Johnno is Malouf’s most outwardly autobiographical novel and has been much praised as a realistic presentation of wartime Brisbane. It traces the childhood and early adult life of the narrator, and his relationship with the school rebel Johnno until Johnno’s untimely death. It was first published in 1975. This series includes two typescripts (both carbon copies) of the original manuscript version of Johnno. The earlier copy has extensive handwritten reworking by Malouf and uses the name “Johnny” throughout. In the later copy is again reworked and the author has manually changed “Johnny” to “Johnno.” There are significant textural alterations, cuts and additions, between these two drafts. Earlier drafts of the manuscript are held in the National Library of Australia collection and the top copy is held in the Fryer Library University of Queensland Press Archive. These typescripts provide a valuable link between the two. Published in 1975 by University of Queensland Press.

'Jane or The Bride of Thornfield' (Jane Eyre), typescript, 18 leaves, a few emendations. [David Malouf’s 2017 note: First draft, 1996/8. Performed Cheltenham Festival. Toured London, Canberra, St Louis, USA.]. With associated letter by Malouf to Michael Berkeley. Accompanied by the published libretto, Jane Eyre, from cover 'A libretto by David Malouf for an opera by Michael Berkeley', 27 pages, published by Vintage in 2000.

Comprises two drafts of Invocation to Earth by Diana Blom. Libretto by David Malouf.

Handwritten note by Malouf on contents of this subseries. Typescript note, originally intended as preface to 12 Edmonstone Street (1 leaf, typescript, handwritten emendations). Handwritten and typescript drafts, some incomplete, of 12 Edmonstone Street, handwritten emendations, white-out corrections, and cut and paste inserts (attached with sticky tape, now degrading).

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'.

Typescript, handwritten emendations, white-out corrections, and and cut and paste inserts (attached with sticky tape). Undated. Accompanied by handwritten cover note by author: Version of stories from Antipodes, my own typing: early / late drafts".

Typescript, handwritten emendations, and white-out corrections. Undated. Pages numbered in top right-hand corner. Accompanied by handwritten cover note by author: Version of stories from Antipodes, my own typing: early / late drafts".

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.

Handwritten drafts of The Great World, 140 pages on white four-ring notepaper and 31 pages on green notepaper, handwritten in blue ink and black biro, with many corrections and additions. Some pages have page numbers in top right-hand corner.

Manuscript, version 1, A5 size paper, [ca. 100 leaves], mostly on the back of other typescripts and draft (?) letters