A Guide to the Cathryn Hankla Papers, 1971-1992
A Collection in
Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell
Library
Collection Number M 299
Virginia Commonwealth University, James Branch Cabell Library
Special Collections and ArchivesJames Branch Cabell Library
Box 842003
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia 23284-2003
USA
Phone: (804) 828-1108
Fax: (804) 828-0151
Email: libjbcsca@vcu.edu
URL: https://www.library.vcu.edu/research-teaching/special-collections-and-archives/
© 2002 By Copyright Virginia Commonwealth University. All Rights Reserved.
Funding: Web version of the finding aid funded in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Processed by: Eric Lee Kau
Administrative Information
Access
Collection is open for use without restrictions.
Use Restrictions
None.
Preferred Citation
Box/folder, Cathryn Hankla, M 299, Special Collections and Archives, James Branch Cabell Library, Virginia Commonwealth University
Acquisition Information
On deposit to Special Collections and Archives. Transfered by Ms. Cathryn Hankla in August of 1992.
Processing Information
Collection processed in April 1993.
Biographical/Historical Information
Cathryn Hankla was born on March 20, 1958 in the Appalachian Mountains in Richlands, VA to Joyce and Alden Hankla. From the age of thirteen her interest in writing was evident as she created a large body of poetry. She continued her interest in writing by working on the school magazine, "Inklings", at Pulaski County High School. After graduating from high school in 1976, she attended Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia and received a B.A. in English and Film in 1980, and in 1982 she earned a M.A. in English and Creative Writing. Throughout this period she continued to write poetry, short stories, plays, and got married to writer and critic Richard H.W. Dillard in 1979. They were divorced in 1992. Her first book, Phenomena (1983), was reviewed as one of the five best books of poetry published in 1983. Since then she has published a short story anthology, Learning the Mother Tongue (1987), the highly acclaimed novel, A Blue Moon in Poorwater (1988), and another book of poetry Afterimages (1991). Additionally, her reviews, poems, and short stories have appeared in such journals as Yarrow, the Chicago Tribune Sunday Magazine, and College English. Hankla was visiting lecturer in fiction writing at the University of Virginia (spring of 1985), Randolph- Macon's Woman's College Writer in Residence (spring of 1987), and visiting Assistant Professor at Washington and Lee University (1989-1991). Currently, she lives in Troutville, VA and is an associate professor of English at Hollins College (1986-present).
Scope and Content Information
Cathryn Hankla's collection contains her poetry, short stories, plays, and novels from 1971 to 1992. The material documents the development and maturation of Hankla from the age of 13. The bulk of Hankla's collection is in her poetry drafts (1971-1989) and her published work (1980-1992). There are no significant gaps in her collection since its contents are spread out evenly throughout its 21 year period.
Another strength of Hankla's papers is in her poetry. Containing the poems that she has written over a 18 year range, many of her initial poems have been revised repeatedly. These drafts provide an insight to her development as a poet and writer by demonstrating the obvious changes in her style, form, and content. The weakness of this collection is the lack of any biographical information about Cathryn Hankla. Except for some passing information in some of her book reviews, there is no significant information about Hankla herself.
In this collection of novels, poetry, short stories, plays, theses, and notes, a large area of interest is in her published work. This is especially true in examples like Phenomena, Learning the Mother Tongue, A Blue Moon in Poorwater, and Afterimages that contain a complete set of correspondence, drafts, and reviews. Specifically, the correspondence shows her initial contact with numerous publishing companies and her continuous discussion with the eventual publisher about the evolution of her work. As a result, the collection documents the complete development of her work from draft to review. Presently, Hankla is not represented in any other repository.
Arrangement
ArrangementCollection is arranged chronologically.
