The file is comprised of: Early notes for dialogue, 2 leaves ; Letter to Richard Meale from Malouf, 1 leaf, 20 Jun 1979, with early dialogue notes on verso; Marked up copy of the Penguin Modern Classics 1960 published edition of Voss by Patrick White, sections of text marked in black pen, handwritten notes on last page and inside back cover.

Rehearsal notes for Voss, by Christopher Williams. Copy for David Malouf. [Note: Company notes on first performance of Voss, Adelaide, 1986, March]

Correspondence, incoming, from 1996:
1996 – 42 letters: Dymphna Clark (1); Geoffrey Dutton (1); Nin Dutton (1); Nick Enright (1); Elizabeth Jolley (1); Kate Grenville (1); David Marr (1); David Rowbotham (1); Others (34).

Correspondence, incoming, from 1997:
1997 – 31 letters: Dymphna Clark (1); Margaret Olley (31 Jan - enclosing a photograph of Malouf and Philip Bacon); Others (29)

Correspondence, incoming, from 2008-2009, undated:
2008 – 12 letters: Gail Jones (2); Others (10).

2009 – 14 letters: Ihab Hassan (2); Gail Jones (1); John Ralston Saul (1); Others (10).

2000s undated – 19 letters: Eve Duncan (1); Gail Jones (1); David Rowbotham (1); Jaya Savige (2, one is a fragment only); Others (14).

Correspondence, incoming, from 2013-2016:
2013 – 14 letters: Bruce Beresford (1); Eve Duncan (1); Ihab Hassan (4); Gail Jones (4); Others (4).

2014 – 8 letters: Eve Duncan (2); Ihab Hassan (1); Gail Jones (1); Others (4).

2015 – 9 letters: Eve Duncan (2, incl. one unsent letter from Malouf to Duncan); Ian Sinnamon (1); Others (6).

2016 – 4 letters: Eve Duncan (2); Others (2).

Nine letters, 2 telegrams and 1 envelope from George Braziller Inc., New York covering the period August 11, 1977 to February 1978. All letters with letterhead. From August 11 to November 9, 1977 letters are written by Julia Strand. From November 29, 1977 to February 21, 1978, letters are written by Barbara Barre. Included with these are two telegrams. Topics include: doubts about title, negotiations on world rights, publishing, biographical details for blurb, suggested changes, questions from copy editor, decision on title, sending galleys, discussion on book jacket.

Typescript draft of An Imaginary Life, 35 leaves (some leaves are double sided) with handwritten emendations in blue biro and pencil. Includes two drafts of the prologue. At the end of sections are handwritten numbers, possibly counting the number of words. On the final page is written 'Sydney Nov 1st 1976-Jan 7th 1977'. Accompanied by one handwritten note with ten sections and corresponding word numbers. Signed 'DM 8.3.86'.

One handwritten note 'Rejected chapers - also earlier typed versions of the book replaced by present 1st typed versions'. With rejected chapters, 26 leaves. Undated.

One page, handwritten in blue ink, with notes by the author on the original handwritten draft that accompanies it. Original first handwritten draft, 12 sheets of paper, some folded in half and written on both sides, in red and blue biro and black ink. From the accompanying note: This was usually referred to as 'Birds'; Written at Campagnatico in 1981; “Birds was originally to be a long story of some 15,000-20,000 words; the opening of a collection which would include 'Sorrow & Secrets', 'Musica Viva' and several more.”