Hettie Jones papers, 1895-2009, bulk 1958-2009

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Series II: Writings, 1956-2009

Contained in this series are research materials, notes, drafts, and extra-textual material for all of Jones' major writings. The material has been grouped into five subseries, reflecting the scope of Jones' career as a writer. The series primarily contains drafts, in various stages, of works in the various genres in which Jones wrote—this includes non-fiction memoir, particularly How I Became Hettie Jones, reviews, fiction, poetry, and children's and young adult literature. Many reviews of Jones' writings, and a number of academic studies of Jones, her work, and her role in the Beat Generation can also be found here. Additionally, there is material pertaining to Jones' many speeches, lectures, literary readings—including drafts and event listings and flyers—and grant and fellowship proposals. Issues of Yugen, the little magazine Jones edited with her former husband LeRoi Jones/Amiri Baraka, have been included and provide an example of Jones' editorial work. When possible, the original order and folder titles have been preserved.


Subseries II.1: How I Became Hettie Jones , 1983-2007

The bulk of this subseries is made up of approximately ten complete typescript drafts and galleys, some with handwritten corrections. Also included are research materials, original book proposals, copyright and royalty information, and correspondence relating to the editing and publishing of the book. Finally, this subseries holds reviews and publicity relevant to its post-publication history and reception. The original order and folder titles have been preserved.



Box 13 Folder 25 to 28 Notes, 1980s (4 Folders), 1980s



Box 14 Folder 1 Articles/Other Materials, 1980s


Box 14 Folder 2 Book Proposal, 1980s


Correspondence,1983-2001


Box 14 Folder 3 German Edition, 1993-1997


Box 14 Folder 4 Editorial, 1983-1991


Box 14 Folder 5 Book Report Effort, 1994-1996


Box 14 Folder 6 Virago Press--UK Edition, 1990


Box 14 Folder 7 to 8 Fan Mail, 1990-2001 (2 Folders), 1990-2001


Box 14 Folder 9 Judith Leonard Productions, 1990-1995


Box 14 Folder 10 Itkoff, Jones, Hoffman, 1995-2000


Box 14 Folder 11 to 12 Hoffman, Berenice, 1997 (2 Folders), 1997


Box 14 Folder 13 Fuzzy Bunny, 1998-2001


Box 14 Folder 14 Television Rights, 1994


Box 14 Folder 15 Permissions,1986-1989


Publicity, 1988-1990



Box 15 Folder 1 Advance Comments, 1988-1989


Box 15 Folder 2 General, 1990


Box 15 Folder 3 Covers, 1990


Box 15 Folder 4 Party, 1990


Box 15 Folder 5 to 8 Reviews, 1990-2005 (4 Folders), 1990-2005



Box 56 Folder 1 Reviews, 1958-1991


Royalties, 1990-2007



Box 15 Folder 9 Grove Edition, 1996-2007


Box 15 Folder 10 Dutton & Viking and Penguin Editions, 1990-1994


Box 15 Folder 12 Floppy Disks, undated


Drafts, 1986-1991


Box 15 Folder 13 Early, 1986 (1 of 2), 1986



Box 16 Folder 1 Early, 1986 (2 of 2), 1986


Box 16 Folder 2 to 3 Draft 1, undated (2 Folders), undated


Box 16 Folder 4 to 5 Draft 2, undated (2 Folders), undated


Box 16 Folder 6 Draft 3, undated (1 of 2), undated



Box 17 Folder 1 Draft 3, undated (2 of 2), undated


Box 17 Folder 2 to 3 Draft 4--Corrections, 1989 (2 Folders), 1989


Box 17 Folder 4 to 6 Galleys, 1990 (3 Folders), 1990



Box 18 Folder 1 to 4 Galleys, 1990 (4 of 4), 1990


Box 18 Folder 5 Sample Pages, circa., 1990


Box 18 Folder 6 to 8 Returned Drafts, 1991 (3 Folders), 1991


Subseries II.2: Poetry, 1950s-2008

This subseries contains poetry from the breadth of Jones' writing career. The bulk of this subseries comprises those poems which have been published as poetry collections, and includes complete typescript drafts of Jones' books:All Told, Drive, Doing 70, For Four Hetties,andHaving Been Her.Also here are correspondence, publicity, reviews and other articles pertaining to the individual books. Jones' uncollected poems, listed here, following Jones' alphabetical arrangement and labeling, as "Poetry A-Z," running from the 1950s to the 2000s, also form a major component of this subseries. In addition a small amount of occasional poems, poetry notes, and poetry written for grant submissions is here. This subseries has been arranged according to Jones' original order.


