How Can I Cite Carmilla Kindle In An Academic Paper?

If you’ve got the Kindle edition of 'Carmilla' and need to cite it in a paper, there are a few neat rules that make it both precise and acceptable across styles. First, pull the exact bibliographic info from the Kindle’s front matter: author (Sheridan Le Fanu), title as it appears, any editor or translator, publisher name (often the Kindle publisher or imprint), and the year the Kindle edition was published. For direct quotations, Kindle books often lack stable page numbers, so cite a chapter, section heading, or the Kindle location number if your style allows.

Here’s a quick example in commonly used formats that I use depending on the class: MLA: Le Fanu, Sheridan. 'Carmilla.' Kindle ed., [Publisher], [Year]. APA (7th): Le Fanu, S. (1872/Year). 'Carmilla' [Kindle ed.]. Publisher. Chicago (Notes-Bibliography): Sheridan Le Fanu, 'Carmilla' (Kindle edition; Publisher, Year). When quoting, I’ll add a locator: (Le Fanu, ch. 2) or (Le Fanu, loc. 234), and if the Kindle edition maps to a print edition with page numbers, use those instead. Double-check your instructor’s preference for locators—some professors prefer chapter labels to Kindle locations.

I get a little nerdy about bibliographic precision, so here’s a slightly more granular template approach that’s saved me countless citation headaches when using Kindle texts like 'Carmilla'. Start by recording metadata exactly as shown: author, title, any editor/translator, Kindle edition (if named), publisher/imprint, and Kindle publication year. Next, match that to the style guide rules: MLA wants the medium noted (e.g., Kindle ed.) and doesn’t require the original publication date but you can include it parenthetically for context. APA 7 suggests including the original work’s date if it’s a classic — something like (Le Fanu, 1872/2009) — and then describing the format if the e-book lacks a DOI or URL. Chicago wants the edition noted and the Kindle tag in the bibliography entry.

Examples I actually use in notes or bibliographies:
MLA: Le Fanu, Sheridan. 'Carmilla.' Kindle ed., [Publisher], 2009.
APA: Le Fanu, S. (1872/2009). 'Carmilla' [Kindle edition]. Publisher.
Chicago (Bib): Le Fanu, Sheridan. 1872. 'Carmilla.' Kindle ed. Publisher, 2009.

When pinpointing quotes: prefer chapter or section numbers over Kindle locators if possible; if not, cite the Kindle location (e.g., loc. 452). Also note the edition or collection title if 'Carmilla' appears inside a larger Kindle compilation like 'In a Glass Darkly' — list the anthology title and editor details. That attention to detail keeps citations defensible in peer review and classroom settings.

I like keeping things practical, so here’s a short, usable plan for citing 'Carmilla' on Kindle that worked for my last paper. Step one: open the Kindle book and note the edition info — sometimes the Kindle edition will list a publisher and year, other times it’s just an Amazon imprint. Use whatever the book itself provides. Step two: choose the citation style your instructor wants. For MLA, list the author, title in single quotes, then the Kindle edition and publisher/year. For APA, include the original publication date if relevant (Le Fanu published in 1872) and then the Kindle edition information. If you quote a passage, don’t invent page numbers: use chapter numbers, section headings, or Kindle location (e.g., loc. 128). If the Kindle edition includes real page numbers tied to a print edition, use those. Finally, if the edition has an editor or translator, put them after the title (trans. Name). I always save a screenshot of the title page metadata — it’s saved me from citation panic during revisions.

Okay, quick cheat-sheet: to cite 'Carmilla' from Kindle, copy the book’s metadata (author, exact title, editor/translator if any, Kindle edition + publisher, year) from the title page. For MLA, put: Le Fanu, Sheridan. 'Carmilla.' Kindle ed., Publisher, Year. For APA: Le Fanu, S. (1872/Year). 'Carmilla' [Kindle edition]. Publisher. If you quote, use chapter numbers or section headings; use Kindle locations only if nothing else is available (e.g., loc. 123). If the Kindle shows real page numbers linked to a print edition, use those. And pro tip: always check your instructor’s preference — some want chapter locators, others will accept Kindle locations — and keep a screenshot of the title/metadata for proof.