MS 6635 Papers of Alan Gould (1949- )
Papers
1972-1998
2.8 metres (20 boxes)
Partly restricted: all correspondence is restricted; folders 46-50,
70-74, 78-90.
The papers were purchased by the Library in 1982, 1987, 1991, 1997 and
1998.
The papers include personal and business correspondence, poems,
notebooks, travel journals, drafts and proofs of Alan Goulds published
works of fiction, poetry and essays, applications for literary grants, talks,
articles, reviews, cuttings and photographs. Comments on his draft works by
friends and publishers, and readers reports and comments on them, are
also included.
The collection gives a good account of Goulds literary activities,
and provides an insight into his relationship with other Australian poets,
especially in his correspondence with Les Murray, Philip Mead, David Brooks,
Mark OConnor and Bronwen Levy.
The bulk of Goulds personal correspondence from 1990 to 1998, with
family, friends, writers and publishers, is on four disks.
Alan Gould was born in London in 1949. His father was a brigadier in the
British Army and Gould lived in Armed Forces camps in England, Northern
Ireland, Germany and Singapore before coming to Australia in 1966. He has
worked in short term positions including nuclear physics technician and
agricultural labourer. Since 1975 Gould has written novels, poetry and essays
almost full time, supplementing his income with relief teaching and literary
journalism. In 1999 Gould was awarded the Philip Hodgins Memorial Medal.
Goulds books have won several awards. His second volume of poems,
Astral Sea (1981), won the New South Wales Premiers Award for
Poetry in 1981. His first novel, The man who stayed below (1984),
won the Foundation For Australian Literary Studies Best Book of the Year Award
in 1985, his third novel, To the burning city (1991), won the
National Book Council Banjo Award for Fiction in 1992 and in 1999 The
Tazyrik Year (1998) won the Royal Blind Society Audio Book of the Year
Award. Volumes of poetry include Icelandic solitaries (1978), The
pausing of the hours (1984), The twofold place (1986), Years
found in likeness (1988), Formerlight (1992), Momentum
(1992), and Mermaid (1996). Works of fiction include The
enduring disguises (1988), Close ups (1994), and The Tazyrik year
(1998). Published essays include Three streets in search of an
author (1993) and The totem ship (1996).
Manuscripts Received September 1982
Box 1 |
|
| Notebooks. |
Thirteen slim notebooks containing drafts of poems (up to four
versions of some), with copious revisions and reworking, jottings and some
prose (including some written after overseas visits) (January 1972-mid 1981).
One travel journal, (30/4/77-4/8/77). Diary kept during visit to Greece,
Austria, Holland, Britain, Iceland, and other countries, with Kevin Hart
(1977). |
Box 2 |
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Folder |
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| 1 |
Unsorted maunscripts and letters by various authors that were
used either in the magazine, Canberra Poetry, or in various Open Door Press
publications, 1973-1979. |
| 2 |
Poems and prose by Michael Murphy |
| 3 |
Poems |
| 4 |
"MSS of poems composed during preparation of
Icelandic
solitaries, 1972-76." Eight poems, typed drafts, few ammendments, four
never published. Also typescript draft of Icelandic solitaries,
(Brisbane, University of Queensland Press, 1978). The draft was used as the
final publishers draft. Few annotations. |
| 5 |
"MSS of poems composed in the period preparation for
(Goulds) second book, Astral sea, 1976-79." Ten poems (typescript)
cut from published book, some comments by Les Murray. Print-ready draft of
Astral sea. The harrowing of Balmain by Kevin Hart and Alan Gould,
1975-76, 19 typescript pages. Published in Nation Review April-May 1976.
Few amendments. |
| 6 |
Print-ready draft of Ship in a bottle (later changed to
Astral sea) with some typescript explanatory notes to the poems ( 4
pages in the centre of the folder). |
| 7 |
Typescript draft intended to be Goulds second book
(Astral sea). Entries date from 1976 to 1979. Later poems in this group
were written during Goulds term as a Creative Arts Fellow at the
Australian National University in 1978. About half the poems have
amendments. |
| 8 |
"Drafts and typescripts of assorted prose pieces 1973-81". These
are mainly drafts of articles about poetry and Australian poets, but included
are articles on Assissi ( published in Quadrant, September 1981) and on
Prague, on patronage in the Arts (unpublished), book reviews. Index cards
containing notes for book reviews, including Homesickness by Murray
Bail, and The boys who stole the funeral by Les Murray for
Helix. |
| 9 |
"MSS of poems included in The pausing of the hours. One batch of
fifteen poems and one of about thirty, most typescript with two drafts, but
some with as many as four versions. Some annotation by Kevin Hart, Philip Mead
and Les Murray. Explanatory notes accompany the group of drafts. |
Box 3 |
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Folder |
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| 10 |
"MSS of poems not included in The pausing of the hours."