Poems in Collections, 1992-2006


Box 18 Folder 9 Witness to Dissent, 1992


Box 18 Folder 10 "Pride will Fear Wit", 1993


Box 18 Folder 11 Women of the Bowery, 2006


Box 18 Folder 12 Wildflowers, 2006


Box 18 Folder 13 Vent Your Inspiration, 2006


Box 18 Folder 14 "Home", 1991


Box 18 Folder 16 Arts for Peace Festival, 2000


All Told , 2000-2004


Box 18 Folder 17 Contracts and Permissions, 2002-2003


Box 18 Folder 18 Correspondence, 2000-2003


Box 18 Folder 19 Table of Contents, undated


Box 18 Folder 20 Publicity, 2003


Box 18 Folder 21 Reviews, 2003-2004


Box 18 Folder 22 Royalties, 2003


Box 18 Folder 23 Cover Mockups, undated


Doing 70 , 2006-2008


Box 18 Folder 24 Drafts, 2006 (2 Folders), 2006



Box 19 Folder 1 Alternative Drafts, undated


Box 19 Folder 2 Book Party, 2007


Box 19 Folder 3 NYT Book Review, 2007


Box 19 Folder 4 Hanging Loose Press Catalog and Uncorrected Proof, 2007-2008


Box 19 Folder 5 "The Second Person"--Promotional Poem Printout, undated


Drive , 1995-1999


Box 19 Folder 6 Alternative Titles, undated


Box 19 Folder 7 Comments from Chuck Wachtel, 1995


Box 19 Folder 8 Correspondence and Contract, 1996-1999


Box 19 Folder 9 Manuscript and Cover Proofs,1998


Box 19 Folder 10 Norma Farber First Book Award, 1999


Box 19 Folder 11 Party, 1998


Box 19 Folder 12 Publicity, 1997-1998


Box 19 Folder 13 Reviews and Articles, 1998


Box 19 Folder 14 Royalties, 1999


For Four Hetties , 1985-1995


Box 19 Folder 15 Drafts and Proofs, 1995


Box 19 Folder 16 Research Material, 1985-1991


Having Been Her , 1979-1981


Box 19 Folder 17 Typescript Draft, 1979


Box 19 Folder 18 "The Indian Party"--Drafts, undated


Box 19 Folder 19 "The X-Ray Technician" Drafts, 1981


Box 19 Folder 20 Christmas Poems, 1999-2009


Box 19 Folder 21 Poetry for Grant Submission, 1980s


Box 19 Folder 22 Poetry Notes, undated


Poetry A-Z, 1950s-2004


Box 19 Folder 23 "A Beautiful Day"--"A Little Light Verse for Helene", 1950s-2002



Box 20 Folder 1 "All the Beautiful Days"--"Back", 1957-1989


Box 20 Folder 2 "Back on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway"--"Cold Snaps", 1950s-2002


Box 20 Folder 3 "Color"--"The Doorman Has Been Paroled", 1960s-2004


Box 20 Folder 4 "Double Decker"--"Fear", 1967-2001


Box 20 Folder 5 "The Female Equivalent"--"Generations", 1956-2000s



Box 21 Folder 1 "Genuflection to Petty Officer First Class"--"Gramma's Tears", circa, 1960s-2003


Box 21 Folder 2 "Had He a Need of Roots"--"Improper Shutdown Detected", 1959-1990s


Box 21 Folder 3 "In all that Darkness"--"It was narrative", 1960s-2002


Box 21 Folder 4 "Jam"--"Living on Air", 1960s-1999


Box 21 Folder 5 "Look at How We Live"--"Mrs. Shandho Says", 1968-1991


Box 21 Folder 6 "Muscular Crepuscular"--"Not", 1963-1996



Box 22 Folder 1 "(Not) Absolutely the Last Love Poem"--"The Parks on the Peripheries",, 1980-1999


Box 22 Folder 2 "Past Life Between"--"Preservation", 1957-2001


Box 22 Folder 3 "Privilege"--"Ruby My Dear", 1979-2005


Box 22 Folder 4 "Salidin's Crossin"--"She", 1966-1997


Box 22 Folder 5 "She Tells the Young Woman"--"Starting Here", 1957-2003



Box 23 Folder 1 "Stock Market"--"This is For Hettie Barnes", 1970s-1993


Box 23 Folder 2 "This is For Hetty Fox"--"The Time, the time, the time", 1950s-1988


Box 23 Folder 3 "Tonight the Sky is Purple"--"Vito!", 1960s-2003


Box 23 Folder 4 "Wait What's This"--"Well here comes the doctor", 1956-1991


Box 23 Folder 5 "What a Loud Voice"--"Women in Black", 1956-1995


Box 23 Folder 6 "Woodshedding"--"You know I watched…", 1995


Subseries II.3: Prose, 1955-2009

Jones' published and unpublished non-fiction prose, including essays, reviews, editorial work, lectures, speeches, and public reading listings are held in this subseries. The material in this subseries, unless otherwise noted, is arranged according to Jones' original order.

Included within this series are the manuscripts for an unpublished short story collection, comprised of previously published material, entitledIn Care of Worth Auto Parts,as well as typescripts of a number of published and unpublished short stories; material pertaining to Jones' essays—particularly her contribution to theRolling Stone Beat BookandWomen of the Beat Generation,as well as material relating to Jones' essay, co-written with daughter Lisa Jones, "Mama's White" ; and typescript drafts of Jones' numerous book reviews, and a small amount of editorial work not associated withYugenor Totem Press.

Also here is material from Jones' history of runaway slaves, From Midnight to Dawn, including a complete typescript as well as revisions to individual chapters is here as well as drafts of Jones book, written with Rita Marley, entitled No Woman No Cry. Many the drafts, which range from first complete drafts to corrected drafts and chapter outlines written by Rita Marley include Marley's handwritten corrections. In addition, there are research notes, multiple chapter revisions and expansions or additions to chapters, an original book proposal, book reviews, contracts, and correspondence with editors and Marley, and photographs from the book. Finally, there is audio material, including digital sound files and cassette tape interviews with Marley, as well as typed transcriptions of these interviews. Because the material associated withNo Woman No Crywas received in no discernible order, it has been arranged alphabetically.

istings and text for Jones' numerous speeches and readings can also be found within this series. Following Jones' ordering, both speeches and readings have been arranged by date. Also in this subseries are drafts of grant proposals written by Jones. Finally, there are items, in various mediums, about Jones, and her role in the Beat and Downtown literary movement—including academic theses and dissertations, articles, audio, television, radio, and film.

Audio box 55 is found in record stporage carton box 63.


In Care of Worth Auto Parts , 1981-2000



Box 24 Folder 1 Draft, 1998-2000


Box 24 Folder 2 Correspondence, 1981-1999


Box 24 Folder 3 Grant, 1993


Published Short Stories, 1982-1997


Box 24 Folder 4 "The Big Fish", 1997


Box 24 Folder 5 "Enough of This,", undated


Box 24 Folder 6 "How She Beat the Bogeyman,", undated


Box 24 Folder 7 "The Ironing Board," circa, 1980s


Box 24 Folder 8 "Minor Surgery,", 1982


Box 24 Folder 9 "This Time It Was Different at the Airport", undated


Unpublished Short Stories, undated


Box 24 Folder 10 "Cross Country Parkway", undated


Box 24 Folder 11 "Disintegration,", undated


Box 24 Folder 12 "Going To Jail", undated


Box 24 Folder 13 "How I Learned About Losing,", undated


Box 24 Folder 14 "How She Recognized Her Last Fling When She Found It,", undated


Box 24 Folder 15 "In Memory of Music", undated


Box 24 Folder 16 "Just Try to Go Somewhere You Can't", undated


Box 24 Folder 17 "The Making of a Writer", undated


Box 24 Folder 18 Untitled, undated


Rolling Stone Beat Book, 1998-1999


Box 24 Folder 19 Correspondence--Holly George Warren, 1998-1999


Box 24 Folder 20 "Babes in Boyland" and Bancroft Library Speech--Drafts, 1998-1999


