Does all horror need a content warning?

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   I typically say "no horror" when I put my name on the beta list, but this time I had to write horror, so... I wrote something that wasn't overtly violent and focused instead on psychological horror, not graphic. 

I did decline to beta a story that triggered some of my PTSD, but there's no way the writer would have known about it as it was personal to me, not a common trigger. And that author wasn't writing horror, so it wasn't on them to post any warnings, IMO. It was on me to back away and let it go. 

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LilyCat Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Groupie Joined: 06 Nov 2020 Status: Offline Points: 161	Post Options Post Reply Quote LilyCat Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 3:46pm
	I typically say "no horror" when I put my name on the beta list, but this time I had to write horror, so... I wrote something that wasn't overtly violent and focused instead on psychological horror, not graphic. I did decline to beta a story that triggered some of my PTSD, but there's no way the writer would have known about it as it was personal to me, not a common trigger. And that author wasn't writing horror, so it wasn't on them to post any warnings, IMO. It was on me to back away and let it go.
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annemarie Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Addict Joined: 26 Jan 2020 Location: WESTERN AUSTRAL Status: Offline Points: 916	Post Options Post Reply Quote annemarie Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 4:01pm
	In my opinion, anyone who reads a horror story should expect some level of violence and gore. Unless your story deals with some really specific scenes (child abuse, animal torture or the like), I'd say no.
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mistressposte Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Regular Joined: 13 Aug 2022 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 370	Post Options Post Reply Quote mistressposte Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 7:25pm
	This is a great question. When I entered the FF (1000 words, I think) I assumed that horror didn't need a CW. But some of the negative feedback was about the violence - it never occurred to me that that could be an issue. However, a CW means that your story will only be shared with judges who are happy to read that kind of content so I will definitely include one moving forward. Edited by mistressposte - 28 Jan 2023 at 7:26pm
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taaaylor Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Black Belt Joined: 14 Jul 2018 Location: Idaho Status: Offline Points: 5511	Post Options Post Reply Quote taaaylor Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Jan 2023 at 11:52pm
	NYCM organizers, if you read this: THANK YOU for adding a space for content warnings on the main submission page! It's a sincere relief to be able to write about difficult topics while giving the courtesy of a warning to judges. I am diagnosed with PTSD, and content warnings truly matter for people who are in different stages of healing from trauma. I'm honestly really heartened to see NYCM display such respect and regard for their readers. I'm just so relieved and so happy. What a great addition Thank you Charlie and co.!
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