Drafts, some handwritten but many typescript, written 1980-82. Explanatory
notes accompany the group of drafts. |
| 11 |
The harrowing of Balmain. One of forty roneoed copies.
This copy contains comments in pencil by the poet Mark OConnor, and
comment by Gould in pen. |
| 12-19 |
The man who stayed below. Complete handwritten drafts,
notes and typescripts of Goulds first novel, comprising:
- Handwritten draft
- Original and photocopy of typescript, Draft 3
without corrections.
- Draft 4, typescript, with Angus and Robertson
editing.
- Background research material (chapter synopses, chronology,
advice on legal questions by Richard Refshauge).
- Correspondence with A & R, including critical comments on
text.
|
Box 4 |
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Folder |
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| 20-24 |
The man who stayed below. (Continued) |
| 25-28 |
The enduring disguises. Typescript and drafts of the three
novellas that comprise his second work of fiction, due late 1987 or early 1988.
The novellas are The clayfield, Decency and honour, and Paper
knife and broken oar. Some annotations. |
| 29 |
Chewing grass |
Box 5 |
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Folder |
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| 30 |
A windfall for the sixth chasseur A day and two
fires |
| 31 |
Paper knife and broken oar, Decency and honour, and
Works painted on a white wall. |
| 32 |
The totem ship. Typescript of unpublished collection of
essays. Virtually no annotations. |
| 33-34 |
The pausing of the hours. Typescript of poems with Angus
and Robertson editing. Final manuscript typed, no annotations. |
| 35-36 |
The twofold place (poems). Typescript, annotated.
Typescript with Angus and Robertson editing. Galleys. Photocopied
typescript. |
| 37 |
Icelandic solitaries. Typescript with editing for
publication. |
Box 6 |
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Folder |
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| 38-40 |
"Poetry drafts and manuscripts". Mostly handwritten, on loose
pages, successive drafts, fitting in with Goulds description of his
working methods. |
| 41 |
"Drafts of poems 1986-87, untitled manuscript".
Handwritten |
| 42 |
Untitled batch of poems. Photocopied typescript, no
annotations. |
| 43 |
"Rejected poetry, 1972-81". Typescript. A few critical comments
in margin. Poetry notebook (1 volume) |
| 44 |
Lectures, seminars, given at ADFA, June-August 1986, to first
year cadets. Drafts of non-literary essays. Mostly handwritten. |
| 45 |
Mostly handwritten drafts of book reviews, up to September
1986. |
Box 7 |
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Folder |
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| 46 |
"Various correspondence". Mostly business, royalty advice, etc.
Correspondents include H. Heseltine, Vivian Smith, Stephen
Murray-Smith. |
| 47-50 |
Correspondence with publishers. |
Boxes 8-9 |
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|
Folder |
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| 51-59 |
To the burning city (Heinemann, Sydney, 1991).
Disorganised word-processed printouts with different typefaces, some duplicate
chapters, some handwritten chapters. Plus final draft, few annotations, a
separate list of corrections and comments by editor. |
Box 9 |
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|
Folder |
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| 60 |
Formerlight (selected poems, Angus and Robertson, 1992).
Word-processed draft, few annotations Gould advises that poems were
revised for this edition. |
| 61 |
Momentum (provisional title). Collection of poetry. Small
folder entitled Penultimate ms of proposed book of poetry.
Word-processed draft, some amendments. |
| 62-63 |
The totem ship. Essays being prepared for publication.
File entitled Drafts discarded after being put on disc for essay
book. Includes article on prison life entitled A week away.
