensitive readers.
That should tell you everything you need to know. If you’re a sensitive reader – and I don’t need to describe this, you know who you are—this book IS NOT FOR YOU. Skip it. Move on. Read something else. Don’t open it up and then bitch me out because it’s too much. I just told you that in the warning. I even gave you a hint with the word CAPTIVE. Right? We all know where this is going.
So again, if you see a WARNING on one of my books it’s because I’m fucking serious. I should not have to list individual triggers because who the fuck knows what a trigger is, anyway? (I’ve got more to say about that in a minute.)
The third book I put a warning on is Sick Heart. And I’d say that 90% of this book isn’t even dark and a good 75% of it is actually innocent and sweet. But that 10% that is dark? Yeah. I go there. It’s sick. But again, I just told you that in the title. If I put the word SICK in a title there’s a reason for that.
But it the title wasn’t enough to deter you, then here’s the warning:
WARNING: This is a sweet love story adrift in an ocean of evil. It is about two survivors dealing with their darkest secrets while they fight to change their lives. It is for mature readers only and has descriptions of deeply disturbing situations. There will be pearl clutching.
This book is only a year old so my warnings are little more poetic now. 🙂 So in this warning you see the word EVIL. EVIL, guys. Right? There is no good evil. I do not use this word lightly. And then I tell you it’s deeply disturbing.
Why should I give away the plot with a list of trigger warnings when these two things tell sensitive readers all they need to know?
I don’t see the point.
Which brings me to the third reason why I don’t use trigger warnings.
I don’t really understand them. And up until maybe six months ago, I couldn’t even imagine what a trigger was. I am dead fucking serious. I’m not making this up. My mind doesn’t work on emotions (which is weird, because I use emotions all the time in my work). But I could not, for the life of me, understand what the fuck you people were talking about with your ‘trigger warnings’.
And my imagination is pretty damn good. I just didn’t get it. Nothing triggers me.
Or so I thought. I don’t remember what the inciting incident was for my sudden “trigger warning revelation” all I remember is that one day I suddenly kinda ‘got it’.
It’s the heart palpitations and sense of urgency when I’m watching a horror movie. I hate horror movies. Probably because this shit triggers me. lol I get pissed off at the stupid characters, and yell at the TV, and then I just turn that shit off and do something else. But it’s not for the reason you think.
It’s not because I’m scared. It’s because I’m so busy plotting my escape from the fucking serial killer, or monster, or whatever is scaring the characters on the screen, and I’m SO pissed off that these stupid people can’t see my carefully planned escape route, I just can’t enjoy it.
Because when something ‘triggers me’ I do not shut down. I turn into a super-survivalist. I’m gonna think my way out of this trigger and kick it’s fucking ass.
And I just realized last night that I’ve been this way my entire life. Back when I was a kid in the Seventies (yes, I’m old) there was this show on Saturday afternoons called Superhost. I think this was a local Cleveland thing, but it might’ve been a regional thing. I was like 6, who the fuck knows. The point is that SuperHost used to run old horror movies. (Hmmm… I’m sensing a connection here now…) Old, black and white, horrible special effect horror movies. And one of my favorites was The Blob.
Did you ever see The Blob? Let me give you the plot in three sentences – A meteor crashes to earth releasing an “alien” made out of goop. This goop rolls around until it bumps into a human, then it incorporates the human into the goop and grows bigger and it does this over and over again until it’s fucking huge. But it turns out that the Blob has a kryptonite and the kryptonite is cold. So you can hide in a freezer or blast it with a fire extinguisher and you’re all good.
I was obsessed with this fucking movie. But not the way you think. I went around for years planning my escape from the Blob everywhere I went. I would note all the fire extinguishers so if the Blob rolled up on me in this moment, I was ready.
This is how I handle what you guys call triggers.
I didn’t have a word for it before this revelation, but I guess danger is my trigger – but it doesn’t register as a ‘trigger’ because my trigger doesn’t shut me down. I plot a way to survive and then I just want revenge.
All the other stuff – baby issues, and rape scenarios, and abuse, and war, and death I give no fucks. Now, I will admit that I hate books with illness. Death I’m OK with, but illness, I’m out. I don’t like to watch or read about physical suffering. I kinda hate those plane crash stories too. Or the Sharknado. Shit like that – I’m not interested—not because I’m triggered, but because I’m bored. And I’m not interested in anything related to pedophilia. It’s not a trigger for me, it’s just fucking disgusting.