Box 24 Folder 21 Notes, 1999


Other Genres--Unpublished, 1955-1990


Box 24 Folder 22 "Hers" Column, 1990


Box 24 Folder 23 Grad School Plays, 1955-1956


Box 24 Folder 24 Romance Novel, 1982


"Occasional Writing and Miscellaneous Starts,", 1957-1980s


Box 24 Folder 25 Journal Fragments, 1957


Box 24 Folder 26 Occasional Journal/Notes, 1970s


Box 24 Folder 27 Occasional Journal, 1980s


Box 24 Folder 28 Miscellaneous Starts, undated


From Midnight to Dawn , 1980s-2007



Box 25 Folder 1 to 6 Complete Drafts, 1980s-2004 (6 Folders), 1980s-2004



Box 26 Folder 1 Complete Drafts, 2004


Chapter Drafts, 2004-2005


Box 26 Folder 2 Introduction, undated


Box 26 Folder 3 Preface, undated


Box 26 Folder 4 "Dawn and 'Uncle Tom'", undated


Box 26 Folder 5 "Wilberforce", 2004


Box 26 Folder 6 "Mary Ann Shadd", 2005


Box 26 Folder 7 "Chatham", undated


Box 26 Folder 8 "Elgin", undated


Box 26 Folder 9 "Niagara", undated


Box 26 Folder 10 "Detroit Frontier", undated



Box 27 Folder 1 Research Materials, 2001-2004


Box 27 Folder 2 Reviews, 2007


Box 27 Folder 3 Royalties, 2008


Box 27 Folder 4 Doubleday Catalog Listing, 2007


Box 27 Folder 5 Correspondence, 2005-2006


No Woman No Cry , 2000-2004



Box 29 Folder 1 Audio, undated --AV Sound Files--Digital Material, undated



Box 27 Folder 6 to 11 Drafts, 2000-2003 (6 Folders), 2000-2003



Box 28 Folder 1 to 7 Drafts, 2000-2003 (7 Folders), 2000-2003



Box 29 Folder 2 Interview Transcriptions, undated



Box 30 Folder 3 Jacket Copy, undated


Box 30 Folder 4 Notes, undated



Box 29 Folder 3 Photos, 2003


Box 29 Folder 4 to 7 Proposal, undated (4 Folders), undated



Box 30 Folder 5 Research Materials, 2000-2003



Box 29 Folder 8 Reviews, 2004



Box 28 Folder 8 to 9 Revisions, Expansions, and Additions, undated (2 Folders), undated



Box 29 Folder 9 to 11 Revisions, Expansions, and Additions, undated (3 Folders), undated



