Pat Murphy papers

Collection

Identifier: SCA-RBSC-SFWA-047

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Pat Murphy papers contains early handwritten drafts, research, proofs, and correspondence pertaining to Murphy's career as a science fiction author. Series I is devoted to the author's novels including Murphy's first published novel, The Shadow Hunter (1982) and the Nebula Award winning novel, The Falling Woman (1986). The documents in this series provides an understanding of the author's writing process as researchers can view a novel's development... from brain storming flashcards to rough draft to final galley.

Series II contains Murphy's short fiction including her children's picture book "Pigasus" and unpublished works in Sub-Series A. The bulk of the unpublished works were written prior to Murphy's participation in Clarion West writer's workshop in 1978. Series III includes documents pertaining to Murphy's authorial career including reviews, correspondence with editors, and fan mail.

Dates

Creation: circa 1975-2009

Creator

Murphy, Pat, 1955- (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research under the terms of the NIU Special Collections and Archives. Photographs and photocopies of collection are prohibited.

Restrictions, where applicable, are noted at the folder level.

Conditions Governing Use

Property Rights are transferred to the University Libraries per the signed Deed of Gift Document. Literary Rights are retained by the content creator. Any copyrights so stated in the materials remain in force.

Biographical Note

Pat Murphy (b. 1955) was born in Spokane, Washington. She earned a B.A. in biology and general science from UC Santa Cruz in 1976. Murphy also participated in the Science Writing Program during her undergraduate years. She has published numerous science articles since 1976. From 1978 to 1982, she was a senior research writer in the educational graphics department at Sea World. Beginning in 1982, she worked in various writing and editorial capacities... at The Exploratorium interactive science museum in San Francisco.

After attending the Clarion West writers workshop in 1978 she published her first short fiction story, "Nightbird at the Window" in 1979 (see Series II, Box 19, Folder 36). Shortly thereafter, she began a successful science fiction career earning numerous awards including the Nebula Award and SF Award.

Extent

13.59 Linear Feet : 5 record boxes; 19 archival document boxes; 1 artifact box.

0.616 Megabytes : 2 floppy disks ; 3.5 in.

Language of Materials

English

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Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into 3 series and 2 sub-series.

Series I: Novels
Series II: Short fiction and collections
Sub-Series A: Unpublished works
Series III: Professional papers
Sub-Series B: Teaching materials

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Inital donation by Pat Murphy on September 10, 2010. Additions donated by Pat Murphy on November 14, 2010, December 15, 2010, May 14, 2011, october 24, 2011, January 11, 2012, May 11, 2013, July 2018 and October 2018.