Cindy Bonner Papers

Collection

Identifier: SWWC-053

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Cindy Bonner papers document the writing and editing process of her novels and short stories. The collection includes research notes, annotated drafts, proofs, and correspondence, dating from 1983-1999. The collection is arranged in three series: Works, Correspondence, and Artifacts.

Series I: Works (1986-1999) documents the writing and editing process of Bonner’s four published novels, Lily, Looking After Lily, The Passion of Dellie O’Barr, and Right from Wrong. This series also includes the unpublished novel “Flossie/War Dreams” and seven short stories. Formats include research notes, annotated drafts, proofs, and correspondence.

Series 2: Correspondence (1983-1993) relates to Bonner’s writing career and includes letters of acceptance and rejection, and dialogue with literary agents. And Series 3: Artifacts (undated) includes one toy pencil that reads, “I’m a Big Time Writer.” The toy was given to Bonner by her son and remained on her desk for five years.

Dates

1983-1999

Creator

Bonner, Cindy, 1953- (Person)

Conditions Governing Use

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Materials from the Wittliff Collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user assumes responsibility for determining copyright status, obtaining permission to publish, and abiding by U.S. copyright laws. https://www.thewittliffcollections.txstate.edu/research/visit/policies/publication.html

Biographical Notes

Cindy Bonner was born June 14, 1953, in Corpus Christi, Texas. She attended University of Southern Mississippi (1971-73), and San Antonio College (1979). She won Honorable Mention, Roberts Awards, 1989, and third place for a short story, Byliners Contest, 1990. Her first novel, Lily (1992), was a finalist for the Western Writers of America’s Pipe Bearer’s Award. Her novels have been listed as “Best Books” by the American Library Association and have been translated into Spanish and German. Her most recent novel, Right from Wrong, won the Pen Texas Award in 1997.

In addition to raising two children, Ms. Bonner has worked in various professions, including as a yoga teacher, computer operator, real estate manager of a blues/rock band, and writer. She stated, “In 1982, with the encouragement of my husband, I bought a spiral notebook and began to teach myself to write… the hard way, through trial and error and a tidal wave of rejection letters. It is my goal to write fiction that someone, somewhere, will still be reading in one hundred years from now,” (Contemporary Authors, 1999). Ms. Bonner currently lives and writes full-time in Yorktown, Texas.

Extent

12 boxes

6 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

The descriptive data created for this finding aid is licensed under the CC0 Creative Commons license and is free for use without restriction.

Additional Description

Abstract

The Cindy Bonner papers document the writing and editing process of her novels and short stories, including research notes, annotated drafts, proofs, and correspondence, dating from 1983-1999.