Box 55 Rita Marley Audio Interviews, undated, 5 audiocassettes

Tape 2 missing


Rita backup for digital, 1 audiocassettes


Jimmy Norman on Bob Marley, December 13, 2000, 1 audiocassettes


Book Reviews, 1990-1996



Box 30 Folder 6 The Children Bob Moses Led , 1995


Box 30 Folder 7 Color of Water , 1996


Box 30 Folder 8 Love in Black and White , 1992


Box 30 Folder 9 My First White Friend , 1996


Box 30 Folder 10 Pushed Back to Strength , 1993


Box 30 Folder 11 Voices in the Mirror , 1990


Box 30 Folder 12 "Mama's White", 1994-2001


Permissions, 1983-2003


Box 30 Folder 13 General, 1994-2001


Box 30 Folder 14 ICM, 1987


Box 30 Folder 15 Beat Down to Your Soul , 2000-2001


Box 30 Folder 16 A Different Beat , 1996


Box 30 Folder 17 Correspondence, 1995-2003


Box 30 Folder 18 "Miscellaneous Literary Correspondence", 1983-1999


Box 30 Folder 19 Letter to Editor--by Hettie, 1989


Women of the Beat Generation , 1995-1997


Box 30 Folder 21 Correspondence, 1995-1997


Box 30 Folder 22 Drafts, 1996-1997


Box 30 Folder 23 Press, 1996


Editorial Work, 1973-2000


Box 30 Folder 24 Invoice, 1973


Box 30 Folder 25 Studio Museum Catalog, 2000


Readings, 1960s-2009



Box 31 Folder 1 to 7 Listings, 1981-2005 (7 Folders), 1981-2005



Box 32 Folder 1 to 6 Listings, 1995-2001 (6 Folders), 1995-2001



Box 33 Folder 1 to 6 Listings, 2002-2009 (6 Folders), 2002-2009



Box 34 Folder 1 Listings, 2008-2009



Box 56 Folder 2 Oversize Reading Posters, 1960s-2008 (1 of 2), 1960s-2008



Mapcase 14-O-4 Oversize Reading Posters, 1976-2003 (2 of 2), 1976-2003



Box 34 Folder 2 to 6 Speeches, 1990-1997 (5 Folders), 1990-1997



Box 35 Folder 1 to 8 Speeches, 1996-2001 (8 Folders), 1996-2001



Box 36 Folder 1 to 2 Grants and Fellowships, 1994-2009 (2 Folders), 1994-2009


Writings About Hettie, 1981-2008


Box 36 Folder 3 to 6 Academic Theses, 1988-2009 (4 Folders), 1988-2009


Box 36 Folder 7 Articles, 1981-2008



Box 37 Folder 1 to 3 Articles, 1981-2008 (3 Folders), 1981-2008


Box 37 Folder 4 Audio, Television, and Radio, 1991-2003


Box 37 Folder 5 to 6 Movies, 1988-2006 (2 Folders), 1988-2006


Subseries II.4: Children's Literature, 1971-2002

This subseries contains Jones' work on novels, short stories, textbooks, and educational pamphlets for children and young adults. Included are numerous complete manuscripts, typescripts, galleys, and proofs of many of Jones' works for children and young adults. There are also permissions and copyrights, correspondence, and contracts pertaining to the literature here. This subseries has been arranged according to its original order.


Royalties, 1971-2003


Box 37 Folder 7 Big Star Fallin' Mama , 1974-2003


Box 37 Folder 8 Longhouse Winter and Coyote Tales , 1973-1980


Box 37 Folder 9 How to Eat Your ABC's , 1977-1985


Box 37 Folder 10 I Hate to Talk About Your Mother , 1982-1986


Box 37 Folder 11 Living with Wolves , 1974-1982


Box 37 Folder 12 Trees , 1971-1999



Box 38 Folder 1 Elaine Markson, 1981-1989


Box 38 Folder 2 to 3 Drafts, 1973 (2 Folders), 1973


Box 38 Folder 4 to 5 Galleys, 1973 (2 Folders), 1973


Box 38 Folder 6 to 7 Proofs, 1974 (2 Folders), 1974


Box 38 Folder 8 Revisions, 1974


Box 38 Folder 9 Prepress Draft, 1994


Box 38 Folder 10 Revised Pages, 1994



Box 39 Folder 1 Catalogs, 1975-2001


Box 39 Folder 2 Correspondence, 1972-1996


Box 39 Folder 3 Dust Sleeves and Covers, 1973-1994


Box 39 Folder 4 Permissions and Rights, 1973-1993


Box 39 Folder 5 Press, 1995


Box 39 Folder 6 Research Materials, undated


Box 39 Folder 7 Reviews, 1974-1975


Box 39 Folder 8 Coyote Tales , undated


How to Eat Your ABC's , 1976-1977


Box 39 Folder 9 Manuscript and Proofs, undated


Box 39 Folder 10 Reviews and Letters, 1976-1977



Box 61 Braille Edition, undated--in oversize Box



Box 62 Braille Edition, undated--in oversize Box



Box 39 Folder 11 Children's Textbook, undated


I Hate to Talk About Your Mother , 1979-1984


Box 39 Folder 12 to 13 Manuscripts, 1979-1980 (2 Folders), 1979-1980



Box 40 Folder 1 to 2 Manuscripts, 1979-1980 (2 Folders), 1979-1980


Box 40 Folder 3 Hate and Fan Mail, 1981-1983


Box 40 Folder 4 Publicity, 1980


Box 40 Folder 5 Reviews, 1980-1984


Longhouse Winter , 1972-1973


Box 40 Folder 7 "The Bird, the Fish, the Snake, and the Man"--w/ letter from Hettie to her mother,, undated


