GLAM is founded on the belief literary papers are distinct from other archives and warrant a dedicated focus. We work to preserve, promote, and support their use.
What Does ‘Literary’ Mean?
GLAM defines literary as creative writing in any genre, whether intended for publication or not. This includes:
· Poetry, Novels and fiction (including short stories, novellas)
· Prose (essays, letters by or related to literary figures)
· Drama (theatre, radio, TV, film scripts)
· Life writing (biography, autobiography, memoirs)
· Literary criticism (theoretical, practical, editing, reviewing, history)
· The publishing process (supporting the creation and distribution of literature)
What’s in a Literary Archive?
A literary archive is evidence of literary production. It might show how texts are written, revised, and published, how writers work with their peers and editors, and how texts are received over time. Literary archives may be paper based, digital or a combination of both. They can contain a wide variety of materials, including:
· Literary Manuscripts: From early notes and sketches to final drafts and annotated proofs, capturing every phase of a work’s evolution.
· Correspondence: letters, emails or messages. These may be personal, literary, cultural, or business-related (family, other writers, publishers, etc.).
· Diaries: Personal reflections or engagement diaries.
· Audio-Visual Material: Images, videos, audio-recordings across a range of formats.
· Printed Sources: Annotated books, news clippings, journals, magazines.
· Legal and Economic Records: Contracts, court documents, bank statements.
· Objects: Personal artefacts such as pens, typewriters, and writing desks.
GLAM recognizes that literature transcends language, geography, and ethnicity. While our primary focus is on English and indigenous languages of the British Isles (England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland), we also consider:
· Translated works into English
· Foreign language material held in British and Irish literary collections
GLAM’s interests span from the end of the Middle Ages to the present, with a particular focus on the modern period (19th-21st centuries).