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An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days: The Southwestern Writers Collection's Wittliff

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The Southwestern Writers Collection (SWC) at Texas State University is home to a vast and diverse collection of literary works by writers from the American Southwest. The collection includes manuscripts, first editions, letters, photographs, and other materials that document the lives and careers of some of the most important writers in American literature.

One of the most significant collections within the SWC is the Wittliff Collections, which includes the papers of more than 1,500 writers, editors, and publishers. The Wittliff Collections are a treasure trove for scholars and researchers, providing a unique window into the creative process of some of the most important figures in American literature.

In 2020, the SWC celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Wittliff Collections. To mark the occasion, the SWC published an anthology of essays by leading scholars and writers on the importance of the Wittliff Collections. The essays in the anthology explore the history of the collections, their impact on American literature, and their future potential.

An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days (Southwestern Writers Collection Wittliff Collections at Texas State University)

An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days (Southwestern Writers Collection Series, Wittliff Collections at Texas State University)

by Susan Wittig Albert

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Language	:	English
File size	:	2596 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	235 pages

The anthology, titled "An Extraordinary Year of Ordinary Days: The Southwestern Writers Collection's Wittliff," is a valuable resource for anyone interested in American literature. The essays provide a comprehensive overview of the Wittliff Collections and their significance, and they offer new insights into the work of some of the most important writers in American history.

The History of the Wittliff Collections

The Wittliff Collections were founded in 1970 by Southwestern Writers Collection curator Bill Wittliff. Wittliff was a writer and filmmaker who had a deep passion for American literature. He began collecting materials related to Southwestern writers in the 1960s, and he eventually donated his collection to Texas State University in 1970.

The Wittliff Collections have grown steadily over the years, and they now include the papers of more than 1,500 writers, editors, and publishers. The collections are particularly strong in the areas of Western American literature, Texas literature, and Mexican American literature.

The Impact of the Wittliff Collections

The Wittliff Collections have had a profound impact on American literature. The collections have provided scholars and researchers with a wealth of new material to study, and they have helped to raise the profile of Southwestern writers.

The Wittliff Collections have also been a major force in promoting the study of American literature in the Southwest. The SWC hosts a number of conferences and workshops each year that bring together scholars and writers from around the world. The SWC also publishes a number of books and journals that focus on American literature in the Southwest.

The Future of the Wittliff Collections

The Wittliff Collections are a vital resource for scholars and researchers, and they will continue to be a major force in the study of American literature for many years to come. The SWC is committed to preserving and expanding the collections, and it is working to make the collections more accessible to scholars and the general public.

The SWC is also working to develop new ways to use the Wittliff Collections to promote the study of American literature. The SWC is currently working on a number of digital projects that will make the collections more accessible to scholars and the general public. The SWC is also working to develop new educational programs that will use the collections to teach students about American literature.

The Wittliff Collections are a national treasure, and they will continue to be a major resource for scholars and researchers for many years to come. The SWC is committed to preserving and expanding the collections, and it is working to make the collections more accessible to scholars and the general public.

The Southwestern Writers Collection's Wittliff Collections are a vital resource for scholars and researchers, and they have had a profound impact on American literature. The collections will continue to be a major force in the study of American literature for many years to come.