James Salter’s All That Is (Knopf), his first new novel since 1979, is a reflective work, a reconsideration of many of the themes he has explored in his earlier fiction. Looking back at Salter’s prior novels through his archive at the Harry Ransom Center, one can see the artist at work and better understand the sentiments that guide his craft.
Some notebooks from Salter’s archive can be seen on The Daily Beast.
Learn more about what Salter’s notebooks reveal about his creative process.
Undated children’s verse cards from Sara Coleridge collection. These verses—on such topics as English history, Latin vocabulary, and animals—formed the foundation for Coleridge’s “Pretty Lessons in Verse for Good Children and Lessons in Latin, in Easy Rhyme,” published in 1834.
Read the full article “Sara Coleridge’s Pretty Lessons in Verse: Nineteenth- Century Flash Cards” on the Ransom Center’s blog, Cultural Compass.
Read the full article, “A Life Beyond Crime: The Papers of Nicolas Freeling,” on the Harry Ransom Center’s blog Cultural Compass.
Nicolas Freeling’s working draft fragments, notes and letters with Peter Zimmerman related to the work that came to be known as “Gadget.” 1971–1975.
A drawing by physicist Peter Zimmerman with his and Nicolas Freeling’s notes as part of research for “Gadget,” 1971–1975.
Nicolas Freeling’s 1983 memo with editorial notes relating to “No Part in Your Death” (1984).
A page from one of Nicolas Freeling’s journals, 1973–1975.
Notes and fragments for “Gadget” in a “Rough Bomb Book” journal, 1975.
Notes and fragments for “Gadget” in a “Rough Bomb Book” journal, 1975.
A page with a recipe from one of Nicolas Freeling’s journals. 1979.
Nicolas Freeling’s working draft of “The Back of the North Wind.” 1979.
A page with personal notes and jottings from one of Nicolas Freeling’s journals. 1979.
Read the full article “David Foster Wallace materials related to The Pale King now open for research” on the Harry Ransom Center’s website.
Typescript draft of “Author’s Foreword” in “The Pale King.” © David Foster Wallace Literary Trust. Harry Ransom Center.
Very early handwritten draft of “Author’s Foreword” in “he Pale King.” © David Foster Wallace Literary Trust. Harry Ransom Center.
Handwritten list including characters in “The Pale King,” designated a “Tornado of Characters” in the left margin. © David Foster Wallace Literary Trust. Harry Ransom Center.
Manila folder for “The Pale King” drafts with a handwritten list of names of characters and places and a hand drawn map of Peoria, the setting of the novel. © David Foster Wallace Literary Trust. Harry Ransom Center.
Typescript coversheet draft of “What is Peoria For?,” one of the early titles for “The Pale King.” © David Foster Wallace Literary Trust. Harry Ransom Center.
David Foster Wallace’s notebook, which contains reading notes, clippings, and writings related to “The Pale King.” © David Foster Wallace Literary Trust. Harry Ransom Center.
This letter from Stern’s literary agent, Georges Borchardt, shows how Borchardt served as both an agent of Stern’s interest and a critical force in his creative work. Copyright © Georges Borchardt. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
In this letter, Joyce Carol Oates advises Stern on strategies to leave media and advertising work and begin his professorial career. Stern and Oates began and maintained an amiable, professional relationship, and when he began writing short stories in the 1970s, he sent his work to her for publication in her Ontario Review.
In this letter, Joyce Carol Oates advises Stern on strategies to leave media and advertising work and begin his professorial career. Stern and Oates began and maintained an amiable, professional relationship, and when he began writing short stories in the 1970s, he sent his work to her for publication in her Ontario Review.
These pages from Stern’s journals are typical of his manuscript and typed recordings of and reflections on his daily activities. Stern’s journals often document his interactions with literary figures, such as, in this case, Jean-Paul Sartre, Al Alvarez, and Frank Kermode. Such journal entries are of especial interest because Stern’s later short stories, including those published in “Twice Told Tales” and “Twice Upon a Time,” reinterpret literary history and classic works. Copyright © Estate of Daniel Stern. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Copyright © Estate of Daniel Stern. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
These page proofs from 1989’s “Twice Upon a Time show” how Stern’s short stories were compiled, proofed, and published in book format. The listing of story titles on the table of contents is typical of Stern’s short stories; he reimagines class fictional tales, leaving their original titles, along with the name of their authors, in place. Copyright © Estate of Daniel Stern. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Read the full article “Freedom of the City certificates: Passports for 1776.”
