Margaret Goff Clark Papers

The collection contains typescripts, galleys and proofs for 23 titles and 7 short stories. The materials are arranged alphabetically by title. Within each title the materials are arranged in the probable order in which they were created. The correspondence is separated by title, with the exception of personal correspondence and fan mail. The collection is divided into four major categories, correspondence, biographical materials, books, and short stories.

The Correspondence Series includes letters from magazine publishers, agents, and editors. There is also correspondence with schools and libraries, as well as the de Grummond Collection and other authors. There are also 82 items of fan mail spanning almost 30 years. The biographical materials include typescripts of poems entitled "Myself," talks to librarians, biographical information for Gale Research, and press releases. There are also photographs, newspaper articles, and sound recordings.

The books in the collection are subdivided into four major categories, mysteries, informational nature books, biographies, and general fiction. Most of the collection is comprised of twelve mystery stories. There are typescripts, galleys and proofs for all of these titles. Death at Their Heels (1975) is about Denny and his older stepbrother, who take a camping trip to Algonquin Park in Canada, unaware they are fleeing from a murderer. In Mystery of the Missing Stamps (1967), Mark's friend is accused of stealing valuable stamps and he determined to prove his innocence. Rising flood waters and the disappearance of a valuable wampum belt start Susan's summer of volunteer work at the Fort Pitt Museum in the Mystery of the Flooded Museum (1967).

Ms. Clark's later books are about endangered species in Florida, where she and her husband spent their winters. There are typescripts and extensive research materials for all of these titles. The Threatened Florida Black Bear (1995), one of the three books in the collection published by Cobblehill Books, is part of this series. There are also books in the collection on the Florida panther and the manatee.

There are also biographies in the collection, including John Muir, Friend of Nature (1974), a biography of the naturalist who wrote many stories about his travels and experiences with nature. There is correspondence, research materials, and typescripts for this title. There are also typescripts for Their Eyes on the Stars: Four Black Writers (1973). This biography details the lives of four black writers, Jupiter Hammon, George Moses Horton, William Wells Brown, and Charles Chesnutt.

The last category includes general fiction stories such as Who Stole Kathy Young? (1980), the story of a kidnapping. There are typescripts, blues and proofs for this title. There are also three books in the collection about Barney, a foster child, who meets a space boy and has adventures in space. There are typescripts, galleys and proofs for Barney and the UFO (1979), Barney in Space (1981), and Barney on Mars (1981). The collection also contains typescripts for seven short stories for magazine publication circa 1962, including "Brothers," "The Chief," "Donna Teaches," "Family Girl," and "Joe and I." There are also publisher's promotional materials, lesson plans, educational materials, and conference materials in the collection.