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Written by: Texas Authors Institute of History

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 10 June 2025

Hits: 1222

Full Expanded Definitions

At ReadSafeRatings, we use a clear, expanded system to provide readers and librarians with honest, transparent information—while respecting authors’ creative freedom. Here’s what each rating means:

C / Children’s Books
Intended for children under 6 years old.

• No violence, strong language, or adult themes.

• Simple, positive, age-appropriate content.

G / General Audiences
Suitable for all ages.

• No strong language, violence, or explicit themes.

• Safe for family and community reading.

PG / Parental Guidance Suggested
Some mild language, mild peril, or thematic elements.

• No explicit sexual content or graphic violence.

• Recommended for readers with parental guidance.

PG-13 / Teen Readers
Moderate violence or mild to moderate sexual references.

• Swearing may be present.

• Recommended for ages 13 and up.

R / Mature Readers
Strong language.

• Intense violence or horror elements.

• Explicit sexual scenes or adult themes.

• Recommended for ages 17 and up.

NC-17 / Adults Only
Extremely graphic violence or sexual content.

• Explicit themes unsuitable for minors.

• Recommended for adults only.

Additional Content Labels

To provide even more context, ReadSafeRatings uses additional labels when needed:

• EL – Explicit Language

• V – Violence / Gore

• SC – Sexual Content

• DA – Drug / Alcohol Use

• ST – Sensitive Topics (e.g., abuse, trauma)

These labels help readers and librarians understand exactly what’s in a book—without restricting access.

Downloadable Image

For easy reference, we’ve prepared a downloadable image with the complete rating definitions and labels.
Use it in your library, bookstore, or classroom—or share it with fellow authors.

Details

Written by: Texas Authors Institute of History

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 10 June 2025

Hits: 1546

Empowering Readers & Authors through Transparency

A voluntary, author-led book content rating system that informs readers and protects the creative voices of authors—while standing up to book bans and censorship.

Submit Your Book for Rating

Learn More About the Program

What is ReadSafeRatings?

ReadSafeRatings is a community-driven book content rating system created by the Texas Authors Museum & Institute of History, Inc.

Modeled after trusted systems in music and film, it helps authors protect their work, librarians navigate new laws and challenges, and readers make informed choices.

It’s about transparency and choice—not censorship.

Key Benefits

For Authors:

• Build trust with readers, libraries, and retailers.
• Protect your book from arbitrary complaints and challenges.
• Showcase your work with confidence and clarity.

For Librarians & Schools:

• Clear, consistent ratings to guide your acquisitions.
• Reduce confusion or fear around new book ban laws.
• Support access to a diverse range of voices.
• Access a Database of Books that have been reviewed.

For Communities:

• Encourage open dialogue and informed decisions.
• Foster lifelong reading by giving parents and readers clear guidance—without restricting creativity.

How It Works (3 Steps)

1 - Submit your book.
Authors provide their book file, basic details, and choose a rating package.

2 - Receive your rating.
A neutral, fair review assigns your book a rating (C, G, PG, PG-13, R, NC-17) and any additional content labels.

3 - Share it proudly.
Use digital badges and high-quality stickers to showcase your rating and build trust with readers and librarians.

Educational Highlight: “C” Rating for Children’s Books

New! We’ve added a “C” rating to specifically cover picture books and early readers for children under 6 years old.
This ensures the youngest readers have access to safe, positive, and developmentally appropriate content.

Submit Your Book Today

Join the movement to protect your voice, your book, and your readers.

Submit your book for a ReadSafeRatings review today and be part of the growing community of authors and librarians standing together for transparency and creative freedom.

Learn how to properly Submit Your Book for Rating

Details

Written by: Texas Authors Institute of History

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 10 June 2025

Hits: 1277

Our Mission

At ReadSafe Ratings, our mission is to empower authors, librarians, and readers with transparent, voluntary book content ratings.

We believe in preserving the integrity of books and upholding every author’s right to be heard—while helping parents and communities make informed choices.

We created this program in response to new threats like Texas SB13 and SB412, which make it alarmingly easy for any book to be challenged and removed based on a single complaint. Our ratings provide clear, neutral information—not censorship—so that books stay on the shelves and in the hands of readers.

Why Ratings Matter

The idea of book ratings might seem new, but it’s already a trusted practice in music, movies, and video games.
For books, a voluntary, author-led rating system does three essential things:

• Protects authors by giving them a proactive tool to address vague or arbitrary complaints.

• Supports librarians and booksellers in navigating new laws and community pressures with confidence.

• Empowers readers—including parents and teachers—to choose books that fit their needs, without restricting creativity.

Research shows that book bans disproportionately impact marginalized authors and limit access for everyone. Our system gives authors and librarians a way to push back against censorship while fostering open dialogue.

How It Works (Expanded)

Step 1: Submit Your Book
Authors submit their book manuscript, choose a rating package (Basic, Standard, or Premium), and provide basic book details.

Step 2: Neutral Content Review
Our reviewers assess the book’s content based on these clear, expanded rating definitions:

• C (Children’s Books): For children under 6—safe, positive content only.

• G (General Audiences): All ages—no strong language, violence, or adult themes.

• PG (Parental Guidance Suggested): Mild language or thematic elements—parental guidance recommended.

• PG-13 (Teen Readers): Moderate violence or sexual references—ages 13+.

• R (Mature Readers): Strong language, intense violence, explicit scenes—ages 17+.

• NC-17 (Adults Only): Explicit content or graphic violence—adults only.

• Additional Labels: EL, V, SC, DA, ST—added for even clearer context.

Step 3: Share Your Rating
Authors receive:

• Their book’s assigned rating and content warnings.

• A digital badge to promote their rating online.

• High-quality stickers (optional) to add to their book for retailers, schools, or events.

• Inclusion in the ReadSafeRatings Directory—a trusted resource for libraries, schools, and communities.

Step 4: Build Community Support
By participating, authors show that they’re responsible stewards of their stories and committed to readers’ freedom of choice.

We encourage authors and librarians to meet locally or virtually to discuss the program, build support, and advocate for creative freedom.

Join the Movement

We’re stronger together.

By joining ReadSafeRatings, you’re helping to protect your book, your voice, and the freedom of readers everywhere. Let’s stand united against censorship—and ensure every story has the chance to be heard.

Ready to get involved?

[Submit Your Book Today]

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Details

Written by: Texas Authors Institute of History

Category: Uncategorised

Published: 23 May 2025

Hits: 1174

2025 Lone Star Literary Extravaganza

Texas Author Con

The Texas Authors Museum is thrilled to recognize the Texas Author and Reader Con as the Best Lone Star Literary Extravaganza in Texas for 2025. Now in its fourth year, this dynamic event has grown into a cornerstone of Texas’ literary scene, bringing together a vibrant mix of authors and readers from across genres and generations. Held at the Irving Convention Center, the 2025 Con was a free, family-friendly celebration that embodied everything we believe Texas literature should be—diverse, accessible, and brimming with community spirit. From science fiction and romance to horror and westerns, the event offered something for every reader, transforming the convention space into a living, breathing library of voices and stories.

What sets the Texas Author and Reader Con apart is its unwavering dedication to connection—between readers and authors, genres and generations, passion and purpose. Through interactive panels, book signings, live readings, and countless moments of inspiration, this event has elevated the literary arts while giving a powerful platform to independent voices. It is a festival that celebrates the past, present, and future of Texas storytelling. For its exceptional commitment to literacy, inclusion, and literary celebration, we proudly name the Texas Author and Reader Con the Best Lone Star Literary Extravaganza of 2025.