PCL MS 217 Nancy J. Cohen Collection

The Nancy J. Cohen Collection is comprised of 10 linear feet of correspondence, manuscripts, book publicity, articles and conference programs from 1994 to the present. The manuscripts form the nucleus of the collection and include futuristic romance titles written by Cohen under her own name and as Nancy Cane.

Nancy J. Cohen began donating the materials to the Browne Popular Culture Library in July 2007. There are no restrictions placed upon its use for scholarly purposes. Researchers are responsible for securing copyright permission from the author when duplicating any unpublished or published works included in the collection.

The finding aid was completed by Eric Honneffer in July 2009 and updated in January 2011. The finding aid was further updated by Manuscripts & Outreach Archivist Steve Ammidown in August 2017. Inquiries about the collection can be made by contacting the BPCL reference email.

Nancy J. Cohen entered the field of nursing with a bachelor's degree from the University of Rochester and completed a master's degree from the University of California in San Francisco. In 1975 she turned her interests to writing. Her first book, Circle of Light, was a futuristic romance novel written under the name Nancy Cane. It was published in 1994 and won the HOLT Medallion. Similar novels, Moonlight Rhapsody, Starlight Child and Keeper of the Rings would follow.

In 1999, Cohen's fifth book, Permed to Death, launched her mystery writing career with the popular Bad Hair Day Series featuring Florida hairstylist and sleuth, Marla Shore. The series now includes 14 novels and one novella. Cohen has also written three books in the Drift Lords series- manuscripts for this series are also included in this collection.

Manuscripts for futuristic romance novels written under the name Nancy Cane and mystery titles appearing in the Bad Hair Day series comprise the bulk of the Nancy J. Cohen Collection.

For each novel, researchers may manuscript drafts and galley copies for multiple editions of the book. 

The collection also includes correspondence, fan letters, publicity materials, and materials regarding personal appearances by Nancy J. Cohen.

This collection will be of interest to researchers examining Cohen's work, as well as the processs of authors who write series books across multiple genres.

Correspondence

1993-present (not inclusive)

Can include some correspondence relative to publication and promotion of N. Cohen novels and fan mail.

Files

2001, n.d.

Can include research for certain titles and style sheets.

Literary Productions

Novel Manuscripts

1994-present (not inclusive)

Arranged chronologically by book publication date

Can include novel manuscripts, edited copies and galleys.

Short Manuscripts

1995-2008 (not inclusive)

Can include miscellaneous articles

Printed Materials

Articles, Bios

2003-present (not inclusive)

These offer details about N. Cohen and about her writing appearing in magazines, newspapers and the like.

Publicity

1994-present (not inclusive)

Can include catalog pages, reviews, fliers, pamphlets, newsletters and invitations many promoting N. Cohen public appearances at various bookstores, libraries and other events.

Conference Programs

1991-2006

These include programs for Romance Writers of America, Bouchercon and Malice Domestic conferences.

Promotional Materials

1994-present (not inclusive)

Includes dust jackets, postcards and business cards for many books written by Nancy J. Cohen.

Other Media - DVDs

Career Planning (Sleuthfest session) (2004)

Malice Domestic session