Collection ID: LMC 2852
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Collection context

Summary

Creator:
Williams, Diane
Abstract:
The Williams, Diane mss., ca. 1986-2008, include the correspondence, papers, and drafts of American short story writer, Diane Williams.
Extent:
29 Boxes
Language:
Materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

Williams, Diane mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

Background

Biographical / Historical:

Born in 1946, Williams attended the University of Pennsylvania for her undergraduate degree. She worked as an editor at companies such as J.G. Ferguson (Doubleday, New York City, New York) and Scott Foresman. Williams frequently took writing classes with well-known authors such as Phillip Roth and Gordon Lish, the friendship and professional relationship with the latter established by said courses. Diane Williams is best known for her short story literature and her work on literary annuals. She is the co-founding editor of NOON, the independent literary annual. Williams was the publisher and co-edited Story Quarterly, the independent literary quarterly, from 1985 to 1997. In addition to publishing various short stories, she has also published ten books, some of which include: This Is About the Body, the Mind, the Soul, the World, Time and Fate (1990); The Stupefaction (1996); and Vicky Swanky Is a Beauty (2012). Williams has taught at Bard College, Syracuse University, and at The Center for Fiction in New York City.

Scope and Content:

Also included are proofs and galleys of books and journals, correspondence with Gordon Lish and other writers, Williams' sketchbooks, and copies of journals that include pieces by Williams.

Education has two sub-series: Gordon Lish Notebooks and Teaching; most notebooks are dated and have bound and loose-leaf materials. The Teaching sub-series materials document the creative writing classes Williams taught at Bard College, Columbia University, and Syracuse University. Writings and Publications are divided into eight sub-series: Books, Journals, Interviews, Magazines, NOON, Publication History, Story Quarterly, and Writings. The Books, NOON, and Story Quarterly sub-series all include proofs, galleys, cover art, and mock ups. Some oversize materials are available. The Journals sub-series includes copies of journals with pieces by Williams. The Publication sub-series includes author contracts and a metal card file with approximately 700 5" x 8" index cards itemizing the publication history of nearly all Williams' stories.

Acquisition information:
Acquired: 1991
Processing information:

Processed by Amanda Ferrara.

Completed in 2014

Arrangement:

The collection is organized into the following series: I. Audio-Visual Materials; II. Correspondence; III. Education; IV. Writings and Publications; V. Miscellaneous. The Correspondence series includes letters, emails, notes, and cards to and from Diane Williams, on the subject of books and journals, to individual subjects, and on personal matters. Audio-Visual Materials has cassette tapes of interviews of Williams'; CDs of Williams' work relating to NOON (2003), her email, and a Chicago television interview with Warner Saunders; a DVD of a 1998 reading and Q&A by Williams' at Syracuse University.

Physical location:
ALF (Auxiliary Library Facility)

Indexed Terms

Names:
Williams, Diane, 1946-
Lish, Gordon

Access

RESTRICTIONS:

This collection is open for research.

Many collections are housed offsite; retrieval requires advance notice. Please make an appointment a minimum of one week in advance of your visit.

TERMS OF ACCESS:

Photography and digitization may be restricted for some collections. Copyright restrictions may apply. Before publishing, researchers are responsible for securing permission from all applicable rights holders, then filling out the Permission to Publish form.

PREFERRED CITATION:

Williams, Diane mss., Lilly Library, Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
1200 East Seventh Street
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-5500, USA
CAMPUS:
Indiana University Bloomington
CONTACT:
(812) 855-2452
liblilly@indiana.edu