1971-1977. Forty-one typed letters signed by Schaefer, author of the classic Western novel Shane: these letters date from the period in his life when he was receiving the Western Literature Association's Distinguished Achievement Award and yet pivoting to recast himself as a naturalist and conservationist, most notably with his book An American Bestiary. The archive begins with a brief 1967 publisher's bio of Schaefer, but the correspondence begins in 1971, when the Bestiary was still a "New Mexico Bestiary," and Schaefer had produced essays only on the pronghorn, the opossum, the shrew, and the armadillo. Shortly thereafter there is a request from Marvel Comics to produce a comic based on Shane (declined), and talk of a film version of Schaefer's children's book Stubby Pringle's Christmas (which did eventually happen). The Bestiary discussions continue with debates about form, tone, content, title, illustrations, and Schaefer's advance, throughout which Schaefer exudes enthusiasm for his lagomorphs and leporids, etc. (though he admits he "made a mistake tackling the Bats as a bunch"). In 1974, he submits a 410 page manuscript (not included), which only serves to increase the discussions about form, tone, content (regionalism), title (Beauty in the Beasts?), illustrations, etc. and now adds discussions of pronouns (the animals can't all be male). There are several pages of Schaefer defending both his vision for the book and his style choices. Biologist James Findley is brought on to vet the manuscript and write an introduction; Linda K. Powell is recruited as illustrator. During the production process, Schaefer begins "interviewing" his animals, drafting what would become Conversations with a Pocket Gopher. Schaefer's letters tend to be long and chatty, frequently with news of his writing and non-writing projects, his reading, his wife, his yard and his neighborhood. By 1977 there is also some discussion about why Bestiary did not live up to expectations: "At the very time I was getting increased critical attention to my previous work, I jumped into something completely different...The Bestiary was released in the same month during which papers about my previous work were presented at the Western Literature Association convention and Distinguished Achievement Award being given me." In addition to Schaefer's letters, the archive contains approximately 100 copies of retained letters and memos for context, in addition to several examples of printed matter related to the published book: the style sheet and manufacturing record; typescript of prelims and jacket copy; a publisher's bio of Schaefer, etc. Apart from publisher's markings on various pages; the lot is fine. [#036730] $5,000