PCL MS 112 Marcia Muller Collection

Mystery writer Marcia Muller has the distinction of being the creator of Sharon McCone, the first acclaimed contemporary female private detective to appear in a series of American crime fiction books. Since her first book, Edwin of the Iron Shoes, premiered in 1977, Marcia Muller has written over thirty novels, numerous short stories and edited (mostly with her husband author Bill Pronzini) over a dozen anthologies of mystery stories.

The collection of 27.5 cubic feet of documents dating from 1977 to the present consists of manuscripts of her novels, short stories and other writings and correspondence with her agent, publishers, other writers and her fans. Miscellaneous files and copies of interviews she has given are also included.

Marcia Muller transferred her collection to the Browne Popular Culture Library, Bowling Green State University, in February 1991. The collection has no restrictions placed on its use for scholarly purposes. Researchers are responsible for securing copyright permission when using all unpublished manuscripts and published works, whether authored by Marcia Muller, Bill Pronzini or by other writers whose works may be found in this collection. This finding aid was prepared by Eric Honneffer in December 2004.

Marcia Muller was born in Detroit, Michigan, September 28, 1944. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1966 and her Master of Arts degree in Journalism in 1971 from the University of Michigan. Between 1967 and 1969 she worked as a merchandising supervisor for Sunset Magazine in Menlo Park, California. In the early 1970's she was an interviewer in San Francisco for the University of Michigan Institute of Social Research. She was a partner at Invisible Ink in San Francisco from 1979 until 1983. Since then she has been a full-time writer. In 1991 she received the Private Eye Writers of America Shamus award. In 1993 she was given the Private Eye Writers of American Life Achievement award. The Anthony Boucher award was given to her in 1994. Since 1992 she has been married to author Bill Pronzini with whom she has collaborated on numerous writing projects.

The Marcia Muller Collection comprised of 27.5 cubic feet of manuscripts, correspondence and miscellaneous documents dates from 1977 with her first novel and continues to the present. The 19.5 cubic feet of manuscripts for her novels, short stories and other writings form the largest segment of the collection. Thanks to the completeness of the manuscripts and accompanying files, one can trace the evolution of most of her works from proposal to publication and see how characters, plot and other elements of her stories were conceived and developed. Often she will include in the files the source of inspiration for perhaps a title or a character. In fact, the news clipping that spawned the title Leave a Message for Willie is included in the collection.

The correspondence comprises 6.5 cubic feet of the collection. Due to its completeness and detail, the correspondence offers even more specific insight into how Marcia Muller has become a successful writer. Correspondence with her agent and publishers chronicles the business particulars of her projects. The general correspondence records Marcia Muller's interactions with editors, authors, fledgling writers, fans, booksellers and friends. In the correspondence one experiences the full breadth of what Muller does as an author, how she does her work, writes her books, promotes them, keeps publishing and connects with her fans and the booksellers. The interviews included in the collection are especially valuable for understanding most aspects of Muller's writing and personality. These interviews and a set of articles about the female detective phenomenon, reinforce the idea that Muller brings an original female viewpoint to her stories that has placed her among the ranks of the most highly admired and regarded women writers of mystery and crime fiction.

Those interested in researching published works by Marcia Muller, donated by her to the Browne Popular Culture Library, should access the University Libraries catalog.  

Literary Manuscripts

Novel Manuscripts

1977 to present

Arranged chronologically

Muller's manuscripts typically include the original manuscript, various corrected and edited versions and occasionally corrected galleys. Also with each title are usually book jacket designs, reviews, some catalogs, correspondence, proposal/synopsis, and notes. Beginning in 2001 the files usually include only versions of the manuscript. Accompanying files prior to 2001 offer insights into title, character and plot development for the books. The correspondence files provide additional information pertinent to specific manuscript projects. Folders do not necessarily reflect sections of the novel, but are broken into parts of four to five chapters or fifty pages or so for ease of handling.

Short Story Manuscripts

1981 to present

Arranged chronologically

Along with the short story manuscripts are often proofs, published versions, reviews and correspondence. Short story collections by Muller and anthologies that she and Bill Pronzini edited also appear in this series, often with corrected and edited versions, book jacket designs, reviews, correspondence, proposals, introductions and copies of stories by other authors for the anthologies.

Other Manuscripts

1978 to present

Arranged by type of material

Types of material include Introductions, prefaces and appreciations; articles; reviews; and other material. These can include published copies and correspondence. The reviews are often by both Muller and Bill Pronzini.

Correspondence

Correspondence

1977 to present

Arranged chronologically and then by category

Categories include Agent, Publisher, and General Correspondence. From 1977 to 1989 these categories have a span of dates. Beginning in 1990 each year is divided into the three categories with the bulk of the correspondence falling within “general.” The files within this category for other editors and other writers do have some overlap as do files for signings (often booksellers) and fan mail. The miscellaneous category often contains more personal correspondence and helpful insights into Muller's work and research methods. The correspondence richly documents Muller's development as a writer and her interactions and experiences along the way mentoring fledgling writers, supporting colleagues, actively responding and interacting with fans and adapting to new ideas, technology and such. Information pertinent to specific writing projects can be found in the correspondence - complementing what may be present or lacking in accompanying files under manuscripts. Often copies of Muller's replies to correspondence are included.

Maps, Charts, Diagrams, Graphs, Lists, Etc.

List

1991-1995

Arranged chronologically

Backlist of Muller publications

Printed Material

Certificates

1986 to present

Arranged chronologically

Certificates for awards and nominations

Clippings

1984-present (scattered)

Arranged by topic, then chronologically

Includes interviews with Muller, reviews of her work, articles about women detectives, California crime novel information, and research for Listen to the Silence and Cyanide Wells.

Photographic Material

Photographs

1998 - 1999

Miscellaneous photographs; filed before research files

Audiovisual Materials

Audiovisual Materials

1990 to present (some undated)

Arranged by format and then chronologically

Many intereviews with Muller on audiotapes, CDs and videotape.

Box Numbering System

Boxes in the Muller Collection are numbered to allow for inclusion of additional material in the future. The following abbreviations are used:

• C - Correspondence
• M - Manuscripts - novels, short story manuscripts and other manuscripts as well as Miscellaneous or Subject Files