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James W. Hall Papers, 1969-1999

 

Summary

Abstract:
The James W. Hall Papers Collection consists of printed papers, manuscripts, and correspondence. This includes rough drafts of novels, both printed from the publisher and first drafts and outlines written by Dr. Hall. There is correspondence including letters to and from publishing companies, universities, and bookstores. The majority of the collection is drafts from his published novels. The collection also includes many poems as Dr. Hall was a poet as well as a novelist. Works from Dr. Hall's novels in this collection include Under Cover of Daylight, Bones of Coral, Mean High Tide, Body Language, Miami Beach, Kentucky, Tropical Freeze, Red Sky at Night, Gone Wild, Rough Draft, and Squall Line.
Extent:
10 boxes
Language:
English

Background

Scope and content:

The James W. Hall Papers Collection consists of printed papers, manusscripts, and correspondence. This includes rough drafts of novels, both printed from the publisher and first drafts and outlines written by Dr. Hall. There is correspondence including letters to and from publishing companies, universities, and bookstores. The majority of the collection is drafts from his published novels. The collection also includes many poems as Dr. Hall was a poet as well as a novelist. Works from Dr. Hall's novels in this collection include Under Cover of Daylight, Bones of Coral, Mean High Tide, Body Language, Miami Beach, Kentucky, Tropical Freeze, Red Sky at Night, Gone Wild, Rough Draft, and Squall Line. The collection also includes the screenplay from Under Cover of Daylight and Bones of Coral, along with collections of poems and short stories called Paper Products. The majority of papers in this collection was written/published between the 1980s and 1990s, including the novels. The collection is sectioned by boxes, each including contenets from a certain novel.

Biographical / historical:

Dr. James W. Hall was born in 1947 in Kentucky. In the early 1980s he moved from Miami to Key Largo as he was enthralled by the Keys. Thus he used the Keys as the backdrop for most of his novels. While there he worked part-time in a local bait shop while teaching during the week at Florida International Unviersity in Miami, where he taught literature and creative writing for 40 years and founded the school's creative writing program in the early 1970s. He has a master's degree in creative writing from Johns Hopkins University and a doctorate in literature from the University of Utah. He was a Fulbright professor of literature in Spain. Hall began his career as a poet. He is a crime and mystery novelist and his work includes 23 novels, 4 poetry books, short stories, and essays. He has won awards for his work including the Edgar Award for Best Short Story and Shamus Award for Best P. I. Hardcover Novel. Notable works include Under Cover of Daylight, Bones of Coral, Mean High Tide, Body Language, Tropical Freeze, Red Sky at Night, Gone Wild, and Rough Draft. Most of Hall's work was published between the 80s, 90s, and early 2000s, and two of his novels, Under Cover of Daylight and Bones of Coral have been written into screenplay. Hall's Thorn series include a character inspired by the tough, independent Keys people he grew up knowing in Key Largo and Key West, and is a character in 16 novels. In his words they are "pioneers, Americans at heart, resourceful, and trustworthy".

Acquisition information:
Dr. James W. Hall donated his papers to Special Collections at Florida International University.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Copyright restrictions may apply. No part of the materials protected by copyright may be reproduced or utilized in any form, electronic or mechanical, without written permission from the copyright holder. Researchers are required to seek permission from the copyright holder to reproduce and/or publish materials, in accordance with United States copyright law.

Location of this collection:
Florida International University
11200 SW 8th Street
Miami
FL
33199
USA