The Kathy Acker papers contain primarily manuscript drafts of her novels, short stories, and other miscellaneous writings, ranging from early works such as THE CHILDLIKE LIFE OF THE BLACK TARANTULA (1975) to her last novel, PUSSY, KING OF THE PIRATES (1996). The Writings Series contains corrected typescripts, photocopies, or original holograph manuscripts of most of her published book-length works. There are also drafts of the play THE BIRTH OF THE POET, the filmscript "Variety," and short stories such as "The Language of the Body," "Jeane Duval," and "Girl Gangs Take Over the World." The Artwork Series contains original art work for EMPIRE OF THE SENSELESS, IN MEMORIAM TO IDENTITY, BLOOD AND GUTS IN HIGH SCHOOL, I DREAMT I BEAME A NYMPHOMANIAC, and PUSSY, KING OF THE PIRATES. In addition, there are numerous black and white photographs of Acker by Robert Mapplethorpe and Marcus Leatherdale. The addition (99-207) (75 items, 0.1 linear ft., dated 1973-1978) contains two lengthy sections from Acker's spiralbound notebook, one recording dreams, fantasies, and events in stream-of-conciousness form, the second contains reflections on various topics and thinkers, including de Sade. There is an original typescript of an introcution for her book, THE THESMOPHORIAZUSAE; and early version of THE CHILDLIKE LIFE OF THE BLACK TARANTULA #6; THE STORY OF MY LIFE, self-published by Acker; letters from other poets and writers, including Andrei Codrescu, Kenneth Rexroth, Jack Hirschman, Fielding Dawson, Ed Dron, Ed Sanders, Laura Chester, Peter Gordon, Rex Pickett, Opal Nations, and Barbara Baracks; and an original color broadside announcing a reading by Acker. The next addition (02-081) (3552 items, 6.5 linear feet; dated [ca. 1979]-1997 and undated) includes correspondence, drafts, and notebooks of works by Acker, writings about Acker, photographs, and audio recordings. The drafts and notebooks include numerous edited and unedited typescripts of Acker's books PUSSY, KING OF THE PIRATES; EURYDICE IN THE UNDERWORLD; and REQUIEM. There are also drafts and research material for the articles "Sugar and Spice," based on an interview with the Spice Girls, and "The Gift of Disease," dealing with her battle with cancer. Also includes 927 electronic documents on two zip disks and three 3.5" floppies; audiocassettes; CDs; LP; black-and-white and color photographs; color negatives; and two color slides. The next addition (02-164) (2 items, .1 linear feet; dated ca. 1972) is a photocopy of Acker's 59-page typescript, "The Destruction of the U.S./The Burning Bombing of America." Includes a 3-page document by Susan Orlofsky describing the typescript's provenance and outlining its contents.
