He heard he was in the running for a New Zealand Football Media Association award barely days before it was presented.
''The whole thing was a total surprise,'' Anderson said.
''I didn't even know the book was in it until a few days beforehand. I'm not even sure how it got there.
''I got an email saying if I was in Auckland, I could go, but it was too late to organise something.
''I saw the shortlist and thought it was nice to be in there. I left it at that and didn't expect to go any further.
''I knew I had a good book. But obviously it was better than I thought,'' he said.
Anderson's Soccer by the Silverstream: 100 Years of Soccer on the Taieri was named publication of the year.
He is not sure if a trophy - or a nice cheque - will be his reward, but expects to hear from the organisers at some stage.
The book, produced to coincide with the Mosgiel club's centenary, was an update of a book Anderson produced for the 75th jubilee 25 years ago.
''It was always my intention to finish it for the centenary.
''I haven't been involved with the club the last 25 years, so had to do a lot of research for that period. But that was a lot easier than the original book, because the club's records were patchy, to say the least. A lot of it was gleaned from newspaper reports and various things.''
Anderson was involved with Mosgiel football for more than 20 years, as a player, a coach, a manager, a committee member and a publicity officer.
He now lives in Dunedin but has not forgotten his roots.
''My loyalty is still to the Mosgiel club. I still have lots of friends out there and keep in touch with what's happening.''
New Zealand Football Media Association judge Glen Price said Soccer by the Silverstream was a ''concise and compact'' history of the Mosgiel club.
Readers will enjoy stories from the beginnings of the club through to the modern game in the area. From senior and women's teams to the juniors, all aspects of the flow of the club are covered.
''Depth is provided, with club statistics ensuring the book will continue to be used as a reference point in the future. You don't have to be a member of the club to enjoy this book.''
