Raymond Carver, "C" Items
"C" Items - Contributions to Periodicals
Raymond Carver began publishing in the early Sixties. His contributions to periodicals over the years were numerous: by the time of his first book, Near Klamath, his credits as listed in the back of that publication included appearances in thirteen different journals--and these did not include the writings from Concordia, the offprints of which are items "A1" and "A2" in Stull's checklist, nor his appearance in Sacramento State College's own literary journal, The Levee. Carver's magazine appearances have yet to be fully documented. This collection contains a sampling of some of the later ones in his career, and one early and rare item. We have not attempted to assign bibliographic identifying numbers for them, as there are too few, representing too small a percentage of his total output, for that to be a useful exercise. The contributions themselves, however, are interesting, in showing Carver's writing in its native element--the literary journal.
200. Five poems in The Levee. Vol. II, No. 2, January, 1967. The literary magazine of Sacramento State College. This issue contains poems by Carver, Dennis Schmitz, and other students from Sacramento State. Carver is identified as "a graduate student at SSC." Schmitz, who contributes three poems--one of which is quite long and another of which pertains to the Vietnam war--was the dedicatee of Carver's first book, Near Klamath, published the following year. This copy is signed or inscribed by Raymond Carver, Dennis Schmitz and Victoria Dalkey, another of the contributors. Carver's signature, though not dated, is indicated to have been in Sacramento. Reportedly done in an edition of about 50 copies, this is an exceptionally scarce, early Carver item--rare signed, and with an exceptional association in that it is also inscribed by the dedicatee of Near Klamath. Very good in stapled wrappers.
201. "Where is everyone?" in TriQuarterly 48. Evanston: (TriQuarterly) 1980. This issue is dedicated to "Writers of the New West" and includes, in addition to Carver, such relatively unsung luminaries (at the time) as Cormac McCarthy, Leslie Marmon Silko, Ivan Doig, Richard Ford and William Kittredge, among others. Very good in wrappers.
202. "Why Don't You Dance?" in The Paris Review, No. 79. Flushing: The Paris Review, 1981. This is the 25th Anniversary issue of The Paris Review, which also included an essay by Hemingway and a story by Faulkner. Very good in wrappers.
203. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Love" in Antaeus, No. 40/41. Tangier: Antaeus, 1981. The tenth anniversary issue of this literary magazine, which includes the title story from Carver's then-forthcoming collection. Embossed ownership stamp on the first page; modest wear, very good.
204. "John Gardner: Writer and Teacher" in The Georgia Review, Vol XXXVII, No.2. (Athens): (The Georgia Review) (1983). An essay by Carver on his friend and former teacher, that appeared as the introduction to Gardner's posthumously published book, On Becoming a Novelist (see item B22 above). This is a near fine copy in wrappers.
205. "The Art of Fiction LXXVI" and "Careful" in The Paris Review, No. 88. New York: Paris Review, 1983. This issue contains Carver's Paris Review interview ("The Art of Fiction") along with a story and photographs--of several pages of Carver's heavily corrected manuscript, and of Carver himself, taken by Tess Gallagher. Signed by Raymond Carver at his contribution. Spine cocked; moderate wear; very good.
206. -. Another copy, unsigned. Fine.
207. "Raymond Carver Speaking"(an interview) in The Akros Review, No. 8/9. Akron: University of Akron, 1984. An edited transcript of Carver's comments from a question-and-answer session in a class at the University on The American Short Story. Fine in wrappers.
208. Ploughshares, Vol. 9, No. 4. "Special Fiction Issue." (Cambridge): (Ploughshares) (1983). Carver edited this issue, although he did not contribute any writing to it. Contributors include William Kittredge, Tim O'Brien, Tobias Wolff, Tess Gallagher, Mona Simpson, Joyce Carol Oates, a.o. Fine.
209. "Dostoevsky" (a screenplay) by Raymond Carver and Tess Gallagher. In New England Review and Bread Loaf Quarterly Vol. VI, No. 3, Spring, 1984. Hanover: Kenyon Hill/Middlebury College, 1984. Contains the excerpts from their screenplay that was published in the Capra Back-to-Back series the following year, with a slightly altered introduction. Fine.
210. Comments on work-in-progress in Esquire, Vol. 102 No. 2, August 1984. In a column in which 50 writers comment on their current work-in-progress, Carver contributes lines from a poem about the late John Gardner. Front cover has a tear at corner; very good.
211. Ten Poems in The Paris Review, No. 93. (New York): (The Paris Review) (1984). Near fine in wrappers.
212. "Where he was: Memories of my Father" in Granta, No. 14. (Cambridge): Granta (1984). Carver's memoir, which was also done as an offprint for him (see above, item "A48"). Fine.
