Author published as anonymous but known

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

The book Go Ask Alice was original published as Anonymous but it is known it was actually written by Beatrice Sparks. Several editions are still attributed to Anonymous such as Go Ask Alice. Should I change these to Sparks even though the jacket says anonymous?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Have any editions been published under the author's real name? If so, I think it's ok to change all the editions to it.

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

I don't think so. I think people just updated the ones they were familiar with. What if I put anonymous as the primary author on all of them and Beatrice Sparks as a second author?

[rivka, Former Moderator]

That could work.

[Ron]

Speaking as a Reference Librarian, I would go with what the book has for the primary author with a note providing the actual author.

[Kelly (Maybedog)]

Ok, thanks. That's basically what I did. I put the author as Anonymous and then as the secondary author in parentheses it says "Actual author." I didn't see another way to put a note in.

But now I'm halfway through and I'm not sure this is the best method, either. Some of them have the author listed as Beatrice Sparks (as "Anonymous") which makes it easier for the books to collect under her name.

Which is better?

[This Is Not The Michael You're Looking For]

If the author is known I think it should be listed as the primary author. Anonymous is a huge mess and mixing in "known" authorships, even when originally published that way, seems to be adding confusion.

I sort of like using 'as "Anonymous"' as the author role, though.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

NT Michael makes a good point.

[Suzi]

I hate to beat a dead horse so if I am tell me. If an "Anonymous" author is identified as the daughter of the subject of the book:

Anonymous
(by her daughter)

could one just use that as "Anonymous, her daughter" to differentiate between other Anonymous authors? Or use another nomenclature. Please advise.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

No, that would still be listed under the general Anonymous.

Also, please start new threads, rather than bumping ones that are years old.