Also Goulds reviews of books by others. |
| 63-64 |
Enduring disguises. Mixed word-processed, typed and
handwritten drafts, some annotations. |
Box 10 |
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|
Folder |
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| 65-66 |
Years found in likeness. Draft annotated for
printing. |
| 67 |
Untitled folder containing a few word-processed poems, an honours
thesis (Gould, 1971, passed) and an M.A. mini thesis (Gould, 1972, failed, with
comments on reason for failure). |
| 67 |
Misc prose. Slim file of typescripts of reviews and
articles submitted to university magazines etc. Some annotations. |
| 68 |
Untitled substantial folder of poems, many handwritten or typed
with revisions. Probably prepared for Formerlight. |
| 69 |
Folder of reviews of Goulds poetry, 1978-88. Mostly press
cuttings. There are some reviews by Gould of writings by others. |
| 70-71 |
"Misc. correspondence" (thick file), 1970-1991. Includes letters
of Marion Halligan, John Tranter, Bob Brissenden, and some of Goulds own
replies. One from Australian National Maritime Museum on ship-modelling;
letters and documents re call-up for National Service and stay in Goulburn
Training Centre; long letters from Gould about his residency at the Lincoln
College of "Art (UK); publishers letters and royalty statements; comments
on The man who stayed below. $700 |
Box 11 |
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Folder |
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| 72 |
Correspondence 1987-90. Includes letters from Graham Hair about
orchestral adaptation of Goulds poems. Also Judith Wright, Rosemary
Dobson, Bob Brissenden, Rhyll McMaster, Michele Field. Letters on Macquarie
University Conference on the impact of the Vietnam War on Australia (1987), and
on Goulds involvement with the 1988 national Poetry Competition, with his
opinions on the inconclusive result. |
| 73 |
Correspondence with Angus and Robertson 1976-89. Mainly royalty
statements, production and launching of publications, public lending right and
the shortlisting of The man who stayed below for Braille Book of the
Year. |
| 74 |
Correspondence on Australia Council and on Literary Fellowship,
and on his experience as writer-in-residence at Lincoln College of Art,
1984-88
Loose letters and postcards, including one from Jim Snow, M.P.
about the Australia Card. Small quantity, approx 1987-91. |
| 75 |
Loose, disorganised drafts of poems, literary criticism, chapter
breakdown of The man who stayed below. Some handwrittern drafts of To
the burning city (?). |
| 76 |
Passport (British). Handwritten notes on
shipmodelling. Photographs (4) including good one of Alison Summers, A.D.
Hope and Gould. Corrected typescript of A paper knife and a broken
oar. |
| 77 |
Photocopy of typescript of Decency and honour. |
ADDITION 30 JULY 1997
The papers in this addition include correspondence, drafts, proofs,
addresses, articles, notebooks, cuttings, photographs and other papers relating
mainly to his novels To the burning city and Close ups,
and his volumes of poetry Formerlight, Momentum, and
Mermaid.
Correspondence, 1972-96
Personal and business correspondence. Topics in the personal
correspondence include family, literary friends, writing in progress, literary
competitions and festivals, and travel. Correspondents include Mark
OConnor, Julie Clabburn, David Brooks, Casey Van Sebille, Bronwen Levy,
Christopher Kelen, Geoff Page, Philip Mead, Kate Jennings, David Gilbey, Les
Murray, Verona Burgess and Rosemary Dobson. The business correspondence is with
his publishers, the Australia Council, National Library, the Australian
Broadcasting Commission, and the Church of England Boys Grammar School,
Brisbane. Access to Goulds personal correspondence, folders 78-84 is
restricted.