Sometimes, if books or movies are overtly political, I am not interested. I’m just not going to waste my time. But I’m OK with some politics in stories. It’s not a deal-breaker if it’s done well.
The bottom line is that we just… like what we like. Ya know? I hate certain story lines, you hate certain story lines, and I do my best to give you the general direction of the book using the cover, title, and description without giving things away with a WARNING.
That’s just how I prefer to do it.
But listen – JA HUSS WRITES DARK BOOKS. That’s really all you need to know. If you like dark books perhaps you’ll like my books too. If you don’t, I can assure you – I don’t need to list the triggers to tell you that you won’t like what I write.
Just do yourself a favor and skip them. All of them.
(Except maybe Losing Francesca. If you’re not into dark and you’re absolutely dying to read a JA Huss book for some reason, you can’t go wrong with that one. It’s YA.)
But if you prefer to not read my books because I will not list individual triggers, then that’s your right and I totally understand.
Fist bump.
Julie
OH! P.S. – I’m gonna choose a winner for that Savage Saints Giveaway tomorrow. Sorry it’s late. I’ve been working, working, working and didn’t have time to mess with it. But tomorrow, for sure. 🙂
59 Responses
I love these dark books of yours!! ❤️❤️
I know I find a lot of situational scenes will touch me. Sometimes I cry, sometimes I get angry, and sometimes I laugh. If it’s well-written that’s what it’s supposed to do. And you, Ms Huss, you! Nobody does it better!
Fist bump back to you, Julie! I love all your amazing books! My favorite escape to the book world is the dark!❤
And this, right here, is why I love your books!
I love the dark! That is what attracted me to your writing in the first place. That being said, I also loved Losing Francesca, and I’m so glad you did an audio for it too. <3
Hi Julie,
So great that you’re the writer! Well said to triggers!!
As a 48 year old, who LOVED 321 AND In to Her! Fantastic images and places I dont get to go in real life, but glad you’re here to write it!!
Hi Julie,
I just want to say that I love how you are. That is all. 😊 And I’m sending love to you, Blue, and the rest of your animal tribe. ❤️
I don’t like trigger warnings because they sometimes spoil the books. I like to go in fresh, sometimes not even reading the blurb (definitely not reviews), then you get to a TW that ruins the book for me.
If I had a specific trigger, I suppose I would want that information. But it would be my responsibility to seek it out through reviews etc. It’s a touchy subject. You don’t want people upset over something that hurts them so badly.
I’d say that the only thing that really bothers me is when a dog or cat or cute animal gets killed. Otherwise, I’m good.
I love all your books. I’ve been a fan for years and always will be.
The Blob scared the shit out of me and gave me nightmares for years. My (mean) older brother made me watch it when i was like 6 years old and I didn’t sleep for weeks! Totally agree with everything you say about trigger warnings especially with your books. If you don’t like dark, skip it. I love your stories. Keep doing you, Julie! Your fans get you and we fucking love you!
I absolutely love your books!!! Thank you for sharing your talent!!! I listened to Sick Heart on Audible and WOW! The ending was perfect and adding it with the music just took it to another level!!! What is the name of the song at the end? So loved it!
I’m not a triggered reader. I do dislike scary movies and books. We had Monster Matinee every Saturday and Fright Night Friday. The movies were black white. The Blob! Lol I was most frightened by the witch on Oz. I plug my ears to watch scary shit. If I can’t hear, I seem to handle it better.
I’m slowly catching up on your back catalogue. I love them all so far and am excited to read the rest.
I love your stories dark or not. I am 72 but I will admit that I am experiencing a few new feelings from your books and characters. Love your mind Julie.
You are an original.
Thank goodness for that.
#banthetriggerwarnings
It’s funny because I never read the trigger warnings anyway. Some authors over exaggerate them, maybe for shock value I don’t know. Most books that say dark I don’t even find dark.
Your books just always have such amazing stories. While 321 made me sad, I think it was good ending.
