How to Cite Books with Multiple Authors

Basic Format

Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of book. Publisher.

Example:

Smith, J. D., Johnson, M. R., & Wilson, K. L. (2023). Collaborative research methods. Academic Press.

Author Number Guidelines

Two Authors

Smith, J. D., & Johnson, M. R. (2023). Title of book. Publisher.

Three to Twenty Authors

List all authors, using commas and an ampersand before the final author

Smith, J. D., Johnson, M. R., & Wilson, K. L. (2023). Title of book. Publisher.

More Than Twenty Authors

List the first 19 authors, insert an ellipsis (...), and add the final author's name

Smith, J. D., Johnson, M. R., Wilson, K. L., Brown, A. B., Davis, C. D., Miller, E. F., ... Thompson, Z. Y. (2023). Title of book. Publisher.

In-Text Citation Format

First Citation

Two Authors:

Smith and Johnson (2023) argue...
...(Smith & Johnson, 2023)

Three or More Authors:

Smith et al. (2023) suggest...
...(Smith et al., 2023)

Page Numbers

(Smith et al., 2023, p. 45)

Common Issues

Order of Authors

  • List authors in the order they appear on the source
  • Do not alphabetize unless they appear that way on the source
  • Use the same order consistently throughout your paper

Corporate Authors

When organizations are listed as authors alongside individuals

Smith, J. D., Johnson, M. R., & National Research Council. (2023). Title of book. Publisher.