These files document Toni Morrison's editorial work in Random House's adult trade department from approximately 1971 until 1983. They include author and agent correspondence, publishing contracts, book reviews clipped from newspapers and magazines, and records of book production and publicity. Production files frequently include author photographs, book jacket samples, and interoffice correspondence regarding deadlines, copy editing, and permissions and other legal matters. Publicity files include launch party and book tour arrangements, advertising arrangements, and efforts to secure "quotes" or "blurbs" from other well-known authors praising the work to be published. (Morrison frequently requested blurbs from Maya Angelou, James Baldwin, and Alice Walker.) Acknowledgments of manuscript receipt, rejection letters, and responses to prospective authors' inquiries are also present. Expense reports document Morrison's travel on behalf of Random House, usually to meet with contracted or prospective authors. Random House also seems to have supported a certain amount of travel for Morrison's own speaking engagements at universities or literary events.