Box 12 |
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Folder |
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| 78 |
David Brooks, 1975-92 |
| 79 |
Mark OConnor,
1976-88 |
| 80 |
Julie Clabburn, 1970-96 |
| 81 |
Casey Van Sebille,
1978-96 |
| 82 |
Bronwen Levy, Mick
OFerrall, Anne Brennan, 1977-87 |
| 83 |
Amirah Inglis, Geoff Page, Amy Witting, Marion Eldridge, Sara
Dowse, Les Murray, Philip Hodgins, 1988-94. Includes congratulations on Banjo
Award for To the burning bush. |
| 84 |
Verona Burgess, David Wright, Irene Stevens, Paul Hetherington,
Steve Kelen, Jan Owen and others, 1972-97 |
Box 13 |
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Folder |
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| 85-90 |
Business correspondence |
| 85 |
Collins Angus & Robertson, including memorandum of agreement,
1976-93 |
| 86 |
1984-91 |
| 87 |
1992 |
| 88 |
1993 |
| 89 |
1994-95 |
| 90 |
1996 |
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Notebooks, 1980-87 |
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Folder/Item |
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| 91-97 |
Seven notebooks of jottings, observations, sketches, and drafts
of poetry and prose. Two of the notebooks relate to To the burning city
and The twofold place, with notes on characters and storylines. |
|
Novels |
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Manuscript drafts, typescripts, annotated and marked up
typescripts, authors galleys and cover proofs relating to three of
Goulds published novels, To the burning city, Close ups,
and The Tazyrik year. |
Box 14 |
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Folder/Item |
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| 98-99 |
To the burning city (Heinemann, 1991). Typescripts with
one marked up for the typesetter, authors galleys, and draft cover.
Correspondence with Heinemann relating to the novel is in folders 86 and
87. |
Box 15 |
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Folder/Item |
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| 100-104 |
Close ups (Heinemann, 1992). The drafts for this novel set
in Canberra include the first draft called Forgiveness (1991).
There is also a manuscript draft, edited and marked up typescripts, proofs and
cover proofs. Also included is a letter to Gould with editorial comments on
Close ups. |
Box 16 |
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|
Folder/Item |
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| 105 |
The Tazyrik year (Sceptre, 1998). An early draft of the
novel only. A long letter from Gould (January 1997) comments on the
readers report, and discusses plot and characters. |
|
Poetry |
|
|
Drafts and proofs relating to the publication of three volumes of
poems, Formerlight, Momentum, and Mermaid are included here,
together with a typescript entitled Grimaces and smiles: light verse by
Alan Gould. |
| 106 |
Formerlight (Angus & Robertson, 1992). Included are a
typescript marked Old ms do not use, a typescript marked up for
typesetting, and cover proofs. Other material relating to this volume was
received in 1991. Correspondence with Angus & Robertson concerning
Formerlight is in folder 85. |
| 107 |
Momentum (Heinemann, 1992). Typescripts, typescript marked
up for typesetting, proof copies and a cover proof. Material also received in
1991. |
Box 17 |
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Folder/Item |
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| 108 |
Mermaid: poems and illustrations (Heinemann, 1996).
Typescripts, typescript marked up for typesetting, a cover proof, and loose
poems. |
| 109 |
Grimaces and smiles: light verse by Alan Gould;
miscellaneous poems, possibly not published. |
|
Essays |
|
| 110-111 |
The Totem ship (Duffy and Snellgrove, 1996). Handwritten
request to Geoff Page to comment on the essays for possible inclusion in the
The Totem Ship, and the typewritten comments. Typescripts of collected
essays, travel pieces and reviews, originally entitled Your thumbprint
and mine. |
|
Prose |
|
| 112 |
Prose manuscripts including Seargills story and
Helgis story, typescript of an article on the 1983 National
Word Festival, and an outline of a proposed novel/novella, The schooner
masters dance. |
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Other papers |
|
Included in this section are papers relating to awards, talks,
reviews, newspaper cuttings, photographs and other writing. |
Box 18 |
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|
Folder |
|
| 113 |
Awards. Papers include correspondence on Australia Council
Fellowships and an ACT Literary Award, with accompanying curriculum vitae
(1972-97) and description of his current literary projects; an invitation from
the Australia Council to be on the judging panel for the 1991 Canada Australia
Literary Award, and Goulds notes on cards on the six nominated writers;
notes on book review award candidates and ACT literary award
candidates. |
| 114 |
Talks, reviews. Reviews by
Gould, an interview with Roger McDonald, a talk on Gwen Harwood at the Winona
Girls School, North Sydney, 1996, and an acceptance speech for the Banjo
Award. |
| 115 |
Newspaper cuttings, 1984-94.
Reviews of Goulds books, including Formerlight, To the burning
city, and Close ups, articles on the Banjo Award, and
articles by Les Murray and Bob Hefner on funding writers (1992-93). |
| 116 |
Australian War Memorial.
