diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/book.py b/bookwyrm/models/book.py
index d0c3c7fd34..9e05c03af5 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/book.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/book.py
@@ -201,14 +201,13 @@ def edition_info(self):
     @property
     def alt_text(self):
         """image alt test"""
-        text = self.title
-        if self.edition_info:
-            text += f" ({self.edition_info})"
-        return text
+        author = f"{name}: " if (name := self.author_text) else ""
+        edition = f" ({info})" if (info := self.edition_info) else ""
+        return f"{author}{self.title}{edition}"
 
     def save(self, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> None:
         """can't be abstract for query reasons, but you shouldn't USE it"""
-        if not isinstance(self, Edition) and not isinstance(self, Work):
+        if not isinstance(self, (Edition, Work)):
             raise ValueError("Books should be added as Editions or Works")
 
         return super().save(*args, **kwargs)
diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/status.py b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
index 5d61094684..11646431b3 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/status.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/status.py
@@ -366,7 +366,8 @@ def pure_content(self):
         quote = re.sub(r"^<p>", '<p>"', self.quote)
         quote = re.sub(r"</p>$", '"</p>', quote)
         title, href = self.book.title, self.book.remote_id
-        citation = f'— <a href="{href}"><i>{title}</i></a>'
+        author = f"{name}: " if (name := self.book.author_text) else ""
+        citation = f'— {author}<a href="{href}"><i>{title}</i></a>'
         if position := self._format_position():
             citation += f", {position}"
         return f"{quote} <p>{citation}</p>{self.content}"
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_book_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_book_model.py
index 590b7b8738..8122e95051 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_book_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_book_model.py
@@ -92,7 +92,23 @@ def test_get_edition_info(self):
         book.published_date = timezone.make_aware(parse("2020"))
         book.save()
         self.assertEqual(book.edition_info, "worm, Glorbish language, 2020")
-        self.assertEqual(book.alt_text, "Test Edition (worm, Glorbish language, 2020)")
+
+    def test_alt_text(self):
+        """text slug used for cover images"""
+        book = models.Edition.objects.create(title="Test Edition")
+        author = models.Author.objects.create(name="Author Name")
+
+        self.assertEqual(book.alt_text, "Test Edition")
+
+        book.authors.set([author])
+        book.save()
+
+        self.assertEqual(book.alt_text, "Author Name: Test Edition")
+
+        book.physical_format = "worm"
+        book.published_date = timezone.make_aware(parse("2022"))
+
+        self.assertEqual(book.alt_text, "Author Name: Test Edition (worm, 2022)")
 
     def test_get_rank(self):
         """sets the data quality index for the book"""
diff --git a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
index 760849f28d..d1f07b44e5 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_status_model.py
@@ -314,6 +314,29 @@ def test_quotation_to_pure_activity(self, *_):
         )
         self.assertEqual(activity["attachment"][0]["name"], "Test Edition")
 
+    def test_quotation_with_author_to_pure_activity(self, *_):
+        """serialization of quotation of a book with author and edition info"""
+        self.book.authors.set([models.Author.objects.create(name="Author Name")])
+        self.book.physical_format = "worm"
+        self.book.save()
+        status = models.Quotation.objects.create(
+            quote="quote",
+            content="",
+            user=self.local_user,
+            book=self.book,
+        )
+        activity = status.to_activity(pure=True)
+        self.assertEqual(
+            activity["content"],
+            (
+                f'quote <p>— Author Name: <a href="{self.book.remote_id}">'
+                "<i>Test Edition</i></a></p>"
+            ),
+        )
+        self.assertEqual(
+            activity["attachment"][0]["name"], "Author Name: Test Edition (worm)"
+        )
+
     def test_quotation_page_serialization(self, *_):
         """serialization of quotation page position"""
         tests = [