One-page working plan, 17 Mar 1980, together with newspaper article Come sono lontani da Bakunin questi burocrati del terrorismo from La Nazione, which in Malouf’s words ‘was the spur’

One leaf, handwritten in blue ink, with details of accompanying typescript. First typescript draft, written in Brisbane in April 1981, handwritten emendations in blue ink, hand written numbering on all pages (one is missed), 105 [sic 106] leaves. Accompanied by small note about a mistake in numbering of pages numbers 3 and 4 (not counted in total number of leaves).

One leaf, handwritten in blue ink, with details of accompanying typescript. Second typescript draft, written in Brisbane in April - May 1981, handwritten emendations in red and black, handwritten numbering on all pages (one is missed), 126 [sic 127] leaves.

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.

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.”

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.