The dynamic but little-known story of how archives came to shape and be shaped by European culture and society

Including: A response to critics, and: Ten rules for "serious" writers, the author continues his fight on behalf of the American reader, arguing against pretension in so-called "literary" fiction, naming names and exposing the literary status quo.

What can we learn about authorship through a reading of a writer’s archive? Collections of authors’ manuscripts and correspondence have traditionally been used in ways that further illuminate the published text. JoAnn McCaig sets out to show how archival materials can also provide fascinating insights into the business of culture, reveal the individuals, institutions, and ideologies that shape the author and her work, and describe the negotiations that occur between an author and the cultural marketplace. Using a feminist cultural studies approach, JoAnn McCaig “reads in” to the archives of acclaimed Canadian short story writer Alice Munro in order to explore precisely how the terms “Canadian,” “woman,” “short story,” and “writer” are constructed in her writing career. Munro’s correspondence with mentor Robert Weaver, agent Virginia Barber, publishers Doug Gibson and Ann Close, and writer John Metcalf tell a fascinating story of how one very determined and gifted writer made her way through the pitfalls of the culture business to achieve the enviable authority she now claims. McCaig’s discussion of her own difficulties with obtaining copyright permission for the book raises important questions about freedom of scholarly inquiry and about the unforeseen difficulties and limitations of archival research. Despite these difficulties, McCaig’s reading of the Munro archives succeeds in examining the business of culture, the construction of the aesthetic, and the impact of gender, genre, nationality, and class on authorship. While on one level telling the story of one author’s career — the progress of Alice Munro, so to speak — the book also illustrates how cultural studies analysis suggests ways of opening up the rich but underutilized literary resource of authorial archives to all researchers.

This valuable resource provides information on best practices and solutions to successfully establish an archival programme; it uses a practical approach, without the use of technical or theoretical jargon. Additionally it serves as a companion text in a theoretical archival course. The book provides easy-to-follow advice on how to assess the information needs of any institution and the greater community for which the archives were created to serve. Guidelines for achievable goals are provided for starting an archives programme in an environment where a small budget or even a 'no budget' can threaten the future of the archives. - First book that attempts to de-mystify archives - Practical approaches without the use of technical jargon - Easy to follow Plans of Action

Starting an Archives is designed for institutional administrators, archivists, and records managers thinking about beginning a historical records program in their organization. The book covers the decision making process which should precede the establishment of an archival program, outlines the first steps necessary in the beginning of an archival program, and introduces basic archival functions to readers. These functions include: archival administration, collection development, appraisal, records management, arrangement, description, reference, outreach, and preservation and facilities planning. The book provides a theoretical rationale for the establishment of an archival program and discusses the managerial, financial, and administrative implications involved in beginning an archives. At the same time, however, it approaches the subject of starting an archives in a practical manner. There are clear descriptions of archival activities, samples of the important archival policy documents and forms, and a current bibliograohy which points to additional texts for further reference. Information on archival organizations is also included to help beginning archives locate and join local and national professional archival networks.