One leaf, handwritten in blue ink, with notes by author on rewritten chapters. Rewritten chapters in second typescript draft, 16 leaves, 1981? Chapter 8 becomes chapter 9 in final manuscript. Chapters 10 and 15 also renumbered in final draft. With handwritten corrections in blue ink, handwritten page numbers in bottom left -hand corners.

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.”

One leaf, handwritten in blue ink, with notes by the author on the draft that accompanies it. Rewritten first draft of 'Birds' story, 21 numbered pages. According to the accompanying note: "Rewritten in Brisbane between March and early May 1981….contains the new material to be added, a second draft of the latter half of the book and notes made for background from a history of the 41st Battalion, Queensland".

One handwritten note by author: 'Original typescript for afterword (unused). Later rewritten for programme note for the ballet, then for a piece on North Queensland in the Griffith Review.’ Accompanied by the draft, which has handwritten emendations in pen and pencil, thirteen leaves are original typescript, 7 leaves are photocopies, all 20 leaves hand numbered from 124 to 139.

Eustace, a short story, was first published in 1982 with the novella Child's Play and short story The Prowler. Further editions were published in 1983 and 1999, and Eustace was included in Malouf’s The Complete Stories published in 2007. There are two typescript drafts in this subseries. The first is an early typescript draft, 10 leaves, extensive handwritten emendations, word count on last page, and undated. The second is a typescript draft, 21 leaves, including the title page, handwritten emendations, word count on last page, and undated.

The central figure of Harland’s Half Acre, Frank Harland, is another study of the artist-figure which continues to intrigue Malouf. Partly structured like Johnno and An Imaginary Life around two opposite individuals, the novel returns to the lush, exotic world of Queensland with a chronological narrative covering several decades. From his youth Harland is obsessed with the need to reclaim his family’s lost inheritance, the pastoral land with the nostalgic name Killarney. The dream turns sour when tragedy intervenes but Harland grows to understand that he has created another unexpected but more real legacy in his art. Harland’s Half Acre was first published in 1984. This subseries consists of two notebooks of 200 pages each with background material, notes and drafts, correspondence, various typescript drafts with handwritten corrections and additions, and a complete typescript of the finished novel.

One Upim notebook of 200 pages with handwritten notes on structure of novel, character details and draft of Harland's Half Acre, handwritten in red, blue and black ink. Writing is reversed or written in both directions in the notebook. Handwritten notes on sheet inserted into notebook.

Handwritten letter (2 double sided pages) from Nora Smallwood to author with editorial suggestions attached (3 leaves).

Ephemera relating to awards won by Malouf.
Comprises flyers for:
1982 winner The Age Book of the Year Award — Book of the Year - Fly Away Peter.
1988 Programme for the Inaugural Pascall Prize: Australian 'Critic of the Year', won by David Malouf.
2004 Certificate of Appreciation to David Malouf, Winner of the 2004 One Book One Brisbane Reading Campaign.
2010 winner International Awards — John D. Criticos Prize. Awarded to David Malouf for his novel Ransom.
2010 shortlisted Prime Minister's Literary Awards — Fiction - for Ransom.
2010 Australian Literature Society Gold Medal ... presented to David Malouf for his novel Ransom.
2010 shortlisted New South Wales Premier's Literary Awards — Christina Stead Prize for Fiction - for Ransom.
2011 shortlisted International Awards — International IMPAC Dublin Literary Award - for Ransom.

Original typescript and photocopied typescript draft of Harland's Half Acre, handwritten emendations, white-out corrections and cut and paste inserts (attached with sticky tape, now degrading).