Writers Collections
The AHC collects the papers of Western fiction and poetry writers, and has a particular emphasis on Wyoming writers. Our collections also contain significant papers of modern science fiction authors.
Some of our prominent Writers holdings are detailed below.
Additional holdings can be located by searching our online inventories
(select University of Wyoming as the institution), or by searching our online catalog.
Noteworthy Collections
Owen Wister Papers
This collection includes journals, manuscripts, photographs, articles, publications, and correspondence. These materials document the life and literary career of Owen Wister. The journals, manuscripts, and photographs in this collection deal primarily with his interest in the American West and the literary works that he developed from these travels.
Jack Schaefer Papers
Jack Schaefer was a noted 20th century journalist and writer of western novels and short stories. He is best known for his novel, Shane, which was published in 1949 and later made into a movie. His papers contain correspondence, drafts, manuscripts, publications in book and magazine format, newsclippings, photographs, and miscellaneous memorabilia.
Forrest J Ackerman Collection
Ackerman was a collector, writer, editor, literary agent, actor, and producer. He published the first science fiction fan magazine (fanzine) in 1932. From 1958 to 1982 he edited "Famous Monsters of Filmland" fanzine. In 1947 Ackerman created a science fiction literary agency. Ackerman was well known for amassing a large collection of science fiction, fantasy and horror memorabilia including books, magazines, movie props, and posters.
Philip Jose Farmer Papers
Philip José Farmer was an American author best known for his groundbreaking use of sexual themes in science fiction. He won a Hugo Awards for his novella, The Lovers, and later won Hugo Awards for his novella, Riders of the Purple Wage, and To Your Scattered Bodies Go, the first book in his Riverworld Series. The collection contains published works, many manuscripts, story notes, character sketches, and correspondence.
Mary O'Hara Papers
Mary O'Hara Alsop, a writer and composer originally from New York, came to Wyoming in 1930 and along with her husband bought the Remount Ranch near Laramie. While living on the ranch, O'Hara wrote her popular Western novel "My Friend Flicka," the first of a trilogy which was followed by "Thunderhead" and "Green Grass of Wyoming," all of which were made into motion pictures. The collection contains manuscripts, galley proofs and reviews of several of O'Hara's written works.
