Cite Book with Anonymous Author in APA

• Tomas Elliott (MA)
• Published on 04/17/2024

In academic writing, citing sources accurately is crucial for giving credit to the original authors and allowing readers to locate the sources used. When it comes to citing a book with an anonymous author in APA (American Psychological Association) style, there are specific guidelines to follow. This article will provide a detailed guide on how to cite such sources, including both in-text citations and the reference list entry.

CITATION ELEMENTS OF BOOK WITH AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR

When citing a book with an anonymous author in APA style, the reference list entry should include the following elements in detail:

• Author: Use the term “Anonymous” followed by a period. Since the author’s name is unknown, “Anonymous” serves as a placeholder.
• Year of Publication: Enclose the year of publication within round brackets.
• Title: Italicize the title of the book. If the book has a specific edition or volume, include this information in round brackets after the title.
• Publisher(s): Provide the name(s) of the publisher(s) responsible for producing the book. If there are multiple publishers, separate their names with semicolons.
• DOI (Digital Object Identifier): If available, include the DOI in the format: https://doi.org/xxxxx. The DOI serves as a persistent link to the online version of the book.

EXAMPLE OF BOOK WITH AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR

Citation	Anonymous. (2024). Secrets of the shadows. Mystery Publishing House.
Structure	Anonymous. (Year). Title. Publisher.

Verify Authorship Status: Before citing a book as being authored by “Anonymous,” make sure that the anonymity of the author is intentional and documented. Sometimes, authors may choose to remain anonymous for various reasons, such as personal safety or political considerations. Ensure that the author’s anonymity is explicitly stated or widely acknowledged within the scholarly community. Check Publisher Information: Double-check the publisher information to ensure accuracy in your citation. Look for the publisher’s name on the book’s title page, copyright page, or in the book’s metadata if accessed online. Accurate publisher information helps readers locate the source and adds credibility to your citation. Consider Alternative Attribution: If the book is attributed to a pseudonymous author rather than simply “Anonymous,” cite the pseudonym as the author’s name. Pseudonymous authors use fictional names that are distinct from their real identities. In such cases, use the pseudonym in place of “Anonymous” in both the reference list entry and in-text citations. Ensure that the pseudonym is formatted correctly and consistently throughout your document.

IN-TEXT CITATION FOR BOOK WITH AN ANONYMOUS AUTHOR

For parenthetical citations, use the author’s name followed by the year of publication:

Example	(Anonymous, 2024)
Structure	(Contributor, Year Published)

For narrative citations, incorporate the author’s name into the text and include the year of publication in parentheses:

Example	Anonymous (2024)
Structure	Contributor (Year Published)