Box 40 Folder 8 "Longhouse Winter", undated


Box 40 Folder 9 Proofs,undated


Box 40 Folder 10 Reviews and Press, 1972-1973


Box 40 Folder 11 Spooky Tales from Gullah Gullah Island , 1995-1996


Trees Stand Shining , 1970-2002


Box 40 Folder 12 Library Notes, 1971


Box 40 Folder 13 Permission/Rights, 1970-2002


Box 40 Folder 14 Press Release, Award, Notes, Correspondence,1971-1997


Box 40 Folder 15 Reviews, 1971-1976


Box 40 Folder 16 Missing Sweet Rose , 1980-1981


A Person in Need of Supervision , 1980-1983


Box 40 Folder 17 Manuscript--with letters from Delacorte, 1983 (1 of 2 Folders), 1983



Box 41 Folder 1 Manuscript, 1983 (1 of 2 Folders), 1983


Box 41 Folder 2 Correspondence, 1980


Box 41 Folder 3 Research Material, 1982


Box 41 Folder 4 Ring the Old Jeff Bell, 1980s (2 Folders), 1980s


Box 41 Folder 5 Sister Duck and Brother Drake Find the Sun and the Stars, 1989-, 1991


Box 41 Folder 6 Zora's Gift , 1991


Short Stories, 1961-1983


Box 41 Folder 7 "Anasi the Spider", undated


Box 41 Folder 8 "Niky but Different,", 1973


Box 41 Folder 9 "The Emergency Signal,", 1973


Box 41 Folder 10 "Gracie and the Biggest Pumpkin,", undated


Box 41 Folder 11 "Kellie's Ordinary Thursday,", 1961


Box 41 Folder 12 "Mahalia Jackson,", undated


Box 41 Folder 13 "Rosa Parks,", 1969


Box 41 Folder 14 "The Sign in Beaver Hollow,", undated


Box 41 Folder 15 "The Summer House Secret,", 1983


Box 41 Folder 15 "Sybil Ludington,", undated


Educational, 1975


At Home In the City , 1989-1991


Box 41 Folder 16 Drafts ,Outlines, Notes, undated


Box 41 Folder 17 Correspondence, 1989-1991


Box 41 Folder 18 Hunger , 1975


Box 41 Folder 19 Grace Opportunity Project, 1969-1983


Box 41 Folder 20 "Mobilization For Youth": History of Anti-Poverty Programs, undated


Box 41 Folder 21 101 Safety Hints for Children, undated



Box 42 Folder 1 to 2 Second Grade Project Manual, undated (2 Folders), undated


Box 42 Folder 3 Creative Living, 1984


Box 42 Folder 4 Exercises, undated


Box 42 Folder 5 Sally Ride Biography, undated


Subseries II.5: Yugen and Totem Press Materials, 1958-1963

Included in this series are materials relating to Jones' time as co-editor of the little magazineYugen,and the poetry press Totem. Issues ofYugenbetween 1958 and 1959, as well as the financial record book which includes a partial distribution list are here. The subseries also has a number of poetry submissions sent toYugen,and some Spanish-language poetry books inscribed to the magazine.


Box 42 Folder 6 Yugen Issues, 1958-1959



Box 54 Folder 11 Financial Record Book, circ.1963


Submissions to Yugen , 1958-1962



Box 42 Folder 7 Anonymous, undated


Box 42 Folder 8 Bob Nichols, 1959


Box 42 Folder 9 Jorge Frick, undated


Box 42 Folder 10 Stan Persky, 1958-1962


Box 42 Folder 11 Micheline, Jack and George Stade, undated


Box 42 Folder 12 Spanish Language Journals and Chapbooks Inscribed to Yugen circ., 1963