Literature

Subseries Description From the Sub-Series: The largest subseries in Monographs is material relating to the writing and publication of Caramelo. Research, notes, chapter drafts, and book drafts document Cisneros’ writing process. Research files and notes provide evidence of the depth of research that went into the book, loosely based on her own family history. Included among the topics are immigration, Mexico, San Antonio, music, and war. Notes includes story development “road maps,” outlines, and files that Cisneros created on topics...

Subseries Description From the Series: Short Stories span 1982-2012 and are arranged alphabetically. A number of stories were originally housed in a folder title “Antojitos collection,” dating from 1982-1987. These stories were kept together in box 45, folders 1-15. The rest of the short stories follow, and are also arranged alphabetically. Many include multiple drafts, with stories such as “Machu Pichu,” “Martita te Requerdo,” and “The Snow Queen,” a poem inspired by former San Antonio mayor, Henry Cisneros, comprising several...

Subseries Description From the Series: Short Stories span 1982-2012 and are arranged alphabetically. A number of stories were originally housed in a folder title “Antojitos collection,” dating from 1982-1987. These stories were kept together in box 45, folders 1-15. The rest of the short stories follow, and are also arranged alphabetically. Many include multiple drafts, with stories such as “Machu Pichu,” “Martita te Requerdo,” and “The Snow Queen,” a poem inspired by former San Antonio mayor, Henry Cisneros, comprising several...

Series Description From the Series: The extensive correspondence files span 1980-2013 and are arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Every correspondent is included in the container list, and when known, organizational affiliations are listed in parenthesis. Individuals with a significant quantity of letters include: Jeffrey Abrahams; Norma Alarcón; Dorothy Allison; Julia Alvarez; Beatrix Badikian; Gertrude Baker; Ruth Behar; Ronnie Burke; Norma Cantu; Ana Castillo; Denise Chávez; Carlos Cumpián; Ted Dvoracek; Gayle...

Subseries Description From the Sub-Series:

Portraits are formal, posed photographs of Cisneros, and are arranged chronologically. Photographers include her brother, Henry (Kiki) Cisneros, Joan Frederick, Alexandro Galindo, Ruben Guzman, Armando Rascón, Al Rendon, and Diana Solís, among others. Also included are a number of portraits of Cisneros with others, notably with her mother in 1998, and Gertrude Baker, Ruben Guzman, Denise Chavez, Jasna Karaula, and Emma Tenayuca.

Series Description From the Series:

This series includes extensive research files and many annotated typescripts of Crook’s first novel. The research files include clippings, handwritten notes, photographs, and correspondence with research assistant Eva B. Denning, of Gallatin, TN, 1984-90. The typescripts have been arranged in alphabetical order by working titles.

Series Description From the Series: Reader Correspondence, 1990-2013, is arranged chronologically. Each year is separated into letters from individuals and letters from classes. The individual letters are typical fan letters and document the effect her writing has had on her readers. The class letters are often packets sent by teachers containing letters from students who have read her works in class, and sometimes thank-you letters from students whose class Cisneros visited. When known, the school name is included in the...

Sub-Series Description From the Sub-Series: This subseries very clearly shows Vliet’s process of writing from preliminary research through final product. It includes extensive background research files including files by subject containing clippings from newspapers and magazines, library call slips, color and black and white photographs, and handwritten notes. Following these research files are drafts of chapters handwritten in pencil, annotated typescripts, clean typescripts, and (minimal) correspondence. Perhaps most meticulously...

Subseries Description From the Sub-Series:

Family Photographs span 1894-2013 and are divided into paternal and maternal family members, photographs of Cisneros’ mother and father, various family members, and pets. There are many other family photographs in the snapshots sub-series, particularly the early years beginning in box 171.

Series Description From the Series: The extensive correspondence files span 1980-2013 and are arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Every correspondent is included in the container list, and when known, organizational affiliations are listed in parenthesis. Individuals with a significant quantity of letters include: Jeffrey Abrahams; Norma Alarcón; Dorothy Allison; Julia Alvarez; Beatrix Badikian; Gertrude Baker; Ruth Behar; Ronnie Burke; Norma Cantu; Ana Castillo; Denise Chávez; Carlos Cumpián; Ted Dvoracek; Gayle...

Series Description From the Series: The extensive correspondence files span 1980-2013 and are arranged alphabetically by correspondent. Every correspondent is included in the container list, and when known, organizational affiliations are listed in parenthesis. Individuals with a significant quantity of letters include: Jeffrey Abrahams; Norma Alarcón; Dorothy Allison; Julia Alvarez; Beatrix Badikian; Gertrude Baker; Ruth Behar; Ronnie Burke; Norma Cantu; Ana Castillo; Denise Chávez; Carlos Cumpián; Ted Dvoracek; Gayle...

Subseries Description From the Sub-Series: Early poems span 1971-1986 and are arranged alphabetically. Many were originally housed in two black binders. The first binder contents are in folders 1-51 and were from Cisneros’ time at The University of Iowa. The second binder is in folder 53 and contains early poems, many later published in My Wicked Wicked Ways. Additional early poems not originally housed in one of the two binders are listed alphabetically and include high school poems. Also included are titles with numerous...

Scope and Contents

(35 photographs)

Subseries Description From the Sub-Series:

Later Poems span 1985-2014 and did not come in any original order. They are arranged alphabetically. Most poems are single drafts, but or insight into Cisneros’ revision process, there are eight progressive drafts of the 1995 poem “Morning After Tango.”

Correspondents McAllister, Edith (Center for Medical Humanities and Ethics), 2006; McBeth, Mary, undated; McBurney, John, 2010; McCloskey, Mary Lou (TESOL), 1992-1993; McCollum, Nancy (Pikes Peak Community College), 2002; McCormick, Donna Beth (Southwest Educational Development), 1987; McCracken, Mary Lou (TESOL), 1993; McCracken, Richard (Incarnate Word), 1995; McDonald, Erroll (Random House), 1991; McFarland, Pancho, 1992; McFarland, Ron (University of Idaho), 1993; McGee, Micki...

Series Description From the Series: Reader Correspondence, 1990-2013, is arranged chronologically. Each year is separated into letters from individuals and letters from classes. The individual letters are typical fan letters and document the effect her writing has had on her readers. The class letters are often packets sent by teachers containing letters from students who have read her works in class, and sometimes thank-you letters from students whose class Cisneros visited. When known, the school name is included in the...