The first three series – Barbara Mertz, Elizabeth Peters, and Barbara Michaels – consist of typescripts, publicity, reviews, artwork, and correspondence relating to Mertz's publications under each corresponding pen-name, arranged chronologically by publication date and/or series. Correspondence consists of four subseries – Literary, Personal, Fanmail and Fandom, and Business – including faxes, letters, and postcards. The Literary subseries mainly consists of correspondence with agents and publishers regarding the publication of Mertz's works. The Personal subseries includes correspondence two and from Mertz's friends and family. The Fanmail and Fandom series includes fanmail (and Mertz's responses), as well as correspondence related to and used in her newsletter, MPM, and copies of the newsletter itself; also included are various fan-related items sent to or collected by Mertz. The Business subseries has some overlap with the Literary subseries, but the correspondence deals more broadly with Mertz's daily expenses, travel, and other non-publishing matters. The Other Writings series collects all of Mertz's published and unpublished works, such as speeches, short stories, and essays, that did not fall within the monograph-length bibliography of the first three series. Publicity and Appearances includes correspondence and travel ephemera related to invitations and requests for Mertz to speak at events or sign books. Also included in this series are typescripts and clippings of interviews and publicity, as well as ephemera from Mertz's appearances and talks. The Financial and Legal series includes royalty statements and publishing contracts as well as Mertz's personal and business finances, such as receipts, travel expense records, and vet bills. Subject Files include clippings, periodicals, travel guides, and notes related to various subjects, some of which Mertz researched as part of her writing process. The Egyptology subseries also includes Mertz's doctorate coursework and notes. Professional Files include correspondence, publications, drafts, handouts, and notes related to Mertz's work in professional organizations. The Writings by Others series consists of typescripts, monographs, and drafts sent to Mertz by friends and fans – including fanfiction of Mertz's own works. The Personal series includes memorabilia and correspondence relating to Mertz's personal life, as well as the lives of her parents; also included are Mertz's many awards. Photographs consist of several photo albums and loose printed photographs, as well as a collection of slides and negatives, some of which still reside in slide carousels. Finally, the Audio-Visual and Born-Digital series includes television shows about Egypt as well as travel footage filmed by Mertz herself; also included are audiobook roughs for Mertz's writings and a handful of publishing-related zip disks and CDs.