Papers on the return and entombment of the Unknown Soldier at the Australian
War Memorial on 11 November 1993. Gould, Rosemary Dobson and Geoff Page
suggested quotes for the memorial. |
| 117 |
Photographs, drawings.
Several photographs of Gould and other poets including Les Murray and Geoff
Page (n.d.). Drawings by Casey Van Sebille. |
| 118 |
Other writers. Photocopies of
articles, reviews and a thesis draft by Philip Mead; photocopies of articles by
Kevin Hart. |
| 119 |
Miscellaneous. Draft covers and broadsheets for Open Door Press
publications; publicity material for poetry readings; papers of Goulds
father, Ernest Clement Gould, including a vaccination certificate, an
international driving permit (1978) and his soldiers pay book
(1972-73). |
ADDITION 11 AUGUST 1998
The papers in this addition include four disks of Goulds own
letters, letters he received from literary and non-literary acquaintances, and
drafts of the published novel The Tazyrik year.
The disks, containing approximately 550 documents, include family,
personal and professional letters, curricula vitae, reviews, and family
histories. There are letters to family members, Les Murray, Roger McDonald,
Marion Halligan, Dorothy Johnston, Heather Rusden, Rosemary Brissenden, Philip
Mead, Julie Clabburn, Margaret Connolly, Ed Campion and Bob McMullin. Topics
include work in progress, Les Murrays influence on his work, literary
funding, tax matters and genealogical research. For access to electronic
documents, see Reading Room attendant.
The manuscript letters include personal files for Les Murray, Kevin Hart
and Philip Mead.
Correspondence, 1990-98
Box 19 |
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|
Folder |
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| 120 |
Disk 1. Family correspondence. Letters to brother, cousins,
uncles and aunts; family history, and affairs of E.C.Gould, including a eulogy,
condolences and a 23 page transcript of a war diary kept by him in 1941.
Disk 2. Personal correspondence. Included are letters to Les
Murray, Julie Clabburn, an old University friend, and Margaret Connolly, his
agent. Many of the 56 letters to or about Murray relate to Goulds
contributions to Quadrant, or contain comments on Murrays
poems.
Disk 3. Professional correspondence. Letters to publishers,
Francesca Rendle-Short, Ian Templeman, National Library of Australia,
Quadrant and the Australian Society of Authors. The letters are mainly
about literary contributions, proposed anthologies, responses to comments on
his work, and comments about other writers.
Disk 4. Correspondence with writers, the Taxation Office, and the
Canberra Times. There are reviews for the Canberra Times
Best Books, and a letter to the Editor on arts funding.
Correspondents include Marion Halligan, Roger McDonald, Rosemary Brissenden,
Jessica Anderson, Dorothy Johnston and Heather Rusden. |
| 121-123 |
Les Murray (1975-98). Mostly long, handwritten letters, and
cards, from Murray about literary events, publishing, politics, poetry readings
and travel. (164 letters and 50 signed poems). |
| 121 |
1975-84 |
| 122 |
1985-89 |
| 123 |
1990-98 |
| 124-125 |
Kevin Hart (1977-95). Typed and handwritten letters. Topics
include literary matters, other poets, events, travel, teaching, philosophy and
theology, and analysis of Goulds poems. (144 letters and 77 signed
poems) |
| 124 |
1977-83 |
| 125 |
1984-95 |
Box 20 |
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|
Folder |
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| 126 |
Philip Mead (1976-93). Typed and handwritten letters discussing
work-in-progress, literary events, teaching activities, and analysis of
Goulds poetry. Also included are poems, photographs and review cuttings.
(111 letters) |
| 127 |
Letters from literary acquaintances (1989-98). Mostly short
letters and postcards. Correspondents include Peter Alexander, Max Boyce,
Stephen Edgar, Russ Erwin, Paul Hetherington, Jan Owen, Ian Templeman and
Thomas Shapcott.
Letters from largely non-literary acquaintances (1991-98).
Correspondents include Michael OFerrall and David Wright. |
|
Novels |
|
| 128 |
Edited version of The Tazyrik Year, with a letter from
Hodder. |
| 129 |
Penultimate version of The Tazyrik Year. A
draft of a letter to Jennifer Byrne and Meredith Roe of Reed Books is written
on the cover. |
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