How to Cite Republished Book in MLA

There are many reasons that a company or organization might republish a book, including to correct mistakes or add new information. In some instances, the republished version of the book will include an editor. When citing a republished book in MLA format, there are specific guidelines to follow. Let’s break down the steps using examples and explanations.

How to Cite Republished Book in MLA

CITATION ELEMENTS OF REPUBLISHED BOOK

  • Contributors: Begin by listing the individuals, groups, or organizations involved in creating or adapting the republished book. Provide their names or group/organization names as appropriate.
  • Title (in Italics): Write the title of the book in italics. This is followed by a period.
  • Original Publication Date: Include the original publication date of the book.
  • Version (if any): If the book has multiple editions or versions, indicate it here. For instance, if it’s the second edition or a revised edition (e.g. 2nd ed., or rev. ed.,), mention it.
  • Publisher: Write the name of the publisher of the original publication.
  • Re-Publication Date: Include the year the book was republished.
  • DOI (if available): If there is a Digital Object Identifier (DOI) available, add it at the end of the citation. If a DOI is present, replace the period after the re-publication date with a comma.

EXAMPLEs OF REPUBLISHED BOOK

Books that were reprinted or made available online:

Citation
Steinbeck, John. Of Mice and Men. 1937. Penguin Books, 2012, doi:10.56789jyy.
Structure
Author Surname, Author First Name(s) &/or Initial(s). Title of Book. Original Publication Date. Publisher, Re-Publication Date, doi.
Citation
Fitzgerald, Scott. The Great Gatsby. 1925. Scribner, 2004.
Structure
Author Surname, Author First Name(s) &/or Initial(s). Title of Book. Original Publication Date. Publisher, Re-Publication Date.

Books that were republished with an editor:

Citation
Austen, Jane. Pride and Prejudice. Edited by Donald Gray, Norton, 1996.
Structure
Author Surname, Author First Name. Title of Book. Edited by Editor First Name Editor Surname, Publisher, Re-Publication Date.

Books with more than one edition:

When you are citing a source that has historical significance, i.e., a play by Shakespeare, you will need to include the original publication date. However, when citing a textbook, the opposite is true. You will only include the most recent publication date so that your reader understands you are including the most up-to-date information.

Citation
Dutton, Donald G. The Abusive Personality: Violence and Control in Intimate Relationships. 2nd ed., The Guilford P, 2007. 
Structure
Author Surname, Author First Name(s) &/or Initials. Title of Book. Number of Edition, Publisher, Re-Publication Date.

Specify the Edition: If the republished book is a new edition or has been revised, make sure to specify the edition in your citation. This information helps readers locate the exact version of the book you are referring to and ensures accuracy in academic research.

Provide Access Information (if available): If the republished book is available online or in a digital format, include the relevant access information in your citation. This may include a DOI (Digital Object Identifier), depending on where the book can be accessed. Providing access information helps readers locate the source easily and ensures the credibility of your research.

Original Published Date: Although the primary date of importance is the version consulted, including the original publication date can offer readers valuable insights into the work’s historical context and its relationship to other texts. While not obligatory and sometimes not readily available in the source, specialists may find it beneficial to provide the original date for reader understanding. This is also true for internal use in the research paper. 

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Tomas Elliott (Ph.D.)

Tomas Elliott is an assistant Professor of English at Northeastern University London. His research specialisms include the history of theatre and film, European modernism, world literature, film adaptation, transmedia studies and citation practices. He read English and French Literature at Trinity College, Oxford, before completing a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature and Literary Theory at the University of Pennsylvania.

Learn how to cite in MLA