Correspondence, 1955-2008

Series II is comprised of correspondences to and from Compton and book reviewers, publishers, authors, and poets. Within this series are six subject files including: John Graves, William Humphrey, Cormac McCarthy, James Michener, William Morris, and Bryan Woolley. Of particular interest in this series are correspondences that show authors prior to their renowned success. Many of the authors were book reviewers early in their careers. Some of these authors include: Rick Bass, Gene Fowler, William Goyen, A.C. Greene, Steve Harrigan, Shelby Hearon, Elmer Kelton, Beverly Lowry, Larry McMurtry, Paul S. Malone, Jay Milner, Jan Reid, Clay Reynolds, Joyce Roach, C.W. Smith, W.K. Stratton, R.G. Vliet, Donley Watt, and Ed Weems. Compton also received correspondences from the following Texas writers: Judy Alter, Neal Barrett Jr., Sandra Brown, Mark Busby, and Celia Morris. In addition, this series illustrates the close-knit community between authors, publishers, and editors, with many of the letters referring to fellow authors and so forth.