OrganizationThe collection is a result of a single accession. Artificial series were imposed on the collection to highlight the development of Hankla's work. Series 1 was divided into two subseries and chronologically arranged therein from oldest to newest, while Series 2,3, 5-7 were arranged chronologically as well. In Series 4 there were eight subseries with correspondence arranged chronologically and placed at the beginning. Drafts are arranged chronologically, and reviews follow the drafts. Researchers must note that within the collection there are places where documents from one series could be placed in another if it were not for the fact that two different works shared a piece of paper. Also, it must be noted that "First Person Love" has not been published yet.
Contents List
- Subseries A:: Poetry Drafts, n.d. 1971-1989
- Box-folder
1.1
Poetry, n.d. 1971-1974
- Box-folder
1.2
Poetry, n.d. 1973-1974
- Box-folder
1.3
Poetry, n.d. 1973-1975
- Box-folder
1.4
Poetry, n.d. 1974-1976
- Box-folder
1.5
Poetry, n.d. 1975
- Box-folder
1.6
Poetry, n.d. 1975-1976
- Box-folder
1.7
Poetry, n.d. 1976
- Box-folder
1.8
Poetry (1 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
2.1
Poetry (2 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
2.2
Poetry (3 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
2.3
Poetry (4 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
2.4
Poetry (5 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
2.5
Poetry (6 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
2.6
Poetry (7 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
3.1
Poetry (8 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
3.2
Poetry (9 of 9), n.d. 1979-1989
- Box-folder
3.3
Poetry, n.d. 1981-1988
- Box-folder
3.4
Poetry 1974-1975
- Box-folder
3.5
Poetry: "Hankla Endeavors " 1974-1975
- Box-folder
3.6
Poetry (1 of 2) 1974-1976
- Box-folder
3.7
Poetry (2 of 2) 1974-1976
- Box-folder
3.8
Poetry 1976-1977
- Box-folder
1.1
- Poetry Manuscripts, n.d. 1982-1983
- Box-folder
4.1
Poetry Manuscript: "Persistence of Vision ", n.d.
- Box-folder
4.2
Poetry Manuscript: The Tautology of Goodbye , n.d.
- Box-folder
4.3
Poetry Manuscript: "Tree in the Rock ", n.d. (1 of 4)
- Box-folder
4.4
Poetry Manuscript: "The Juggler's Ghost and Other Poems "(2 of 4), n.d. 1982-1983
- Box-folder
4.5
Poetry Manuscript: "Vanishing Islands ", n.d. (3 of 4) 1982-1983
- Box-folder
4.6
Poetry Manuscript, n.d. (4 of 4)
- Box-folder
4.1
- Box-folder
4.7
Short Stories, n.d.
- Box-folder
4.8
Short Stories: "The Cartoonist ", n.d. 1982
- Box-folder
4.9
Short Stories: "The Life of An American No One ", n.d.
- Box-folder
4.10
Short Stories: Marks of the Prism, n.d.
- Box-folder
5.1
Short Stories, n.d. 1980-1982, 1984, 1988 (1 of 4)
- Box-folder
5.2
Short Stories, n.d. 1980-1982, 1984, 1988
- Box-folder
5.3
Short Stories, n.d. 1980-1982, 1984, 1988
- Box-folder
5.4
Short Stories, n.d. 1980-1982, 1984, 1988
- Box-folder
5.5
Play Manuscript: "Disintegration: A Libretto ", n.d.
- Box-folder
5.6
Play Manuscript: "The Pier as Breakwater ", n.d.
- Box-folder
5.7
Play Manuscript: "Drop Dead Twice ", n.d. 1982
- Box-folder
5.8
Play Manuscript: Disintegration: A Libretto, n.d. 1982
- Box-folder
5.9
Play Manuscript: The Pier as Breakwater, n.d. 1982
- Book Review, n.d. 1981, 1984, 1985, 1987
- Box-folder
6.1.
Book Reviews, n.d. 1981, 1984, 1985, 1987
- Box-folder
6.1.
- A Wilderness of Light, n.d.
- Box-folder
6.2
Manuscript, n.d.