Certificate dated September 3, 1776, admitting Michael Dancer to freedom of the city of London.
Certificate dated December 5, 1764, admitting Josiah Rushton to freedom of the city of London. John B. Dancer collection.
In Memoriam: Barry Unsworth (1930–2012)
British author Barry Unworth, whose archive resides at the Ransom Center, died earlier this week at the age of 81.
The Adventure of the Immortal Detective: Discovering Sherlock Holmes in the Archives
Doyle wrote “The Coming of the Fairies” (1922) in defense of the Cottingley fairy photographs, which he believed to be genuine. Arthur Conan Doyle photography collection.
A book from Doyle’s true crime library that previously belonged to W. S. Gilbert. London’s Newgate Prison was in operation for over 700 years, ending in 1902. Ellery Queen book collection.
Writer and editor Christopher Morley founded the Baker Street Irregulars, a fan society which also counted Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman as honorary members. Christopher Morley papers.
A. A. Milne, best remembered for creating Winnie-the-Pooh, celebrates Holmes and Watson in his nine-page essay “A Room on Baker Street.” A. A. Milne papers.
After the death of his wife in 1906 and his son in 1918, Doyle developed a strong interest in spiritualism, and became a noted writer and speaker on the subject. Arthur Conan Doyle vertical file.
Doyle amassed a large collection of spirit photography. This image features Harry Houdini, whose friendship with Doyle soured when the magician denied he had the supernatural powers Doyle attributed to him. Arthur Conan Doyle photography collection.
Doyle’s Ouija board. Arthur Conan Doyle personal effects collection. Photo by Pete Smith.
A pair of Doyle’s socks. Arthur Conan Doyle personal effects collection. Photo by Pete Smith.
The English master detective faces off against the French master thief in Maurice Leblanc’s “Arsène Lupin versus Herlock Sholmes.” Other authors to “borrow” Holmes include J. M. Barrie and Mark Twain. Ellery Queen book collection.
The international appeal of Sherlock Holmes became clear early. This play, the second in a series, premiered in Barcelona in 1909. Ellery Queen book collection.
Even Doyle himself was unable to kill off his popular detective: pressure from fans led him to resurrect Holmes a decade after his apparent death at Reichenbach Falls, as this sticker from the Baker Street Irregulars attests. Arthur Conan Doyle vertical file.
The Adventure of the Immortal Detective: Discovering Sherlock Holmes in the Archives
It’s unknown why Doyle filled out this autobiographical questionnaire in 1893, but the answers give a sense of his humorous side. Arthur Conan Doyle papers.
Sherlock Holmes’s inauspicious first appearance was in the 1887 Beeton’s Christmas Annual. The 27-year-old Doyle wrote the novel in three weeks and received only £25 for the full rights. Ellery Queen book collection.
“A Scandal in Bohemia,” Holmes’s first appearance in short story form, also represents one of the rare instances in which the detective is outwitted. Arthur Conan Doyle papers.
This manuscript page from “The Hound of the Baskervilles” shows Holmes and Watson in conversation after the doctor discovers his friend has been hiding out on Dartmoor. Arthur Conan Doyle papers.
In this letter to Bram Stoker, Doyle expresses his admiration for the recently published “Dracula.” Arthur Conan Doyle papers.
This illustration for “The Adventure of the Norwood Builder” is one of 356 drawings Sidney Paget created for the original publication of the Sherlock Holmes tales in “The Strand Magazine.” Arthur Conan Doyle art collection.
Writer and editor Christopher Morley founded the Baker Street Irregulars, a fan society which also counted Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Harry Truman as honorary members. Christopher Morley papers.
A. A. Milne, best remembered for creating Winnie-the-Pooh, celebrates Holmes and Watson in his nine-page essay “A Room on Baker Street.” A. A. Milne papers.
After the death of his wife in 1906 and his son in 1918, Doyle developed a strong interest in spiritualism, and became a noted writer and speaker on the subject. Arthur Conan Doyle vertical file.
Doyle amassed a large collection of spirit photography. This image features Harry Houdini, whose friendship with Doyle soured when the magician denied he had the supernatural powers Doyle attributed to him. Arthur Conan Doyle photography collection.
Christine Brooke-Rose, experimental fiction writer
Manuscript for Christine Brooke-Rose’s ‘Xorandor.’ ©Carcanet Press.
