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Olive Ann Burns Sparks papers

Olive Ann Burns Sparks papers

Descriptive Summary

Title: Olive Ann Burns Sparks papers
Creator: Burns, Olive Ann
Inclusive Dates: 1945-1990
Language(s): English
Extent: 5.7 Linear Feet 14 document boxes, 1 oversized folder
Collection Number: ms2776
Repository: Hargrett Library

Collection Description

Historical Note

Olive Ann Burns Sparks (1924-1990) was a journalist and author of Atlanta, Georgia. She was the wife of Andrew Horace Sparks. Her only published novel, Cold Sassy Tree, centers on Cold Sassy, a town loosely-based on Commerce, Ga. where Burns grew up.

Burns was born in Banks County and later moved to Macon where she attended Mercer University. She transferred to the University of North Carolina where she graduated with a journalism degree in 1946. She wrote as a free-lancer and columnist for the Atlanta Constitution and then for the paper's Sunday magazine, Atlanta Weekly. Burns met her husband, Andrew Sparks, while working at the magazine he edited. The Sparks had one son, John A. Sparks, and one daughter, Becky Sparks.

In 1975, Burns was diagnosed with lymphoma, which resulted in her death in 1990. Cold Sassy Tree was written as part of Burns' therapy dealing with cancer, she said, as well as the height of her career as a writer.

For more information, see the article Olive Ann Burns (1924-1990) in the New Georgia Encyclopedia.

Scope and Content

This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts of writings, clippings, and other papers, chiefly relating to Burns's novel, Cold Sassy Tree, but also relating to her career as writer for Atlanta Constitution and Atlanta Weekly.


Administrative Information

Custodial History

Gift of Mrs. Sparks's estate, 1991.

Preferred Citation

Olive Ann Burns Sparks papers, ms2776, Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia libraries.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2009 October 16.

General Notes

In part, photocopies of clippings made for conservation purposes.


Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

American literature -- Georgia.
Atlanta journal-constitution
Atlanta weekly
Authors, American -- Georgia.
Commerce (Ga.) -- Fiction.
Fiction.
Georgia -- Fiction.
Journalists -- Georgia.
Newspapers -- Georgia.
Periodicals -- Georgia.
Women authors, American -- Georgia.
Women journalists -- Georgia.

Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

1. Cold Sassy Tree files

boxfolder
11Appearances/conferences
12Autograph parties
13Bibliography-women writers
14Bulletins/catalogues
15Clippings, 1984
16Clippings, 1985
17Clippings, 1986
18Clippings, 1987-1988
19Clippings - undated
boxfolder
21Correspondence, 1984
22Correspondence, 1985
23Correspondence, 1986-1987
24Correspondence - undated
25Invitations
26Itineraries
27Jacket
28Ms., Ch. 1-2, 1975 September
29Ms., Ch. 1-3, 1976 September 10
210Ms., Ch. 1, 1976 November 17
211Ms., Ch.1, 1977 November 11
212Ms., final copy-Ch. 1-2
213Ms., Ch. 8 edited
214Ms., Ch. 8-10
215Ms., Ch. 1-3
216Ms., Ch. 10-2
217Ms., Ch. 2 & 4
218Ms., Ch. 1
219Ms., Ch. 2-3
220Ms., fragments
221Ms. typescript, pp. 1-28
222Ms. typescript, pp. 1-111, 1977
223Ms. typescript, pp. 1-164, 1977(b)
224Ms. typescript; edited, pp. 1-195
boxfolder
31Ms. typescript; edited, pp. 196-408
32Ms. typescript; edited, pp. 409-648
33Ms. author's extra, pp. 1-135
34Ms. author's extra, pp. 136-280
35Ms. author's extra, pp. 281-author's note
36Marketing material (post-publication)
37Miscellaneous
38Notes - writing (speeches, seminars)
boxfolder
41Programs
42Publicity materials
43The Radio Reader
44Ticknor & Fields, catalogues
45[Empty]
46Audio cassettes
 

2. Subject Files

boxfolder
47Atlanta Historical Society
48"Careers in journalism"
49Certificates
410Children's writing course
411Christmas speeches
412Clippings, early
413Clippings; Sun. magazine, 1945-1949
boxfolder
51Clippings; Sun. magazine, 1950
52Clippings; Sun magazine, 1951-1957
53Clippings; "Ask Amy"-magazine, 1960-1961
54Clippings; "Ask Amy"-magazine, 1965-1966 October
55Clippings; "Ask Amy"-magazine, 1966 November-1977
56Clippings; "Ask Amy"-paper, 1960-1966
57Clippings; "Ask Amy"-paper, 1967-1969
58Correspondence
59-10Correspondence-Larkin, Amy
511Dummy sheets
512Emory writing course
513Girl Scouts
514Graduation program
515Just Before Daybreak, Audrey Couloumbis: review copy
516Mercer Silhouette
517Memorial service-remarks
boxfolder
61Miscellaneous
62Notes
63Photographs
63Plaques
64Resume
65Scrapbook-"Ask Amy"
66Thamara Duren
67Trashy Book Club
68Writings: alaska
69Writings: breast-feeding
610Writings : Comparing White Supremacy...
611Writings : Cry Me Some Tears
612Writings : debs
613Writings : Ellie's First Christmas
614Writings : europe
615Writings : poem, "I Must Tell You..."
616Writings : Lickity Split
617Writings : Mary Pickford
618Writings : Oh Quit That and Come On To Bed
619Writings : We Conquered the Marines
620Writings : untitled
621Writings : untitled
oversized_folder
1BCertificates, photos, posters, songbooks, Lone Scout magazine
 

3. Addendum

box
7Correspondence, 1983-1985
box
8Correspondence, 1986-1988
box
9Correspondence, 1989-1992
box
10Cold Sassy Tree - original manuscript
box
11Cold Sassy Tree - manuscript with revisions
box
12Cold Sassy Tree - master proof
12Cold Sassy Tree - movie script, promotional materials, clippings
box
13Leaving Cold Sassy (sequel) - manuscript
Leaving Cold Sassy - manuscript with notes
box
14Biographical information, clippings