First, I was a child in the 70’s as well. I don’t feel old most of the time and I can’t imagine you as old with that amazing freaking imagination lol. I think maybe we just suck it up and deal as a coping mechanism because I don’t understand trigger warnings either. Maybe that’s not the best, and maybe it includes some pretty deep emotional denial but hey, it works for me! I have dealt with some crazy shit in my life and when a book makes me laugh or cry or think about it long after I’m done reading, well, I love it. Your books have impacted me that way over and over. In fact, I’m delaying the creeping series, (2 down, 2 to go) because of the emotion I feel when I read your books. 3,2,1 was fucking great. Period. Full stop. I read a lot of books. So many that they blur together and I can’t always remember them clearly. I remember your books. I don’t skim your books as I find myself doing others. I read fast and sometimes don’t take time to process the intended emotional response. Yours make me process. So thank you. And don’t worry about trigger warnings. If some readers need them, they will understand quickly what yours could be after book #1. Thank you for your work. 💙
321 was my first book I read of yours and I wanted more. I looked you up, found a reading list of all your book and Bam 💥 I was off and running! I’m so in love with the dark world and your mind! Thank you
Ms. Huss, I have read almost all your books. Was never “triggered” once. The snowflakes who get “triggered” should stick to Nora Roberts.
Dark or not I love the way you twist the situation so that it still turns out happy. We had an afternoon horror movie series when I was a kid. It was hosted be Elvira mistress of the dark. Campy horror was nothing like the ones today, I don’t like horror today either.
I’m a firm believer in reader responsibility. Authors have no way of predicting what will trigger a reader.
Spoiling a book for readers because a few might throw a fit is ridiculous. And the readers who are that sensitive need to put in the work to ensure they avoid things that can upset them.
I just love you! You say what you say and that’s it. Just put it right out there and let it go! I think everyone is triggered by something, I know I am, but I choose to not let it stop me from enjoying the good things in life, like your books!
I do remember the Movie the Blob lol and thankfully I have never seen a trigger or whatever the fuck that means lol but you write it I will listen to it bottom line.
I just wanted to say that I absolutely love everything about you, Julie! I swear we must have been separated at birth. I get you, and I’m sure you would get me too. Keep being you and doing what you’re doing, because you are a fucking amazing author. I love you books and binge on them quite often. Kinda loved this newsletter because I’m re-listening to 321 right now.
Julie, just like your EOBS this email was the shit bitch! I love how you put it straight, oh and how your stance on this issue (and many others) is the same as mine! It’s so refreshing to find someone who thinks like me 😀
I was a babe from the 70’s too – are we old? Yes, and that means we can say what we want! People can move along if they don’t like what is being said, they are not forced to listen.
I shall step away from the soap box now, otherwise I shall rant…
Thanks for being real 😀
OMG! I’m always asking people if they’ve seen The Blob and nobody ever knows what I’m talking about. When I was about 5, I accidentally saw part of The Blob. It was on TV and I don’t remember how I happened to see it, but I did. I couldn’t tell my parents that I saw it, but I was petrified that it lived in my closet and under my bed. I don’t think I slept soundly till I moved away to college. I recently watched it and kinda laughed at the old movie. But…had a damn nightmare about it again that night!! The Blob was 2022 updated though and way more powerful!
It’s funny, I never once thought of a “trigger” in the way you’ve described…it wasn’t until recent years that I actually thought of it at all. I just steer clear of anything that might be a trigger for me…I don’t like the anxiety feeling it gives me so, best not to do it. Ha! But, dang girl! I need to come hang out with you and learn some survivalist shit!
I agree with everything you wrote. I told my husband you don’t like to leave trigger warnings and he interrupted me to say that it would give to much away. Us smart people know what’s up.
I love all your books and that they’re dark that’s my jam! Like you said it’s not for everyone. You’re an awesome writer!
I stumbled on your books a few years ago. I read/listened to them multiple times and still find new stuff in them. I can’t tell you, how many books I started to read and gave up on them within a few pages. That is never ever the case with your books. Sometimes, depending on my mood, I skip a scene that on that day is too disturbing. Overall, I love your never boring books and your wild imagination. Keep on writing.
