Content Warnings

The Manitoba Writers Guild is committed to creating a safe space for not only its members but for anyone who wishes to attend our events. Creating this space requires collaboration. Part of the effort in creating a safe space is ensuring that anyone in attendance of any event whether it be an MWG-members-only event or a public event be confident that they have agency over what content they are exposed to.

It is crucial that the need for content warnings not be conflated with censorship. Instead, it should be appreciated and respected as a step forward towards fostering an inclusive environment. With that said, the MWG requires that those who wish to share their work adhere by the MWG’s requirements to identify subject matter that fall under the following:

The following items are zero tolerance. Scenes with graphic depictions of the following cannot be read at book launches.

  • Abuse 
  • Alcoholism
  • Drugs
  • Eating disorders
  • Gun violence / school shootings
  • Real world racism
  • Real world religious prejudice
  • Queerphobia (homophobia, transphobia, etc)
  • Sexism

The author must provide a complete list of trigger warnings ahead of the book launch to be shared with advertising in the MWGs newsletter and website.

Trigger warnings for these items are required in advance of the material being shared and read:

  • Abuse (except sexual abuse)
  • Alcoholism
  • Blood
  • Bullying
  • Death
  • Drugs
  • Eating disorders
  • Gun violence / school shootings
  • Profanity
  • Queerphobia
  • Real world racism
  • Real world religious prejudice
  • Sexism
  • Slavery

If you are uncertain whether your content requires a warning you can refer to the list of trigger warnings (linked below), or reach out and we will be happy to provide further assistance. 

While the MWG encourages and supports writers’ self-expression and respects writers’ rights to share their work, the MWG will not tolerate the following subject matter under no circumstances:

  • Abortion
  • Abusive relationship
  • Gore
  • Miscarriage
  • Rape / attempted rape
  • Self-harm
  • Sexual abuse / sexually explicit scenes
  • Suicide

The goal is to afford members of the community in attendance of our events to opt out of exposure to content they are not comfortable with.

Skip to content