Biography

Born in Cedar Rapids, Mossman studied at Coe College for two years but finished college at the University of Iowa and completed a MA from the Writers' Workshop in 1969. His novel, The Stones of Summer, was published by Bobbs-Merrill and Popular Library in 1972.

This collection consists of papers from Mossman's academic career, early drafts of The Stones of Summer and materials related to or used in the book, and the heavily edited typescript used to typeset the published version. The papers have been left largely as foldered by Mossman, and such Mossman notes on folders as existed have been transcribed to this inventory. The papers have been placed in chronological order as best that could be determined; it is unlikely, however, that a full chronological sequence has been established, particularly for the many overlapping drafts of portions of the novel, most of which were created in a relatively brief period 1969-1971. It may be possible to further order the materials by carefully noting the author's general method of composition: a handwritten draft, typically marked up, on loose sheets, often on varied kinds of paper; the annotated draft transferred to a fair text in a note or theme book, often again annotated; then typescript, usually with carbon copies. The typescripts in some cases undergo mutliple edits and retypings.

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