Cape Girardeau Writers Guild Records

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: 2010.033

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The records primarily consist of correspondence members and meeting minutes from 1943-1987. Records also include a scrapbook of newspaper clippings relating to the guild, a photograph of the guild members in 1973, pamphlets relating to guild events and donations, as well as publications created by the Guild.

This collection is separated into three series by subject matter then arranged chronologically.

Dates

Creation: 1943-1993

Rights Statement

Materials in this collection may be protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code).

Organizational Sketch

The Writers Guild was made up of local amateur writers, including faculty and students of Southeast Missouri State University. The guild held monthly meetings where they discussed the successes and failures of the members, and assisted each other’s writing. Membership required an annual dues of $300, and members were expected to submit new works regularly to the club for editing, and those works were expected to be submitted to publishers. The guild also conducting community services, such as holding writing showcases, writing competitions, and donating books on writing to the local library.

Extent

0.75 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Correspondence, meeting minutes, and other records of the Writers Guild, documenting the group’s history from the groups founding in 1943.

Provenance

The records were created and maintained by Mrs. Constance Harris. Upon her death, the estate went to Harlan Smothers, an antiques dealer. Dr. Frank Nickell, of Southeast Missouri State University, acquired the records from Mr. Smothers, and donated the records to Special Collections and Archives in January 2011.