diff --git a/src/api/mockAuthorApi.js b/src/api/mockAuthorApi.js
index 44b15247..677cbfe9 100644
--- a/src/api/mockAuthorApi.js
+++ b/src/api/mockAuthorApi.js
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ class AuthorApi {
   }
 
   static saveAuthor(author) {
+	author = Object.assign({}, author); // to avoid manipulating object passed in.
     return new Promise((resolve, reject) => {
       setTimeout(() => {
         // Simulate server-side validation
@@ -59,7 +60,7 @@ class AuthorApi {
           authors.push(author);
         }
 
-        resolve(Object.assign({}, author));
+        resolve(author);
       }, delay);
     });
   }