When I write a review I don’t like using the term trigger warning. I personally think it çan hurt a book or cause someone to pass over the book and author. I will say very adult language and adult content as A warning but that’s it. Its not my job to criticize it or the books content. Their are things that I don’t like to read like molestation or humantion sex but if it’s part of the book I deal with it.
I’ve never been triggered by a book but I know what I like. If I had been asked what type of books I would definitely NOT read, I would have included dark, violent and, very probably, ménage/harem type shenanigans 🔥. I found Rook and Ronin via a Facebook ad and read the blurb and decided to give it a try. Wow. Am I glad I did. 37 books later and I think I can honestly say J A Huss is my fave. To be fair, those 37 also include the Julie and Johnathan collaborations, which I also love, but Julie is the common denominator. Why do I love these books so much? Well, obviously the great writing and the humour that shines through, but the main thing is the characters. I love them all, even when they’re being dicks, I love them. I maybe (definitely) won’t read any “dark” books by different authors because I honestly don’t think I could find any that could even come close to all those amazing Huss characters that have just worked their way into my life. Yes, I know they are not real people and that I will never ever meet them, but I care about them and want to know their stories, even more than I want to know my own family’s 🫣.
If there had been trigger warnings, I know I would not have started Rook and Ronin’s story and would have missed out on the joy of the last 6 months. Imagine never having known Spencer, Ford, Five, James, all The Misters (I just can’t choose one), The Bossy Bros (again, I can’t choose), and that’s just from The Company. I could just name every character really, couldn’t I. Probably my favourite non-company is Tyler but I do love them all.
So, apologies for the long winded, fan-girl comment to basically say nah, I don’t like trigger warnings 😂
In another author’s Facebook group this week, we were asked to list the five books that most define our reading tastes. Mine are quite eclectic. Ironically, of the two romance novels I listed, one of them was 321 by JA Huss. <3 So it's funny that's the book of yours that's getting a boost this week. I wish I had time for a re-read right now!
I get your take on this. Besides… ‘triggers’ are very individualized. The possibilities are endless. No way to try to mention enough to make it helpful. Your descriptions are plenty. Ready for your next book!❤️
Well said ! Everyone should take some responsibility for themselves, and stop complaining!
There you go.. Using Common sense. Unfortunately, common sense doesn’t seem to be so common these days.
If you are not sure about an author read up on them. The type of books they write. If you don’t like dark romance stay away from it.
Love your books. Have not read them all. Yey.
I did not know what a trigger warning was, either. I’ve read plenty of books over the years and still don’t what would/will trigger me.
If the word “dark” appears, you would think people would understand that this book is not going to be sweet smelling roses.
Hey Julie. I love your books. I haven’t read all of them…yet. I miss your “Shape of Our Love” series. I had the Triangle and the Square. I need a circle or an octagon or something, lol. That was an awesome series.
As you may already know, in a very short time I’ve become a huge fan! I’m almost done with all your books (I’m leaving the Junco Omnibus for the end) but I will hit pause in my rush to go back and AGAIN listen to 321, Sick Heart and of course Meet me in the Dark! I will through in Losing Francesca just for kicks. No need for trigger warnings for me. Sending you tons of hugs.
I have read all your books Julie and I’m not triggered by anything! I do spend time wondering where you come up with story lines. You are by far my favorite author! If people complain I say Fuck ’em!!!
I am amazed that I have found someone who feels the same way as I do about trigger warnings. Perhaps it’s an old school thing, I’m only 36 but feel like I was raised pretty traditionally, but I don’t have any triggers per say. There are most definitely things I don’t like in my books but nothing that is going to make me need therapy and medications. And that to me is what triggered means. If you don’t like dark books don’t read them it’s your choice! And I agree your titles and descriptions say enough so trigger warnings are not required. I absolutely adore the way you think and there need to be more writers like you out there! Very well worded Julie!
Hell effing yeah!!! I love your books, your mind and your EOS!!! I didn’t stumble upon Jesse but since Jan 2021, I have read everything I can get my hands on even KC Cross and while the themes are different the YOU of the books is there, please keep writing the way you do! Do you abs if they don’t like it they can suck it!!! You’re an amazing writer and I really wish I could find out if the company ever did anything in tv so maybe my husband will stop being so snappy about my monthly audible bill 🫣
Fist bump back at ya! 👊 Very well said. No trigger warnings needed. Do your research. If you don’t like a book don’t keep reading it.
