Manuscripts for People of Darkness (1980)

For this work, Tony Hillerman produced four primary manuscripts, and a variety of partial manuscripts and draft pages. The archival collection also contains several sets of pre-production page proofs, which show the print layout of the first edition. These have been omitted from the online version of the collection, but are available for inspection at the Center for Southwest Research. There is also a small amount of correspondence between Hillerman and his editor at Harper Collins, which provides additional background on the creative development of People of Darkness.

     People of Darkness, Draft, p.1-267. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F01)

This manuscript appears to be the earliest existing draft of People of Darkness. It has been heavily edited and modified by the author.

     People of Darkness, Assorted Draft Pages. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F02)

This appears to be a further reworking of the initial draft manuscript. The pages are heavily edited and there is ongoing evidence of significant revision of the story....

     People of Darkness, Assorted Draft Pages. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F03)

This third draft begins to seem more polished and the story more structured, however it still bears evidence of heavy correction and reworking.

     People of Darkness, Manuscript, p.1-279. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F04)

This is a mature draft of People of Darkness which bears only a few editing and correction marks. This version is neatly typed on New Mexico Bond paper.

     People of Darkness, Revised Manuscript. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F05)

This version of the manuscript is well structured and fairly free of editing marks, but the pages have been renumbered after typing, and the chapter numbers have been...

     People of Darkness, Edited Manuscript. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F06)

This is the final edited manuscript for People of Darkness - it has been heavily edited.

     People of Darkness, Page Proofs. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F07)

This is a galley proof of the novel that shows layout and formatting of the first edition of the work. The proofs are not available online, but may be studied in person at...

     People of Darkness, Page Proofs and Print Sample. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F08)

This is a master set proof that clearly shows the layout and formatting of the first edition publication. It is not available online but may be viewed in person at the Center...

     People of Darkness, Page Proofs and One Signature of Blue Line. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F09)

This proof is not available online, but may be viewed in person at the Center for Southwest Research.

     Correspondence Relating to People of Darkness. (MSS 501 BC / B03-F10)

There are four letters between Hillerman and his Harper Collins editor regarding
People of Darkness. In them, the two discuss revisions and changes to the story. These...