Steve Abbott Papers, 1951-1993
GLC 77
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
2014
Title: Steve Abbott Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1951-1993
Collection Identifier: GLC 77
Creator:
Abbott, Steve, 1943-1992
Physical Description:
3 cartons, 1 document case, 1 oversized box
(5.0 cubic feet)
Contributing Institution:
James C. Hormel LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library
100 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA, 94102
(415) 557-4400
info@sfpl.org
Abstract: Steve Abbott was a poet, critic, editor and novelist. He was one of the founding editors of the San Francisco bay area's poetry
newsletter
Poetry Flash, and he was the editor of the literary journal
Soup. The papers contain correspondence, subject files, works by Abbott, publications and writing by others, photographs, and
computer disks.
Physical Location: The collection is stored onsite.
Language of Materials: Collection materials are in English.
Access
The collection is available for use during San Francisco History Center hours, with photographs available during Photo Desk
hours. Collections that are stored offsite should be requested 48 hours in advance.
Publication Rights
Copyright is retained by Alysia Abbott.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Steve Abbott Papers (GLC 77), LGBTQIA Center, San Francisco Public Library.
Provenance
Donated by Kevin Killian for the Estate of Steve Abbott, February 1994. Additional material was donated by Alysia Abbott,
July 10, 2002.
Biographical note
Stephen Eugene Abbott (1943-1992) was a poet, critic, editor and novelist. He was raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, graduated from
the University of Nebraska, and attended Emory University. He married Barbara Binder in February 1969, and came out publicly
later that year. Their daughter, Alysia, was born in December 1970. In August 1973, Barbara was killed in an automobile accident.
In 1974, Steve and Alysia moved to San Francisco, where Steve became involved with the literary scene. His friends included
Allen Ginsberg, Aaron Shurin, and Robert Gluck, among others. Abbott was one of the founding editors of the San Francisco
bay area's poetry newsletter
Poetry Flash, and he was the editor of the literary journal
Soup. He was a respected critic and the first to use the term "new narrative" to describe the work of Bruce Boone and Robert Gluck.
Abbott was a frequent contributor to
The Advocate,
The Sentinel, and the
Bay Area Reporter. He organized the Left/Write conference in 1981.
Steve Abbott died of complications due to AIDS on December 2, 1992. His novel
The Lizard Club was published posthumously. In 2013, W.W. Norton and Company published Alysia Abbott's
Fairyland: a Memoir of My Father (New York). The memoir draws in part from Steve Abbott's journals which are retained by his daughter. Her website www.steveabbott.org
contains a wealth of interesting archival material.
Scope and Contents
The collection contains a good representation of Abbott's written work and artwork. It also includes correspondence, drawings,
flyers, subject files, newspaper clippings and photographs. Some subjects include his trial related to conscientious objector
status, his participation in school governments and political groups, and his teaching.
Arrangement
Arranged into 6 series: Series 1. Correspondence; Series 2. Subject Files; Series 3. Works by Abbott; Series 4. Publications
and Writing by Others; Series 5. Photographs; and, Series 6. Computer disks.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Abbott, Steve, 1943-1992--Archives
American poetry--20th century
Gay poetry--United States
Poets--California--San Francisco
Series 1
Correspondence,
1966-1992
Physical Description:
52.0 folders
Scope and Contents
The series includes some letters to family members, friends, poets and writers, and publishers. Of particular interest are
the letters to his wife Barbara which includes an illustrated letter written to their daughter Alysia. Notable correspondents
include Dennis Cooper, Aaron Shurin, and Allen Ginsberg.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Abbott, Alysia. See Box 1 / Folder 1. Abbott, Barbara; and See Box 1 / Folder 21. Galas, Diamanda.
Box 1, Folder 1
[Abbott], Barbara (wife),
[1973], undated
General note
Photocopies of letters. Includes illustrated letter for Alysia: "What Daddy Is Doing."
Box 1, Folder 2
[Abbott], David (brother),
May 30, 1991
Box 1, Folder 3
[Abbott, Gene] (father),
1976
Box 1, Folder 7
Bautista, Paul,
1988, undated
Box 1, Folder 10
Bob (includes photograph),
1969
Box 1, Folder 11
Burroughs, William [S.],
1984, 1989
Box 1, Folder 13
Christopher Street,
1976-1977
General note
Regarding cartoon submissions.
Box 1, Folder 14
City Lights Booksellers & Publishers,
[1987?]
Box 1, Folder 16
Coffman, Robert E. [Homocore request],
1992
Box 1, Folder 17
Cooper, Dennis,
1981-1990
Box 1, Folder 18
The Crossing Press,
1988-1989
General note
Includes contracts for: Frederick Schultz (Sam D'Allesandro)
Collected Stories; Kevin Killian
Shy, A Novel; Steve Abbott
Holy Terror, A Novel.
Box 1, Folder 19
[Epstein, Ronald ?],
1989
General note
Contains photocopy of Philip Gambone's review of Kevin Killian's book
Shy.
Box 1, Folder 20
[Ferstl], Amy [regarding Jin Shin healing],
July 8, 1991
Box 1, Folder 21
[Galas], Diamanda to Alysia [Abbott],
undated
Box 1, Folder 22
Gay Artists and Writers Kollective Writers' Workshop (W.L. Warner),
1990
Box 1, Folder 23
Ginsberg, Allen [interview],
1976
Box 1, Folder 25
Goldberg, Natalie,
[1985?]
Box 1, Folder 26
Harris, Marie (
A Gift of Tongues),
1987
Box 1, Folder 27
International Biographical Centre,
1987
Box 1, Folder 28
John and Frank [photocopies],
[1972?]
General note
Regarding relationship between John and Abbott.
Box 1, Folder 29
Kerouac-Parker, Frankie "Edie,"
1983
Box 1, Folder 34
Notley, Alice,
[1992], undated
Box 1, Folder 38
Quignard, Pascal (includes photograph),
1991
Languages represented: Some in French.
Box 1, Folder 39
San Francisco State University,
1990
Box 1, Folder 43
[Stambolian], George,
1985-1986
Box 1, Folder 48
[Weltner], Peter,
undated
Box 1, Folder 50
White, Frederick C.,
1976
Box 1, Folder 51
[Willkie], Phil (
James White Review),
1986
Box 1, Folder 52
W[ilson], P[eter] L[amborn],
1991-1992
Series 2
Subject Files,
1951-1993
Physical Description:
28.0 folders
3.0 oversized folders
Scope and Contents
The series contains materials gathered about and documenting Abbott's different interests. Of note are the conscientious objector
materials and clippings, reviews of some of Abbott's published work, Abbott's posters and publicity for readings, his notes
on the OutWrite conference in 1991, and the CFDP white paper. In addition, there are syllabi for classes Abbott taught, and
resumes and bibliographies.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Box 1, Folder 53
Address for Larry,
undated
Box 1, Folder 54
Astrology clippings,
1976
Box 1, Folder 55
Atlas computer macro materials,
undated
Box 1, Folder 56
Birthday party invitation (34th),
[1977?]
Box 1, Folder 57
CFDP White Paper #2 [Campus Freedom Democratic Party],
[1966?]
Box 1, Folder 58, Box 5, Oversize-folder 1
Clippings and newspapers,
1951-1993, undated
General note
Includes clippings in Abbott's election to student government at Emory University, the draft, Abbott's trial for refusing
to be inducted into the armed forces, Allen Ginsberg, Sam D'Allesandro, and gay liberation. The oversized folder contains:
"Gay Implies Change and Openness" (
Asbury Park Press), August 22, 1971;
San Francisco Odalisque (San Francisco), vol. 1, no. 10 (December 16, 1976);
Gay Sunshine, no. 32 (Spring 1977); "Power Language and Gay Love" by Mark Schoofs (
San Francisco Sentinel), June 26, 1987;
San Francisco Chronicle. Bay Area section, December 11, 1993
Box 1, Folder 59
Comic books,
1990-1991
General note
Includes: Spider-Man "Torment" (part 4 of 5); Keith Laumer's Retief #4 (Adventure Comics); and, GrimJack Casefiles, vol. 1
(no. 4) by John Ostrander and Timothy Truman.
Box 1, Folder 60
Conscientious Objector material,
1969-1970
Related materials
Researchers are encouraged to see also Box ? / Folder ? Clippings.
General note
Includes: Appeals regarding Stephen Eugene Abbott's conviction arising out of his refusal to submit to induction into the
armed forces of the United States; and letters of support written to his parents.
Box 1, Folder 61
English Expository Writing 200 syllabus,
1986
Box 1, Folder 62
Mailing list for Steve Abbott,
[1989], undated
General note
Includes list for announcements/readings for
Holy Terror. Originally enclosed in a copy of
The Lizard Club.
Box 1, Folder 63
Notes and publishers' addresses,
[1975?, undated]
Box 1, Folder 64
Omicron Delta Kappa Society (Emory University Circle). Membership Certificate and
The Circle,
1968, Winter 1970-1971
Box 1, Folder 65
[On movie-making, class exam?],
undated
Box 1, Folder 66
OutWrite '91. National Lesbian & Gay Writers Conference. Includes notes that may not be on OutWrite,
undated
Box 1, Folder 67
People of Color Resource List,
undated
Box 5, Oversize-folder 2
Posters / Publicity,
[1990], undated
General note
Includes: "For Parks, Improvements & Property...Elect Steve Abbott" and "Benefit reading for Maitri Hospice."
Box 1, Folder 68
Posters / Publicity for readings, etc.,
1977-1980, undated
Box 1, Folder 69
Radiation and mutation articles,
1955, 1963
Box 1, Folder 70
Resume and bibliography,
[1985-1986], undated
Box 1, Folder 71, Box 5, Oversize-folder 3
Reviews of
Soup,
Lives of the Poets,
Skinny Trip to a Far Place,
View Askew, and
Holy Terror,
1983-1990
Box 1, Folder 72
Rubin, Michael (San Francisco State),
1989, undated
General note
Contains Abbott's stories with Rubin's comments: "Art and Life"; "No Trouble, No Story"; and "The Malcontent."
Box 1, Folder 73
San Francisco Poetry Festival (2nd annual) flyer,
1977
Box 1, Folder 74
Steve Abbott's Critical Writing Workshop bibliography,
undated
Box 1, Folder 76
Syllabus. Expository Writing 211,
Fall 1987
Box 1, Folder 77
Theory workshop participants,
undated
Box 1, Folder 78
University of Nebraska. Transcript, resume,
1966, undated
Box 1, Folder 79
Visa/Passport applications for trip to the Yucatan,
October 1976
Box 1, Folder 80
Wilson, S. Clay,
1963, 1982, 1986
General note
Includes: Cover of
Scrip, 1963, with illustration by Wilson; and, an exhibition catalog
S. Clay Wilson: Selected Works (New York: Museum of the Surreal and Fantastique) inscribed to Abbott.
Series 3
Works by Abbott,
1960-1992
Physical Description:
2.5 cubic feet
Scope and Contents
The series contains draft, manuscript and final printed copies of works by Abbott. His poetry, stories, essays, and books
account for the majority of the material. The several drafts of Lost Causes and The Lizard Club form the largest part of this
series. His poetry, stories and essays cover a variety of subjects from the Watts riots in Los Angeles to the future of gay
culture in the years following the AIDS crisis. Abbott's interviews with Judy Grahn and Robert Gluck appear in this series.
Of note is "The Touching Ballad of Princess Lulu Magoo," a handmade book, illustrated and written by Abbott for his daughter
Alysia. A handful of pieces concern Abbott and his family relationships. There is also some artwork in the form of cartoon/comics,
drawings, and collage.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Box 1, Folder 81
About this book (introduction),
undated
Box 1, Folder 82
Acrostic Sonnets,
undated
Art and Life. See Box 1 / Folder 72. Rubin, Michael.
Box 1, Folder 83
Atlanta People's Yellow Pages [2 copies, contains cartoons by Abbott],
1974
Box 5, Oversize-folder 4
Bars for Twilight People and Others (
Metro Magazine),
December/January 1981
Box 1, Folder 84
Beware Strangers & Isolation (poem),
undated
Box 1, Folder 85
The Big American Review, vol. 1, nos. 2, 5, 9 [some contain cartoons by Abbott],
January 12, February 2, and March 8, 1968
Box 1, Folder 86
The Big Bang Theory,
[1975?]
Box 1, Folder 87
The Big Trucker (Part 1: Chapters 1 and 2) by Dennis Dunn. Illustrated by Steve Abbott and Bill Sigfried,
1978
Box 1, Folder 88
A Bizarre Non-Valentine Card/Sci-Fi Novel for An Intriguing Guy,
1988
Box 1, Folder 89
Blood Brothers (poem),
undated
Box 1, Folder 90
Cafe Society manuscript,
1982
Box 1, Folder 91
Cafe Society: a Serial Novel by Group 4 (San Francisco) ['zine, 2 copies],
1982
Box 1, Folder 92
California Journal, 1974-1975; notes on astrology; letters to John, Darlene; drafts of Big Bang Theory of the Universe, No
Harm in Playing.
1974-1975, undated
Box 1, Folder 93
The Challenge: a Newspaper for Indians as well as for Chiefs, vol. 1, nos. 1, 4-6,
March 28, April 10, April 12, April 16, 1968
General note
Published at Emory University. Abbott was an editor-in-chief.
Box 1, Folder 94
Changes In Sexuality [former title: "Is Gay Passe?"],
[1989]
Box 1, Folder 95
[Childhood memories, also about Alysia's childhood, pages 2-4, 6],
undated
Box 1, Folder 96
[Clipped newspaper pieces],
undated
Box 1, Folder 97
Counting Streams in This Forest of Your Eyes,
1977
Box 1, Folder 98
Deadman's Song (poem),
undated
Box 1, Folder 99
Diamanda Galas: Give Me Sodomy or Give Me Death,
undated
Box 1, Folder 100
Drawings and collages,
undated
General note
Includes: "Bad Dog The Holy / Fantastic Cat / Guardian & Protector / Of the Ubiquitous / Seed / Of Life"; "Kar-MI" collage;
"Soup" collage; "Contest: What Do You Think The Characters in Thie Story Look Like?" cartoon; "Frankly Feaky Meets the Homoexual"
cartoon; Farout Woman cartoon.
Box 1, Folder 101
Dreaming of the Big Name (poem),
undated
Box 5, Oversize-folder 5
"Eros...is all, is lock and key" (
The Washington Blade),
August 5, 1988
Box 1, Folder 103
Et (Tu) M-ology? (also titled: Alpha's Bet, or, The Revenge of the Rug),
undated
Box 1, Folder 104
Eurygmous Lovers (poem) [folder title: Eurogymous Lovers],
undated
Box 1, Folder 106
The Everyday is Sunday Funnies, vol. 1, no. 2 (3 copies),
December 4, 1970
General note
Published while at Emory University by Ron Ausburn and Steve Abbott.
Box 1, Folder 107
Evil Literature and a Forgotten Classic [book review]. Fyodor Sologub's
The Petty Demon,
1983
Box 1, Folder 108
Famous Last Words ["Dear Mother"],
undated
Box 1, Folder 109
The Fantastic Dreams of Sebastian Black,
undated
Box 1, Folder 110
First-Person Perilous (in Metro),
February/March 1981
General note
Review of
Alaska by Jana Harris,
My Life by Lyn Hejinian, and
Century of Clouds by Bruce Boone.
Box 1, Folder 113
Gay Flames pamphlets (New York: Gay Liberation Front), nos. 1, 3-4, 6,
undated
Box 1, Folder 114
Gay Lit's Bad Boy [profile of Dennis Cooper],
undated
Box 1, Folder 115
Gay Men's Press profile (includes Abbott's interview notes of David Fernbach),
undated
Box 5, Oversize-folder 5
Gay Voices: "Culture(s) = Life,"
undated
Box 1, Folder 116
Gazing Into This Queer Mirror Called Life (poem),
1979, undated
Box 1, Folder 117
Genealogies [of poetry, literature, arts],
undated
Box 1, Folder 118
George Bataille article,
1988
Box 1, Folder 119
A Giant Passes (from
The Advocate) [Robert Duncan obituary with draft fragments],
[1988]
Box 1, Folder 120
Grandiose Delusions as a Form of Escape from Reality...(poem),
May 16, 1986
Box 1, Folder 121
[Typescript draft],
undated
Box 1, Folder 122
Blood Brothers [draft with pencil notes],
undated
Box 1, Folder 123
Blood Brothers: A Spiritual Autobiography,
undated
Box 1, Folder 124
[Typescript draft of] chapters 23-26,
undated
Box 1, Folder 125
[Typescript drafts with notes],
undated
Box 1, Folder 126
Review (
Kirkus Reviews),
August 15, 1989
Box 1, Folder 127
Holy Titclamps, no. 9 and supplement no. 3 [zine],
Winter 91/92, February 1992
General note
Includes: "A Delicious Digression," an excerpt from
The Lizard Club by Steve Abbott.
Related materials
Researchers are encouraged to see also the San Francisco Public Library's Little Maga/Zine Collection for additional issues.
Box 1, Folder 128
Hopeless Love (comic) "to David, by Steve,"
undated
Box 1, Folder 130
How To Forget (poem),
undated
Box 2, Folder 1
The Ideology of Pac-Man (essay),
undated
Box 2, Folder 2
In the Back of Your Mind,
[1975?]
Box 2, Folder 3
Ins and Outs, issue no. 4/5,
July 1980
Box 2, Folder 4
Interviews: Judy Grahn; Thom Gunn,
1984, undated
Box 5, Oversize-folder 6
Jacob's Angel Seen at Cafe Flore [2 copies],
1977
Box 2, Folder 5
The James White Review, vol. 5, no. 1,
Fall 1987
Box 2, Folder 7
John Karr interview,
December 1989
Box 2, Folder 8
Journal,
1988, undated
General note
Includes draft and typewritten version of "Three Poems for Paul Bacatista."
Box 2, Folder 9
Katzenjammer Whirliggigs Again,
[1982?]
General note
Originally enclosed in
Tabloid (Winter 1982).
Box 2, Folder 10
Left Write! Edited transcripts of 1981 Left Write Conference. Edited by Steve Abbott,
1982
Box 2, Folder 11
[Letter to
Daily Nebraskan regarding CFDP (Campus Freedom Democratic Party)],
[1966?]
Box 2, Folder 12
The Little English Game to See How Much You Know,
undated
General note
Mimeographed test of English grammar and usage. Includes comic: "Episode of the Unnecessary Shifts. Starring Mr. Abbott &
his modifiers."
Box 2, Folder 13
A Little Night Music [clipped newspaper piece],
undated
Box 2, Folder 14
Lives of the Poets [typescript and published versions],
1987
Box 5, Oversize-folder 7
Lives of the Poets [maquette, includes 3 photographs by John B. Davis],
1987
Box 2, Folder 18
Draft with two loose credits pages,
undated
Box 2, Folder 19
Lost Causes (unpublished novel),
1991
Box 2, Folders 20-25
[Lost Causes]. Drafts and notes,
undated
Box 2, Folder 26
[Lost Causes]. Photocopied draft,
undated
Box 2, Folder 27
[Lost Causes]. Photcopies of pages 5, 7, 70,
undated
Box 2, Folders 28-29
[Lost Causes]. Typescript draft with edits,
undated
Box 2, Folder 30
[Lost Causes]. I Corinna's Question, version #2,
undated
Box 2, Folder 31
Major Make-Believe Comics (Atlanta: Stephen Abbott),
1970
Box 2, Folder 32
The Malcontent (4 drafts),
1989, undated
See also:
Box 1 / Folder 72 Rubin, Michael.
Box 2, Folder 33
The Modern Relationship (poem),
undated
Box 2, Folder 34
the music of love [by] Steve and Alysia Abbott,
undated
Box 2, Folder 35
My family is composed of five...[photocopy],
March 25, 1960
Box 2, Folder 37
NAMES Project essay,
[1989?]
Box 2, Folder 38
Nayland Blake profile,
undated
Box 2, Folder 39
New and Selected Comicbook Poems [outline]; Afterword; Phoney/Funny (for Eddie Woods
INS & OUTS benefit reading),
1980-1981
General note
Phoney/Funny includes photo.
Box 2, Folder 40
No Harm In Playing,
[1975?]
Box 2, Folder 41
No Trouble, No Story,
undated
See also:
Box 1 / Folder 72 Rubin, Michael.
Box 2, Folder 42
Notebook with clipped images, story fragment "Locked Out," letter to John (May 1, 1975), School notes, Christmas tea invitation
to Satya, Charlie, et al.; and letter to Helga,
1975, undated
Box 2, Folder 43
Notebook with drafts of work (
Lives of the Poets),
undated
Box 2, Folder 44
Notes "after Dr. Bouwsma tea party;" on Buber's
I and Thou,
undated
Box 2, Folder 45
Notes and fragments,
undated
Box 3, Folder 1
[On childrearing and Alysia Abbott],
1976
Box 5, Oversize-folder 8
On the Significance of
Significant Others (in
San Francisco Sentinel),
May 29, 1987
General note
Abbott's review of Armistead Maupin's book.
Box 3, Folder 2
[On writing first novel],
[1970]
Box 3, Folder 3
[Paper for Emory University class],
November 5, 1962
Box 3, Folder 4
Passing Strangers (story),
undated
Box 3, Folder 5
"The Peaceful Snatch" [column in
The Daily Nebraskan],
undated
Box 3, Folder 6
Poem for Joe Mauser,
undated
Box 3, Folder 7
Poem in St. Paul,
July 2, 1986
Box 3, Folder 8
Poem to Watts District, L.A.; Poem of an epileptic student caught in Watts riot,
1965
Box 3, Folder 9
Poem written with a gold pen stolen from...,
undated
Box 3, Folder 11
Poetry and letters to Jim, John, Vincent, and Dennis,
undated
Box 5, Oversize-folder 9
Poetry Flash, no. 173,
August 1987
Box 3, Folder 12
[Poetry, notes on Stephen Clay Wilson, etc.],
undated
Box 3, Folder 13
A Psychological Basis of Prayer,
March 8
Box 3, Folder 14
Revenge of the Barbies [film script],
undated
Box 3, Folder 15
Reviews by Abbott,
1989, undated
General note
Includes:
Shy (1989) by Kevin Killian; and,
Men On Men 2: Best New Gay Fiction edited by George Stambolian.
Box 3, Folder 16
The Runes (Lincoln Southeast High School),
1962, undated
General note
High school literary / arts magazine. Includes some pieces by Abbott.
Box 3, Folder 17
Saint Jerome in his Study,
undated
Box 3, Folder 18
San Francisco's Defiant New Gay Writers (unfinished essay),
undated
Box 3, Folder 19
The Scandalous Sex Life of Wild Bill Hickock [script. Also titled: Who Killed Wild Bill Hickock & Why],
undated
Box 3, Folder 20
The Scandalous Sex Life of Wild Bill Hickock [script],
undated
General note
"Dead Wood" written above title on title page. Includes editorial notes by Abbott in pencil and ink.
Box 3, Folder 21
The Scandalous Sex Life of Wild Bill Hickock [script with music and note to "Bob"],
undated
Box 3, Folder 22
Scrip (University of Nebraska English Department),
October-November 1965, Spring
General note
Abbott was the editor. Most issues also include his writing and/or his drawings.
Box 3, Folder 23
Second Glance: Spiritual Shit,
undated
Box 3, Folder 24
Selected poetry (previously published),
undated
General note
Includes: The Reunion; It's A Strange Day Alysia Says, A Green; Hit By A Space Station; Elegy; Conversations With Aliens:
a sonnet sequence for Jack Spicer; and, pieces from Acrostic Sonnet Series.
Box 3, Folder 25
Sitting with My Friend (essay),
undated
Box 5, Oversize-folder 10
Sketchbook,
1973, undated
General note
Includes Includes: "a Bad man's memories trail him wherever he goes" [cartoon]; "wart face McMurtry smokes a stogie" [cartoon];
sketches of guns and knives; "Jim Bowie In Action" [cartoon]; "Steve Abbott's Bellylaugh Comix: an American fantasy of truely
epic proportions" [cartoon]; sketch of nude; Illustrated story (pen and pastel) "Once in the Kingdom..." about a prince and
magician (similar in appearance to "The Touching Ballad of Princess Lulu Magoo").
Box 3, Folder 26
Skinny Trip to a Far Place (2 drafts),
undated
Box 3, Folder 27
Skinny Trip to a Far Place (San Francisco: e.g.) [2 copies],
1988
Box 3, Folder 28
Soup (San Francisco) [no. 1] (2 copies),
1980
Box 3, Folder 29
Soup (San Francisco) [no. 2] and no. 3 (2 copies of each),
1981, 1983
Box 3, Folder 30
Soup rejection letter [illustrated],
undated
Spirituality and Gay Poetry; miscellaneous poetry; letters to Poetry Factory, Laura, Paul; enrollment form for Alysia to French
American Bilingual School,
1977, undated
Box 3, Folder 32
Stamp Art, no. 2 (San Francisco: William Gaglione),
[1981?]
General note
Includes signed stamp art page by Abbott.
Box 3, Folder 33
"Steve Abbott's Agenbite of Inwit" [column in
The Daily Nebraskan],
1966
Box 3, Folder 34
Stevens' Concern in 'The Course of a Particular,'
October 13, 1988
Box 3, Folder 35
Stretching the Agape Bra: poems by Steve Abbott (San Francisco: Androgyne Press),
1980
Box 3, Folder 36
A Timely Question,
November 24, 1976
Box 3, Folder 37
The Touching Ballad of Princess Lulu Magoo,
undated
Box 3, Folder 38
Transmuting Gold (San Francisco: Dancing Rock Press) [2 copies],
1978
Box 3, Folder 39
Les Tres Riches Heures de Artur Rimbaud (photostat of cartoon),
undated
Box 3, Folder 40
Trying to Hold the Fort (story),
undated
Box 3, Folder 41
TV's Kiss of Death (essay),
undated
Box 3, Folder 42
An Unedited Home Movie About John by Major Make-Believe,
undated
Box 3, Folder 43
Untitled radical story (main character Paul Buell),
undated
Box 3, Folder 44
View Askew back cover text by Bruce Boone,
undated
Box 3, Folder 45
View Askew draft with editing notes,
undated
Box 3, Folder 46, Box 5, Oversize-folder 11
View Askew materials,
1982-1988, undated
General note
Includes articles by Abbott used and/or considered for the book View Askew. The articles are photocopies, clippings, or entire
periodical issues. "Rev. Moon, Watch Out! I'm Taking Over" (
Poetry Flash, October 1982); "Rubber Stamp Art: Making Lasting Impressions"; "Ego Conciousness" [review of
Egozine]; "Second Glance: Beyond Fashion"; "Second Glance: Odd Mags"; "Second Glance: Virtue's Path"; "Toxic Shlock" (from
Soup); "Second Glance: Writing Blind"; "Second Glance: On the Streets" (
San Francisco Sentinel, October 30, 1987); "Second Glance: Robert Gluck, the Modernist" (
San Francisco Sentinel, April 17, 1987); "Second Glance: Dracula Simulacra" (
San Francisco Sentinel, February 5, 1988); "Second Glance: Spiritual Shit" (
San Francisco Sentinel, January 22, 1988); "Television & You: Flirting with the Kiss of Death" (
San Francisco Sentinel, March 20, 1987);
The Street Newspaper: A View from the Haight, issue no. 2 (June 1987);
San Francisco Sentinel, (June 5, 1987) includes "Second Glance: Screwed at the Wharf";
San Francisco Sentinel, (June 24, 1988) includes "At Ease: Will We Survive? The Challenge of Gay Culture Today."
Box 3, Folder 47
View Askew notes,
undated
Box 3, Folder 48
View Askew: Postmodern Investigations (San Francisco: Androgyne Books),
1989
Box 3, Folder 49
View Askew. Review by Andrew Rasanen (Boston:
Bay Windows),
November 15-21, 1990
Box 5, Oversize-folder 6
We All Decay...We All Die [drawing],
undated
Box 3, Folder 50
What is Correctionism (or) Sweeping our Body/Minds Clean (multiple copies),
1977
Box 3, Folder 52
Wrecked Hearts (San Francisco: Dancing Rock Press) [poems],
1978
Series 4
Publications and Writing by others,
1963-1991
Physical Description:
18.0 folders
8.0 oversized folders
Scope and Contents
The series contains publications and work by others. The earliest materials were produced by students of the University of
Nebraska, Emory University, and the Immaculate Conception Seminary (Conception, Missouri). Abbott's articles appear in several
of these student publications. Other notable works are by Kathy Acker, Dodie Bellamy, Bruce Boone, Robert Gluck, Jack Kerouac,
Bryan Monte, John Norton, and Robert Patrick.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Box 4, Folder 1
Acker, Kathy. By Cesar Vallejo (rewritten),
1978
Box 5, Oversize-folder 12
The Atlanta Journal and Constitution Magazine,
October 27, 1968
General note
Includes interview with Abbott: "College Politics and the New Left" by Margaret Shannon.
Box 4, Folder 2
Bellamy, Dodie. Days Without Someone,
undated
Box 4, Folder 3
Boone, Bruce. Toward a Gay Theory for the '80s,
1979, 1981
Box 5, Oversize-folder 13
The Daily Nebraskan, vol. 81 (no. 93),
April 7, 1966
General note
Article on Campus Freedom Democratic Party, mentions Abbott.
Box 5, Oversize-folder 13
The Daily Nebraskan, vol. 81 (no. 97),
April 22, 1966
General note
Includes ASUN candidate statement by Abbott. 2 copies.
Box 5, Oversize-folder 13
The Daily Nebraskan, vol. 81 (no. 98),
April 25, 1966
General note
Includes letter: "Abbott Backed." 2 copies.
Box 5, Oversize-folder 13
The Daily Nebraskan, vol. 90 (no. 97),
May 1, 1967
General note
Includes article: "Drath, Abbott Dispute Merits of the Draft."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 13
The Daily Nebraskan, vol. 91 (no. 21),
October 18, 1967
General note
Front page headline: "Conscientious Objector...Abbott Fights Induction Into Army."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 13
The Daily Nebraskan, vol. 91 (no. 22),
October 19, 1967
General note
Article: "Rev. Stephen--Denying CO Status 'Violation of Religious Freedom.'"
Box 5, Oversize-folder 13
The Daily Nebraskan, pages 3-4,
April 16, 1969
General note
Includes article: "Abbott to serve indefinite term for violation of draft laws."
Box 4, Folder 4
The Debbies I Have Known [story with comments by Abbott],
undated
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 49 (no. 9),
November 16, 1967
General note
Includes Abbott's article: "CIA Should Conduct Open Dialogue."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 49 (no. 26),
May 9, 1968
General note
Includes Abbott's article: "SGA Effect Hinges on Students."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 49 (no. 27),
May 16, 1968
General note
Includes articles on Abbott's initial tenure as SGA president, and article by Abbott: "Student Code Needs Affirmative Outlook."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 49 (no. 28),
May 23, 1968
General note
Includes Abbott's article: "College Demands Student Center."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 49 (no. 29),
May 30, 1968
General note
Includes photo of Abbott.
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, [vol. 50],
October 3, 1968
General note
Single page of issue includes Abbott's article: "University Awaits SDS Impact."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 50 (no. 13),
January 16, 1969
General note
Includes headline: "Lincoln Jury Convicts Abbott."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 50 (no. 15),
January 30, 1969
General note
Includes article on SGA and Abbott's article: "Times Require Renewed Idealism."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 50 (no. 20),
March 6, 1969
General note
Includes article on SGA and Abbott's article: "Abbott Opposes Misguided Revolt."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 50 (no. 22),
April 10, 1969
General note
Includes Abbott's article: "Students Tell SGA to 'Get Tough.'"
Box 5, Oversize-folder 17
The Emory Wheel, vol. 50 (no. 23),
April 17, 1969
General note
Includes article: "Abbott Determines to Appeal Court Sentence of 3 Years."
Box 5, Oversize-folder 18
The Emory Wheel, vol. 50 (nos. 1-30),
September 19, 1968-May 30, 1969
General note
Student newspaper of Emory University during the academic year that Abbott was president of the student council.
Box 4, Folder 5
A Gay Manifesto (Atlanta: Georgia Gay Liberation Front),
undated
General note
Includes: "Free At Last" (take-off on Nancy and Sluggo comic strip by "Ernest Bushwacker" [Abbott?]).
Box 4, Folder 6
Gluck, Robert. From Paths of Pain to Jewels of Glory [essay on Nayland Blake],
undated
Box 4, Folder 7
Kerouac, Jack. Dear Carolyn: Letters to Carolyn Cassady edited by Arthur and Kit Knight (California, PA: Estate of Jack Kerouac
and Carolyn Cassady),
1983
Box 5, Oversize-folder 14
Metro Magazine (San Francisco), no. 16,
October/November 1982
Box 4, Folder 8
Monte, Bryan R. The Gay Poet as Shaman: the Poetry of Robert Duncan, Aaron Shurin and Steve Abbott,
March 10, 1983
Box 4, Folder 9
Newsweek [cover story: "How Safe is Nuclear Energy?"],
April 12, 1976
Box 4, Folder 10
Norton, John. The Greening of Ireland; The Light at the End of the Bog; Vertical In Colma; Tyranny of the Masters; The Argument
in the Carpet; Meditating Nothing; The Family at Christmas; The Land of No; Mr. Love,
undated
Box 4, Folder 11
Patrick, Robert. The Golden Circle: a Fantastic Farce (New York, London: Samuel French, 1970),
1970, 1991
General note
Inscribed by Robert Patrick to Steve Abbott, March 1, 1991.
Box 5, Oversize-folder 15
Poetry Flash, no. 173,
August 1987
Box 5, Oversize-folder 7
Poetry Flash, no. 194,
May 1989
Box 5, Oversize-folder 9
The Poetry Project Newsletter (New York), no. 119,
February 1986
Box 4, Folder 12
Processed World (San Francisco), nos. 1-10,
1981-[1984?]
Box 4, Folder 13
Roy, Camille. "Bye-Bye Brunhilde" [play],
undated
Box 4, Folder 14
San Francisco Review of Books, vol. 4, no. 5,
January 1979
General note
Cover photo shows participants (Abbott included) at the San Francisco Poetry Festival (November 1978). There is a short article
about the North Beach scene under "Strictly San Francisco."
Box 4, Folder 15
The Spirit (Published monthly by the students of Immaculate Conception Seminary, Conception, Missouri), vol.2, nos. 3, 5-7; vol. 3,
no. 4,
November 1964-January 1966
Box 4, Folder 16
Stories from an Eastern Coffeehouse. Adapted by Elizabeth Retivov. (New York: Doric Publishing Co., Printed by Hedgehog Press),
1963
Box 4, Folder 17
Tabloid: a Review of Mass Culture and Everyday Life (San Francisco), nos. 5-7,
Winter 1982-Winter 1983
Box 4, Folder 18
Time [cover story: "The Bugs Are Coming"],
July 12, 1976
Box 5, Oversize-folder 16
Yellow Dog, vol. 1, no. 5,
[1968?]
General note
Cartoon newspaper with many strips by R. Crumb, et al.
Series 5
Photographs,
1980-1989, undated
Physical Description:
2.0 folders
Scope and Contents
The series includes several photographs of Abbott. It also contains photos of Irwin [Richard] Irwin, Judy Grahn, and Tobias
Sneebaum, Thom, Gunn, Bob Gluck, Dennis Cooper, Michael Hossner, and Allen Ginsberg.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by folder title.
Box 4, Folder 19
Photographs,
1980-1988, undated
General note
Includes some photos of Abbott as a young man, Abbott in front of the San Francisco Public Library's Park Branch, Thom, Gunn,
Bob Gluck, Dennis Cooper, Judy Grahn, Tobias Sneebaum, Michael Hossner, and Allen Ginsberg. Photographers include: Robert
Pruzan, Jeff Hunter, Tom Alleman, Sheree Levin, John Benedict Davis, and Stan J. Maletic. Also includes color photocopies
of four snapshots: two of Abbott, one of two children decorating a Christmas tree, one of a woman holding a baby.
Box 4, Folder 20
Photographs for
View Askew,
1988-1989, undated
General note
Includes Irwin [Richard] Irwin, Judy Grahn, and Tobias Sneebaum. One photo by Robert Pruzan, one by Robert Alleman. Also includes
a photograph of Odilon Redon's painting: Astral Head.
Box 4, Folder 21
Series 6
5-1/4-inch computer disks (5),
undated