- Box-folder
6.2
- Phenomena, n.d. 1980-1986
- Box-folder
6.3
Correspondences 1980-1983
- Box-folder
6.4
Manuscript 1981
- Box-folder
6.4
Manuscript 1981
- Box-folder
6.5
Edited Manuscript 1982
- Box-folder
6.6
Reviews, n.d. 1981-1984
- Box-folder
6.7
Congratulations, n.d. 1983-1986
- Box-folder
6.3
- Fiction/86 , n.d. 1987
- Box-folder
6.8
Reviews, n.d. 1983
- Box-folder
6.8
- Learning the Mother Tongue , n.d. 1985-1987
- Box-folder
7.1
Correspondences 1985-1987
- Box-folder
7.2
Manuscript, n.d.(1 of 2)
- Box-folder
7.3
Manuscript, n.d. (2 of 2)
- Box-folder
7.4
Reviews 1987-1988
- Box-folder
7.5
Congratulations 1985-1987
- Box-folder
7.1
- A Blue Moon in Poorwater , n.d. 1985-1988
- Box-folder
7.6
Correspondences 1985-1988
- Box-folder
7.7
Notes and Misc., n.d. 1983, 1985, 1986
- Box-folder
7.8
Original Manuscript, n.d. (1 of 3)
- Box-folder
7.9
Original Manuscript, n.d. (2 of 3)
- Box-folder
8.1
Original Manuscript, n.d. (3 of 3)
- Box-folder
8.2
Proofed Manuscript, n.d. (1 of 4)
- Box-folder
8.3
Proofed Manuscript, n.d. (2 of 4)
- Box-folder
8.4
Proofed Manuscript, n.d. (3 of 4)
- Box-folder
8.5
Proofed Manuscript, n.d. (4 of 4)
- Box-folder
8.5
Proofed Manuscript (1 of 2)
- Box-folder
8.6
Proofed Manuscript (1 of 2) 1985
- Box-folder
8.7
Proofed Manuscript (2 of 2)
- Box-folder
9.1
Copy of Proofed Manuscript (1 of 2) 1985
- Box-folder
9.2
Copy of Proofed Manuscript (2 of 2) 1985
- Box-folder
9.3
Manuscript with revision notes, n.d. (1 of 3) 1986
- Box-folder
9.4
Manuscript with revision notes, n.d. (2 of 3) 1986
- Box-folder
9.5
Manuscript with revision notes, n.d. (3 of 3)
- Box-folder
9.6
Author's 1st Proof (1 of 2) 1987
- Box-folder
9.7
Author's 1st Proof (2 of 2) 1987
- Box-folder
10.1
Copy of Author's 1st Proof (1 of 2) 1987
- Box-folder
10.2
Copy of Author's 1 st Proof (2 of 2) 1987
- Box-folder
10.3
Uncorrected Proof 1988
- Box-folder
10.4
Reviews (1 of 2) 1988-1989
- Box-folder
10.5
Reviews (2 of 2) 1988-1989
- Box-folder
7.6
- Afterimages , n.d. 1990-1992
- Box-folder
10.6
Correspondences 1990-1992
- Box-folder
10.7
Manuscript, n.d.
- Box-folder
11.1
1st Proof, n.d.
- Box-folder
11.2
2nd Proof, n.d.
- Box-folder
11.3
Reviews 1991-1992
- Box-folder
10.6
- "First Person Love "(Magical Thorn: An Affliction of Love), n.d. 1984-1991
- Box-folder
11.4
Correspondences 1990-1991
- Box-folder
11.5
Notes and Misc., n.d.
- Box-folder
11.6
Notes and Misc., n.d. 1984-1985, 1989
- Box-folder
11.7
Early Draft, n.d. 1986, 1989
- Box-folder
11.8
Draft, n.d. (1 of 2)
- Box-folder
11.9
Draft, n.d. (2 of 2)
- Box-folder
12.1
Draft, n.d. (1 of 3)
- Box-folder
12.2
Draft, n.d. (2 of 3)
- Box-folder
12.3
Draft, n.d. (3 of 3)
- Box-folder
12.4
Draft, n.d. (1 of 6) 1991
- Box-folder
12.5
Draft, n.d. (2 of 6) 1991
- Box-folder
13.1
Draft, n.d. (3 of 6) 1991
- Box-folder
13.2
Draft, n.d. (4 of 6) 1991
- Box-folder
13.3
Draft, n.d. (5 of 6) 1991
- Box-folder
13.4
Draft, n.d. (5 of 6) 1991
- Box-folder
13.5
Final Draft, n.d. (1 of 2)
- Box-folder
13.6
Final Draft, n.d. (2 of 2)
- Box-folder
11.4
- Box 15
Alchemy 1981
- Box 15
Artemis 1977
- Box 15
Artemis 1978
- Box 15
Artemis 1979
- Box 15
Artemis 1980
- Box 15
Artemis 1982
- Box 15
Artemis 1983
- Box 15
Artemis VIII 1984
- Box 15
Artemis 1987
- Box 15
Artemis 1988
- Box 15
Artemis XII 1989
- Box 15
The Best of Intro 1985
- Box 15
Black Warrior Review 1981
- Box 15
Cargoes 1976
- Box 15
Cargoes 1977
- Box 15
Cargoes 1978
- Box 15
Cargoes 1978
- Box 15
Cargoes 1979
- Box 15
Cargoes 1979
- Box 15
Cargoes 1979
- Box 15
Cargoes 1980
- Box 15
Cargoes 1980
- Box 15
Cargoes 1981
- Box 15
Cargoes 1989
- Box 15
The Chattahoochee Review 1986
- Box 15
College English 1991
- Box 15
Contemporary Southern Short Fiction 1990
- Box 15
Creation Four 1972
- Box 15
Creation Five 1973
- Box 15
Creation Six 1974
- Box 15
Dan River Anthology 1985
- Box 15
Dan River Anthology 1985
- Box 15
Denver Quarterly 1986
- Box 15
The Devil's Millhopper 1981
- Box 15
Fiction/86 1986
- Box 15
Helicon Nine 1983
- Box 15
Images 1984
- Box 15
Images 1986
- Box 15
Images 1986
- Box 15
Images 1986
- Box 15
Images 1986
- Box 15
Inklings 1975
- Box 15
Inklings 1976
- Box 15
Inklings 1976
- Box 15
Intro 10 1979
- Box 15
Intro 11 1980
- Box 15
Intro 13 1982
- Box 15
Mid-American Review 1981
- Box 15
The Missouri Review 1982
- Box 15
MVR 1982
- Box 15
MVR 1984
- Box 15
New Jersey Poetry Journal 1981
- Box 15
New Jersey Poetry Journal 1983
- Box 15
New Jersey Poetry Journal 1985
- Box 15
New Virginia Review 1986
- Box 16
New Virginia Review 1988
- Box 16
Outerbridge 1980-1981
- Box 16
Outerbridge 1983-1984
- Box 16
Passages North 1981
- Box 16
Passages North 1981
- Box 16
Ploughshares 1983
- Box 16
Ploughshares 1983
- Box 16
Quarterly West 1981-1982
- Box 16
Shenandoah 1988
- Box 16
Shenandoah 1989
- Box 16
Sunday 1989
- Box 16
Telescope 1983
- Box 16
The Texas Review 1984
- Box 16
The Texas Review 1984
- Box 16
Thicket 1978
- Box 16
The Third Log 1986
- Box 16
Vital Signs 1989
- Box 16
Webster Review 1984
- Box 16
Window 1978
- Box 16
World and I 1992
- Box 16
World and I 1992
- Box 16
Yarrow 1985
- Box 16
Yarrow 1988
- Box 16
Yarrow 1990-1991
- Box 17
Afterimages: Folder 11.2 2nd Proof, n.d.oversized