The Case Against Profanity– “The Parlance of the Fool”

“Profanity is the parlance of the fool. Why curse when there is such a magnificent language with which to discourse?”

Theodore Roosevelt

The issue of profanity in books is hotly contested. Many argue that profanity reflects realistic dialogue and adds authenticity to storytelling, and we wish them the very best. But we won’t be publishing any of their books.

Here’s why– Would you believe me if I told you that I could suggest a thrilling, heart pounding book with no profanity, and you wouldn’t even notice its absence?

It’s true. Think of this scene from the classic Disney movie “Mulan.” Notice how the transition from hopeful singing to this goreless scene of war is abrupt, intense and dramatic. The focus on a doll, rather than a corpse, somehow fills the viewer with even more dread.

Engaging descriptions lead to vivid internal visualisations and these are the bread and butter of reading.

Concise, direct dialogue packs a much bigger punch than any expletive ever could.

Rather than relying on profanity as a shortcut for conveying emotion or creating tension, we encourage our authors to apply mastery in their writing through rich character development, varied vocabulary, enhanced emotional depth and best practices for engaging dialogue. We’ve never been disappointed with the result, and you won’t be either!

At White Lake Press, we believe that great writing doesn’t need to rely on profanity to be impactful or authentic. In short, we do not police authors to adhere to a subjective language standard based solely on our personal moral beliefs. Rather, our content standards regarding profanity are based firmly in our commitment to high quality writing, which is much more likely to be achieved when profanity is absent.

Our Commitment to You

At White Lake Press, we are dedicated to providing high-quality, wholesome books that entertain, educate, and inspire. Our curated selection is designed to foster family bonding, emotional growth, and values-based learning. We believe that great storytelling can be achieved without resorting to profanity, and we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of writing excellence.

We invite you to explore our collection and discover the beauty and power of profanity-free literature. Our goal is to support you in nurturing your child’s love for reading while ensuring they are exposed to content that aligns with your family’s values.

Thank You for Trusting White Lake Press

Thank you for being a part of the White Lake Press family. We are honored to support you in your journey to provide your children with enriching and wholesome reading materials. Together, we can create a world where stories uplift, inspire, and make a lasting positive impact.

Warm regards,

Miriam Monette
Co-founder, White Lake Press