Julie, I love your books, 321 being one of my very favorite. All I can say is, keep up the good work and yours is good work!! Love you!!
Way to defend yourself….we know you ge a dark lady…love your way with words
I love everything you have ever wrote, especially your DARK, SUSPENSEFUL & TWISTED ROMANCE because it did what taking therapy didn’t do for me for years (all my respect to psychologists and psychiatrists out there), helped me cope with life changing traumas that started in my childhood.
All my top favorite authors ever, mostly write Dark Romance and I can’t get enough of them.
I’ve been getting my yard ready for landscaping. My son-in-law Zachariah is going to plant a decorative tree in the middle of the yard as a focal point. It’s going to be a Kousa Japanese Dogwood. Then putting in several Knockout Rose bushes with Giant Hostas in between them. That will be all for this year, but will add more plants next year. Looking forward to seeing pictures of your farm and some more of your animals and the bees.
You do you boo. You CANNOT please everyone in this “today’s” world! Too many sensitive motherfuckers! I love all your books, and will patiently wait for the next release. My triggers? Your books! To escape and be entertained just like they are meant to be.
Triggers? Only when I know you have a new book coming out. Triggers my anxiety…when?! have to plan ahead of time getting no sleep, no meals, no interruptions. Love your style. Never change lady!
Love the world you have made and so glad I found it ❤️ ♥️ 💕
Love your books because they’re dark!
Trigger warnings? What’s that? An american thing again? Like the milion warnings they put on microwave owens so you don’t cook your cat in it? Well I love Julies twists. In the beginning I tried to guess the direction in which it will go, but by now I gave up. It’s impossible.
Thank you for the blog and your comments on “triggers” I have so much else to say but I will keep it polite and say the world could use a lot less use of the word “trigger” but I am “old” school on the subject. I love your work and will always be obsessed by the worlds you create and your characters and I will share them all.
Righteous points!
Love your books whether they’re light or dark. You know that saying” if you can’t take the heat stay out of the kitchen “
I actually can take a lot of heat … so bring on the dark. 😊
The trigger warnings just make me laugh. My opinion is that if you’re seriously triggered by a story, there is a whole Young Adult Fiction section for you. Please enjoy those. We definitely don’t need more warning labels. We also need to stop coddling f**king adults. I’ve loved each of your books (I’ve only gotten through each of your Audiobooks, but I’ll get to the rest when my kids move out. It’s on my bucket list to have every single one of them). You’re awesome and I thank you for keeping me sane.
It’s hard because when I made the tiktok I was remembering the book from 6/7 years ago that I absolutely loved and it has stuck with me through years and years of reading. I don’t have triggers and I agree I hate giving anything away but in todays culture it’s like you’re punished for not warning people that something may offend them. And as someone who never wants to cause anyone else any kind of harm that line becomes a trapeeze covered in vasoline so as a lifetime reader introducing my older books that I love feels weird when the audience is in general people new to adult reading. I’m glad more people have found you and love your books.
Huss readers are built different because you write top tier books that are in a league of their own. You bring the dark and sexy and never leave out the plot! You are a favorite of mine and I hope others feel that way as well 🖤
Aww, thank you Meredith! I really appreciate your tiktok AND the warnings that you gave. It’s no good when you attract the wrong readers. And I think that short vid pretty much said it all in just the right way. 🙂
If people believe the world is full of light then they are kidding themselves.
To appreciate the light you must have been in the dark fist.
Write it however it works for you Julie.. I am fairly certain that those of us who read your books get it,want more of what you create and we don’t feel the need to vilify you for your subject choice, character development, or Triggering situations, etc.
Opions are like arseholes everyone’s got one!
Some of them stink.
I love your books, Julie. I have survived some pretty traumatic shit and yes, some of the content makes me remember. But you know what? Then I realize what a bad ass I am for surviving that shit and how happy I am with my own life today. Life’s not perfect – I still struggle and have health issues and tough days but your books are amazing and help me through the day. There’s nothing like sitting in the infusion chair sitting through a treatment and escaping by listening to your characters face their own crazy shit. Makes my day because honestly sometimes I feel like a character in your book.