Early Work, 1959-1980, undated

The largest series by far is Works. Subseries include Diaries, Notebooks, Appointment Books, Artwork, Early Work, Music, Poems, Monographs-Poetry, Monographs-Edited Poetry, Monographs-Prose, Editor Correspondence, Short Stories, Essays, Publications, Artbooks, Broadsides, and Talks.

Diaries and Notebooks are arranged chronologically and include diary entries starting at age eight, and ideas and drafts for poems and longer writings. Individual works are noted where possible. Artwork and Early Work document a small amount of grade school, high school, and college creative work. Music contains many songs arranged alphabetically by title; some songs include chords, notes, and corrections, and there is some overlap in titles with Poems.

Poems make up the bulk of this series, with 7 ½ boxes of poems, including unpublished works and early writings from Nye’s travels in Central and South America in the 1970s. Poems are arranged alphabetically by title, and vary from single drafts of unmarked poems, to multiple drafts with annotations and corrections. There is overlap in titles with Music, Monographs, and Publications.

Monographs-Poetry, Monographs-Edited Poetry, and Monographs-Prose contain materials related to published books for children and adults, arranged by publication date. Contents vary widely by title from one letter or review, to multiple drafts and correspondence.

Editor Correspondence contains letters and faxes between Nye and longtime editor Virginia Duncan and documents their relationship as well as the creation and production of various monographs. This correspondence is placed within the Works series because it often contains full drafts or items that relate to more than one work. As there is overlap with Monographs, researchers are encouraged to review both subseries when investigating a particular work. Some correspondence between Duncan and others, in reference to Nye’s works, is also included.

Stories, Essays, Publications, Art Books, Broadsides, and Talks complete the Works Series. Short Stories and Essays are arranged alphabetically by title. Materials vary from single draft to multiple drafts with annotations and comments. Publications, Art Books, and Broadsides are arranged chronologically and include poems published in journals, and special/limited run publications. Talks are often are not labeled or dated, and they are generally notes for speeches.