So You Inherited a Book With More Editors Than a Hollywood Premiere? How to Chicago-fy That Citation (Without Crying)
Let's face it, folks, sometimes you come across a book that makes you wonder if it was written by a committee. Editors swarm the title page like paparazzi at a Kardashian bake sale. Don't worry, though! Just because your citation feels like it needs its own red carpet, doesn't mean you have to drown in the murky depths of Chicago style. Fear not, brave researcher, for I am here to be your guide – your citation sensei – through the wild world of referencing a book with multiple editors.
First Things First: The Fun Part (Identifying the Editors)
Grab your magnifying glass (or, you know, just your regular glasses) and take a good look at that title page. Those fancy folks listed after "Edited by" are your golden ticket. Bold or underline their names – they're the stars of this particular bibliography show.
Now, here's the fun part (well, maybe not fun, but definitely important):
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Two or Three Editors? Easy peasy lemon squeezy! Just list their names in order, separated by commas, then add "eds." (that's editor in the plural, for those who haven't had their morning coffee). Example: William Shakespeare and Jane Austen, eds., The Complete Guide to Dramatic Irony. Dover Publications, 2023.
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Four to Ten Editors? Things get a tad trickier, but fear not! List all the editors' names in the bibliography, just like the two or three editor case. But in your notes, you only need to list the first editor's name followed by "et al." (which is Latin for "and others," because apparently scholars gotta be fancy). Example: Jeri A. Sechzer et al., eds., Women and Mental Health (Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1996), 243. (Note) Sechzer et al., Women and Mental Health, 243.
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Eleven or More Editors? Whoa, that's a party! Chicago says to just use the first seven editors' names, followed by our good friend "et al." Both the bibliography and your notes will follow this format. Example: Many McEditorface et al., The History of Leftover Pizza (New York: Boring Academic Press, 2024).
The End is Nigh (or Rather, Your Citation is Done!)
There you have it, my bibliophile friends! With a little detective work and these handy tips, you can conquer any book with an editor entourage. Now, go forth and cite with confidence! Just remember, if all else fails, a little Chicago-style charm (and maybe a bribe of pizza) can go a long way.
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