Goodreads Librarians Group discussion

Would it ever be appropriate to put a spoiler alert on an official book description? I mean actually typing the words "spoiler alert" and then a few returns before the book description. Although it's totally my own fault for looking at the second book in a series (The Awakening by Kelly Armstrong) while I was midway through the first in an attempt to get mild spoilers, what I found gave away huge plot points in book one. Silly publishers obviously assume I either have willpower or read book one before book two came out. Anyway, it's not the first time it's happened to me, just the worst. I'm assuming the answer is no, but I appreciate your time in responding. My Mama taught me that it can't hurt to ask!

I'm going to vote no.

I would vote no also - in generally it is what you would read should you pick up the book in a store

My vote would be 'no' as well, for the reasons Paula mentioned.

I ran into a similar issue when I looked at the book description for #2 in a series - told me how the first one would be ending, so a huge spoiler!

What I did do was put in my review for book #1 (and anytime I recommend the series to others) the recommendation that people not read the description for books #2 and #3 before they read the first book. This way I figure I'm trying to warn people about the spoiler, without actually impacting the book description itself.

Don't we edit out spoilers in descriptions? I was under the impression that we did that? Maybe this one just slipped through and needs to be fixed? Is there anyway the spoiler can be taken out without affecting the description?
Carolyn's idea is a great one and I'd have done the same thing but not everyone will see that....

Eva, But this isn't a spoiler for the book in question; it's a spoiler for an earlier book in the same series.

Okay, I get it now, I misunderstood. Is this spoiler about the other book crucial to this book? Is it not something we could edit out? Or is it better to leave it alone?
I'm just thinking while Carolyn's idea is a great one and one I'd have hopefully thought to do myself, only so many people will see it. Many won't so maybe we can help?

My vote would be "no" on adding a spoiler warning to book descriptions and "no" on editing publisher supplied descriptions of books.

The concept of "spoiler" warnings should only cover the current book. Most series descriptions and reviews assume you're caught up to the most recent book in the series. It would be impossible to describe certain series books without mentioning events that occurred in the series.

I don't know if it would be "impossible" although I haven't checked with this specific book. I think if it wouldn't alter the description too drastically it would harm nothing. But it was just an idea and if the supers and GR decide do nothing that's, of course, okay.
On a site like this, not the publishers site of course, people often look further into a series while not having read previous books. I think that alone can make a case for editing - IF - the description wouldn't be altered too much.
mlady, why do you think that spoiler warnings should only cover the current book? Just curious?

♥Eva♥ wrote: "I don't know if it would be "impossible" although I haven't checked with this specific book. I think if it wouldn't alter the description too drastically it would harm nothing. But it was just an i..."

By "impossible" I wasn't referring to this specific book/series, but thinking of another series I'm reading which is up to 19 books. I can't imagine writing a blurb for book 19 without spoiling something from the first 18 books. Actually, quite a lot from the first 18 books. So, in general, I think it would be a horrible trend to start.

Not to mention I think it's a case of censoring to delete part of a publisher supplied blurb. I'm expecting blurbs to be accurate, not edited "for my own good". I would be similarly annoyed to see language (cursing) filtered out.

Personally, I don't think anyone should read blurbs/reviews for future books, participate in series/author related discussion groups, or otherwise join a fandom before "catching up" on a series, especially a long series. If you do any of those things, you do so with the knowledge that you most likely will be spoiled.

Most fandom related groups (that I've seen) tend to only hold a book as spoilers for a month, maybe a year, after publication. After that, expect to be spoiled.

You bring up good points. And you've changed my mind on the matter. I was thinking on it while waiting for you to respond but I couldn't really decide what I thought about the whole thing.
Editing like this could and probably would lead to bad things since everyone has different opinions on what constitutes a spoiler, etc.
Thanks for answering me mlady!

♥Eva♥ wrote: "You bring up good points. And you've changed my mind on the matter."

Thanks! Glad that didn't come out sounding like a rant.

mlady_rebecca wrote: "♥Eva♥ wrote: "You bring up good points. And you've changed my mind on the matter."

Thanks! Glad that didn't come out sounding like a rant."

Ha! It certainly didn't. I've read comments of yours in this group before and you're always well spoken and opinionated. That's why I felt okay asking you those questions. :) Thanks again!

♥Eva♥ wrote: "Editing like this could and probably would lead to bad things since everyone has different opinions on what constitutes a spoiler, etc."

An excellent reason in it's own right Eva. = )