One writer’s trash may be a researcher’s treasure.

Recently, I read another author’s blog about how she sorted through her early rejection letters and tossed them out along with other items gathering dust in her home office. Think about all those old manuscripts taking up shelf space. I don’t know about you, my fellow authors, but we’re talking reams of paper here. For each one of my mystery titles, I have the original manuscript, sometimes a revised draft, a copy edited manuscript, plus page proofs. Consider that there are nine books in my Bad Hair Day series. Then add in a novella and the four romance novels I’d published before switching to mysteries. That’s 14 books times three or so manuscripts each!

Bitten by the cleaning bug, I figured I’m not going to need all those rubber-banded piles of paper ever again. Why not toss them?

Because I found another way to make these items useful. I am donating them to the Browne Popular Culture Library at Bowling Green State University. Here I’ve started a manuscript collection, joining such masters as Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Marcia Muller, and Romance Writers of America who archive their accumulated papers there as well.

It’s better than my husband or kids throwing everything in the trash after I’m gone. It’s better that I made this choice now, so I could put instructions in my Trust for the rest of my materials to be sent there when the time comes. It’s better that I feel great satisfaction that my work will live on, serving a useful purpose. So for any writers out there considering cleaning your office, think twice about filling your trash bags and consider donating your materials to a worthy library.

For more information on Browne Popular Culture Library, visit http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/pcl/page38304.html

Since I'm the one who threw out LOTS of paper, I was so glad you gave me this information, Nancy. I saved all that stuff for years and finally ran out of room, but I do have ARCs and bound manuscripts that need a home. What started this? I need space for my new granddaughter to sleep when she visits. ;)

Yes, Leann, it's your blog that inspired my post. Those bound manuscripts and ARCs and other items would be a worthy donation. I'm saving correspondence and research materials for later, preferring to send the manuscripts on first, along with promo stuff. It's wonderful to have a place that wants all this, not to mention the clean space as you clear it out!

I used to use the back of all my drafts, manuscripts, etc. Since almost everything I get is electronic, I don't have many hard copies of 'finished' work. I keep one of each book. My next book will have hard copy galleys, which should be interesting. I'll definitely have to look into this one.

What a great idea, Nancy! It's a great opportunity for an aspiring writer or Nancy Cohen afficionado can see how your work evolved. Wouldn't you love to see a SEP ms under construction? Thanks for the lead!

Terry, I use the back of my pages, too, and I think in my agreement with the library I stipulated that anything of a personal nature was to be tossed. I don't have the time or inclination to go page by page through each manuscript to see what's on each side.

Kathy, this is a non-circulating library for serious researchers. If one them became interested in my work, I'd be flattered!

Good idea, Nancy I recycle used paper by printing newer drafts (Upside down to avoid confusing my blond brain) on the backside. There's no way I can save all that paper. I've saved copies of all my contracted books in an online archive service instead of saving the manuscripts. I started doing that back '04 when we had so many hurricanes. Two passed over our house. Thankfully, we suffered little damage but what if we had? I might have lost everything!

Cheryl

Cheryl, that's a good idea to store files online. What site do you recommend? I also keep a backup disk in my safety deposit box and files on my flash drive in my handbag. As for all the paper copies, guess I'm more of a pack rat, but I'm learning to get rid of stuff.

I had heard that there was an archive, thought it was for romance, but lost the reference. Glad to get this as I usually mark up my mss. pages extensively. Though I have, too, used those with blank backs as more paper.

I don't save my drafts and ARC except on disc. I always update my flash drive when bad storms are expected and keep it on a lanyard around my neck. LOL

I do a lot of hard copy edits though and like a lot of the others I reuse the backs of ms pages. Then they hit the recycle bin.

The Michigan Technological University archive gets a copy of everything I publish, but with over 1500 manuscripts on file which take up ten full file drawers, I know my university won't want all that stuff, though two thirds of the work has been published. I do have a sgtack of duplicate hard copy manuscripts, but I don't keep early drafts, especially now that it's all elecgtronic and the new "save" wipes out all the records of fitful starts and corrections. I suppose an early, marked up draft by Hemingway wold be important to scholars,but nobody cares about my mistakes.;)

Love this idea, Nancy! Thanks so much for the heads up!

Light,
Nancy Haddock
La Vida Vampire

Robin, it appears many of us authors recycle our paper! Marie-Nicole, I like your tip about wearing a flash drive around your neck. Good advice during a hurricane. Here's another idea: keep a backup disk by your bedside in case you have to exit the house quickly in a fire.
Paranoid lot, aren't we?

Nancy, You're welcome. And Harley, you wrote 1500 manuscripts?! Good heaven, how did you manage so much? You must be a terrifically fast writer. And 2/3 published, wow, I'm impressed. Good for you to be already donating your work.

Great idea, Nancy. Thanks for sharing the tip.

I like this idea. I have the manuscript for my book..I was actually saving for future grand-Theesfelds. I still have some of my original 'when I was six years old' manuscripts of my books I sold to my grandmother. Those were put in a scrapbook. My dad saved the stuff I wrote and I got it one day after my mom passed away. I didn't know they saved all those little writings from my youth. But thanks for the tip!

Hi, Nancy! This is a great idea. This collection should be a fine resource for the writers and historians of the future. As a new member of SWFRW, I wanted to let you know, also, that I have put your latest book on my shelf at Shelfari.com, along with those of other SWFRW members and some ArcheBooks authors, and that I have posted my shelf to my blog at http://tinamurray.blogspot.com. Please check it out when you have time. I hope you approve. Thanks for sharing! Tina Murray