The collection is composed of 21 boxes of manuscripts, galley proofs, notes, clippings, correspondence, artwork, financial and legal papers, screenplays, photographs and artifacts, spanning from 1971 to 2000, that document Stephen Harrigan's writing career.

Typescripts, correspondence, clippings, photographs, sound recordings, printed material, handwritten notes, ephemera, and artifacts, 1929 to 1998 (bulk 1975-1995), created and maintained by Joe Nick Patoski, document much of his writing career, as well as some aspects of his business and personal life.