213. "Happiness," "For Tess," "Money," "My Crow" and "Grief" in Poetry Vol. CXLV, No. 5, February, 1985. (Chicago): The Modern Poetry Association, 1985. Carver's first appearance in Poetry. Fine in wrappers.
214. 21 poems in Tendril, No. 19-20. (Green Harbor): (Tendril) (1985). Seventh anniversary issue, a special double issue in which Carver is the "Feature Poet." Other contributors include Charles Baxter, Ann Beattie, Susan Dodd, Bob Shacochis, Joy Williams, and others. Fine in wrappers.
215. Four poems in Poetry, Vol. CXLVI, No. 6. (Chicago): (The Modern Poetry Association) (1985). Fine in wrappers.
216. "Intimacy" in Esquire, Vol. 106, No. 2, August 1986. This is the Esquire "Summer Fiction Issue," and includes stories by Richard Ford, Louise Erdrich, Tim O'Brien, Joy Williams, and others. Carver's story is accompanied by a "blurb" from Robert Stone: "Raymond Carver writes from the heart of contemporary America. His cadences reflect, with uncanny accuracy, the pain, confusion, and longing that afflict this country today. In his texts, all the big questions are explored in a sure, strong style that never strains. I think he is the best American short-story writer since Hemingway." Very good copy.
217. "Menudo" in Granta, No. 21. (Cambridge): (Granta) (1987). Other contributors to this issue focusing on "The Story-teller" include Richard Ford, Bruce Chatwin, Isabel Allende, Patrick Süskind, and others. Fine.
218. "The Toes" and "The Net" in Poetry, Vol. CLI, No. 1-2. (Chicago): (Modern Poetry Association) (1987). The 75th Anniversary issue of this magazine. Fine in wrappers.
219. "Fiction and America" (an interview) and "Miracle" (a poem) in Frank: An International Journal of Contemporary Writing & Art, No. 8/9. (Paris): Frank (1987). Uncommon journal that also includes writings by Hubert Selby and Sean Penn, among others. Fine in wrappers.
220. "What We Talk About When We Talk About Carver," by David Carpenter in Descant, 56/7, Vol. 18, No. 1 & 2. (Ontario): Descant (1987). Carpenter's piece, in the form of a journal of a fishing/hunting trip, includes many quotes attributed to Carver, and Carver is listed as a contributor to this issue, both on the cover and in the list of contributors in the back of the magazine. Fine in wrappers.
221. "Friendship" and "What the Doctor Said" in Granta 25. (New York): (Granta) (1988). The Autumn, 1988 issue, published just after Carver died, in August. Also includes "Raymond Carver, 1938 to 1988" by Tess Gallagher, a short reflection on Carver's death. Fine.
222. "European Journal" by Tess Gallagher in Antaeus, No. 61. Tangier: Antaeus, 1988. Recounts her experiences with Carver in Europe. Fine.
223. "Wake Up," "Another Mystery," "No Need" and "Hummingbird" in Poetry Vol.CLIV, No.1. (Chicago): (Poetry) (1989). Poems from A New Path to the Waterfall, prior to its publication. Fine.
224. [Title in Japanese]. Selections from the stories of What We Talk About When We Talk About Love, Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? and Furious Seasons. (Tokyo): (Chuokoron-Sha Inc.) (1983). Fine in fine dust jacket, with publisher's wraparound band present.
225. [Title in Japanese]. Selections from the stories of Cathedral, Fires, Will You Please Be Quiet, Please? and Esquire. (Tokyo): (Chuokoron-Sha, Inc.) (1985). Fine in fine dust jacket, with publisher's wraparound band present.
226. ...when we talk about Raymond Carver. (Layton): Gibbs Smith (1991). Conversations about, and reflections on Carver by Richard Ford, Robert Stone, William Kittredge, Geoffrey and Tobias Wolff, Jay McInerny and others. Fine in fine dust jacket.
227. -. Same title, uncorrected proof copy. Contains a piece by Tess Gallagher that doesn't appear in the published book.
228. Two-Cassette Audio Tape Set. Columbia: American Audio Prose Library (1983). AAPL produces the finest series of audiotapes in the country of contemporary American writers reading and discussing their own works. The interviews are lengthy and the questions intelligent and well-informed, allowing the authors to go into great depth reflecting on and explicating their work. The readings, too, are lengthy, and allow the work to be heard in the writer's own voice, with his/her own inflection and nuance. Carver reads "Nobody Said Anything," "A Serious Talk" and "Fat." The interview is over 50 minutes long, and focuses on the interplay between the writer's life and work, going into personal history as well as an overview of his development as a writer. An excellent set. Tapes available individually for $13.95 or as a set for: