Please Continue: Literary Correspondence as Conversation

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In Summary

The letters in this exhibit span a century of English literature, from the 1880s to the 1980s, and each one was sent with the hope that it would bring a response in return, continuing the conversation. Because the fiction writers and poets who wrote this correspondence were all devoted to the craft of writing, their missives are works of art in themselves, albeit more personal and playful than their published volumes had the freedom to be. Each author’s epistles express personality not only through the chosen text, but also through paper color, handwriting, choice of writing utensil, and the many other physical details required to complete and mail a letter. The messages also hint at the lives on the receiving end of the correspondence, prompting us to imagine responses to the questions asked, praises doled out, and affections expressed.

Bonus: [Letter from Katherine Anne Porter to Andrew Lytle]

Andrew Lytle graduated from Vanderbilt in 1925 and went on to found the creative writing program at the University of Florida in 1948. He invited several writers, including Katherine Anne Porter, to read at the university during his time there. In this letter, Porter describes her complicated travel arrangements and asks Lytle for an advance to cover the costs.

Title	[Letter from Katherine Anne Porter to Andrew Lytle]
Creator	Katherine Anne Porter
Date	March 30, 1952
Source	Andrew Lytle Papers