Vanessa Berry papers related to ‘Gentle and Fierce’, 2020-2021

MLMSS 11576

fonds

2020-2021

9663654

0.16 metres of textual material (1 box)

Vanessa Berry is a Sydney writer and artist who is inspired by urban history and memory. She is the author of Gentle and Fierce (2021), Mirror Sydney: Atlas of Reflections (2017), Ninety 9 (2013) and Strawberry Hills Forever (2007), as well as the long-running zine I Am a Camera, and a website blog Mirror Sydney. She is a regular public speaker and lectures in creative writing at Sydney University.
Reference: Library acquisition file



The original manuscripts, notes and illustrations for Vanessa Berry’s most recent book Gentle and Fierce give an insight into her writing process and development of the book; from preliminary handwritten notes compiled at a writer's residency at Bundanon in 2019, to typescript manuscript drafts and colour layout mock-ups prior to its publication in 2021. The book comprises essays recounting Vanessa‘s personal encounters with animals, both physical and figurative, in the urban environment. The essays feature places and events in the author’s life, mainly around Sydney, celebrating the meaningful connections we can have with animals even in our everyday urban lives.



Several of the manuscripts drafts include notes and annotations by fellow author Anwen Crawford and editor Ivor Indyk, Giramondo publishing, which were incorporated into the final drafts. Also included are Vanessa’s original drawings for the book, alternative colour mock-up covers (different to the final published version), and ephemera relating to the book’s launch held in late 2021. This collection adds to the Library’s holdings of Vanessa Berry’s work, and further develops the Library’s literary collections of contemporary NSW female writers.

Created by author Vanessa Berry.

Typescript manuscript drafts, layout mockups, handwritten notes and drawings by Vanessa Berry for the book ‘Gentle and Fierce', published by Giromondo in 2021.Includes handwritten notes compiled at a writer's residency at Bundanon in 2019, and several of the manuscripts drafts include notes and annotations by fellow author Anwen Crawford and editor Ivor Indyk, Giramondo publishing.

Includes:

Folder of original drawings for Gentle and Fierce

4 bound manuscript drafts;

- red cover draft

- red cover draft with index with notes by Vanessa Berry and Simon Yates

- black cover draft with notes by Vanessa Berry

- green cover draft with notes by Anwen Crawford and Vanessa Berry

3 unbound manuscripts;

- August 2020 manuscript with notes from Ivor Indyk

- April 2020 manuscript with notes by Vanessa Berry including August 12th notes on cover

- Final manuscript: essays stapled separately, organizing final order for essays

Plastic sleeve with loose notes from Bundanon writer's residency, later reflections, and

frequently used words list, cover concepts, launch ephemera, invite, postcards, and to do list

In copyright:
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales