diff --git a/bookwyrm/models/book.py b/bookwyrm/models/book.py
index d0c3c7fd3..9e05c03af 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/models/book.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/models/book.py
@@ -201,14 +201,13 @@ class Book(BookDataModel):
     @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/tests/models/test_book_model.py b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_book_model.py
index 590b7b873..8122e9505 100644
--- a/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_book_model.py
+++ b/bookwyrm/tests/models/test_book_model.py
@@ -92,7 +92,23 @@ class Book(TestCase):
         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"""