James Oliver Rigney, Jr., papers

The collection consists of the papers of James Oliver Rigney, Jr., from 1905 to 2009. The papers document Rigney's writing career beginning with his first published novel in 1980 through the final book in the Wheel of Time series as well as his unpublished works. The collection includes biographical materials, writings, working files, correspondence, marketing and promotional materials, and audiovisual materials. A small series of biographical materials consists of photographs of book signings, assorted portraits and personal photographs, certificates and awards, and memorial materials from fans as well as published memorials, and other miscellaneous personal materials. A series of writings makes up a significant portion of the collection and consists of complete and partial typescripts with handwritten copyedits, galley proofs, book signatures, and born digital materials pertaining to Rigney's novels circa 1979 to 2009. The majority of Rigney's published works are represented in some form with the exception of Conan the Magnificent, Conan the Destroyer, Winter's Heart, and Towers of Midnight of which there is no material present. Rigney's early-unpublished works are also represented including John One-Eye, Morgan, April the 15th and his first novel Warrior of the Altaii. Of particular interest are Rigney's early notes, name lists, and story outlines that provide insight into his early creative process and development of the Wheel of Time world, its inhabitants, and the overarching storyline for the series. Also included are assorted book-publishing contracts and born digital materials consisting of an Apple 3 computer and numerous 5 1/4 inch floppy discs. Born digital materials are as yet unprocessed.

Another significant portion of the collection is a series of working files consisting of office files and hardcopies of computer files taken from Rigney's home computer. Office files relate to book production, promotion, and publicity for his novels and include clippings, bestseller lists, book tour schedules and itineraries, professional correspondence, promotional materials, interview transcripts, reviews, and cover and map art facsimiles. Hardcopies of computer files taken from Rigney's home computer consist primarily of his notes and lists for the Wheel of Time series and for The World of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time companion book. Materials include descriptions of the various races, countries, and societies of the series as well as character biographies, glossaries, definitions, and numerous lists of flora, fauna, medicines, proverbs, and other subjects related to the series. Scattered throughout is professional correspondence regarding book edits, art placement, and book promotion and production. These files and file materials were grouped as found and, when possible, file titles have also been kept.

The collection also includes a series of correspondence consisting of letters and faxes to and from literary agents and agencies, illustrators, editorial directors, and game developers on such topics as American and European book rights, book production and promotion, illustration edits for The World of Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time, promotional product designs, European book tour schedules, and speaking invitations. Also included in this series is e-mail correspondence between Rigney and author Ed Gorman regarding their respective illnesses and treatments at the Mayo Clinic and e-mails from Nancy Sliwa regarding the James O. Rigney Jr. dedication and exhibition in the Daniel Library at The Citadel.

A series of marketing and promotional materials primarily relates to the Wheel of Time series but does include a small amount of material relating to his earlier novels. Materials consist of publicity posters, jewelry, illustrations, advertising and packaging design comps, hardcover and trade paperback book covers, and other assorted marketing and promotional materials. Also included are textiles and artifacts consisting of licensed clothing and sword reproductions based on the series produced by Museum Replicas Limited.

A small series of audiovisual material consists of two televised interviews with Tom Schaad for the Arlington Community Television show Fast Forward: Contemporary Science Fiction from 1991 and 1995 and a televised interview from News Channel 8, Washington, DC, from 1994. Topics include his writing career, writing and book tour pressures, how his military experiences and various religious ideas have influenced his work, the success of the series, the popularity of the books on the burgeoning Internet, and the similarities and dissimilarities between Rigney's and Tolkien's writings. The DVD "3 Robert Jordan Interviews, 1990s" contains all interviews contained on the videocassettes.