The Karyn Witmer-Gow Papers
Descriptive Summary
Title: The Karyn Witmer-Gow Papers
Dates: ca. 1978-2006
Creator: Karyn Witmer-Gow (1947-present)
Language: English
Abstract: This collection consists of the documents of the romantic novelist Karyn Witmer-Gow, who also wrote under the pen names Elizabeth Kary, Elizabeth Grayson and Karen Witmer.  Chronicling her career as a writer, these documents contain significant information regarding the editorial and publication process from the submission of original manuscripts to the final galley proofs.
Collection Number: M-334
Size: 8 linear feet
Location: Special Collections                                                                                  			          St. Louis Mercantile Library at UM-St. Louis 							  Thomas Jefferson Library Building 								         One University Boulevard 									            St. Louis, Missouri 63121 
Biographical Note: Karyn Witmer-Gow is an author of romantic novels.  Originally from Niagara Falls, New York, she earned an education degree from State University College in Geneseo, Mississippi and a master’s degree from Nazareth College in Rochester, New York.  Returning home, she worked twelve years as an Art teacher in a local high school until she relocated to St. Louis with her husband.  Interested in writing from a young age, she completed her first historical novel at the age of fifteen.
Living and working in St. Louis, she published twelve books under the pen names Elizabeth Kary, Elizabeth Grayson, and Karen Witmer between 1985 and 2006. Published in 1986, her second book, Love, Honor, and Betray, garnered her critical acclaim and launched her career as an eminent romance novelist. In 2005, her eleventh book, Moon in the Water, was a finalist for the Romance writers RITA award and the Willa Cather Literary Award.
Situating her novels in the historical past, Witmer is known for her thoroughly researched and accurate depictions of historical settings, places, and events.  Utilizing the archives at the St. Louis Mercantile Library, she crafted romances that took place during the War of 1812, the Civil War, and the settlement of the American frontier.  Of significant local interest, her novel Let No Man Divide was situated in St. Louis during the Civil War, and another novel, Bride of the Wilderness, was situated in Ste. Genevieve in 1774.
She continues to live and work from her home in Webster Groves, Missouri.
Scope and Content Note: The collection contains the documents of Karyn Witmer-Gow.  In total, there are fourteen series divided into eight boxes.  With the exception of series fourteen, each series includes the documents related to the publishing of one book.  Titled for the book contained within the particular series, each series consists primarily of manuscripts, galley proofs, and published monographs in translation.  In addition to these, the series may house a folder containing documents related to the book.  In general, the related documents are contracts, correspondence between the editor, agent, and author, publicity materials, cover designs, and editorial remarks. Presumably, because it was never published, series thirteen, This Far Kentucky, contains a manuscript but no related documents.  As noted, series fourteen contains personal documents and materials not related to the publishing of a single book.   
Restrictions:
Access Restrictions:  Some of the material in Special Collection M-331 may be photocopied, digitally scanned or photographed, subject to condition.						            Copyright Information:  The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply. 
Citation: When citing material from this collection, the preferred citation is: From the Special Collections of the St. Louis Mercantile Library at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Subject Headings:
Historical Fiction, American
Love Stories, American
Witmer, Karyn
Contents List: 

       Series #		Series Name	Box #	Item Description
	1	A Place Called Home	5	Galley Proof
	1	A Place Called Home	5	Related Documents
	1	A Place Called Home	5	2 spiral bound notebooks containing 
	"planning notes"
	1	A Place Called Home	6	Monograph: 2 copies of the German 
	translation
	2	A Simple Gift	7	Related Documents
	2	A Simple Gift	8	1 spiral bound notebook containing 
	"planning notes"
	2	A Simple Gift	8	Typed Manuscript
	2	A Simple Gift	8	Typed Revised Manuscript
	2	A Simple Gift	8	Advanced Reading Copy
	2	A Simple Gift	8	Promotional Coffee Mug
	2	A Simple Gift	8	Note cards: scene by scene
	2	A Simple Gift	8	Galley Proof
	3	Bride of the Wilderness	4	Related Materials
	3	Bride of the Wilderness	4	Typed Manuscript
	3	Bride of the Wilderness	4	Galley Proof
	4	Color of the Wind	6	Monograph: 4 copies of the Danish 
	translation
	4	Color of the Wind	6	Typed Manuscript
	4	Color of the Wind	6	Galley Proof
	4	Color of the Wind	6	2 spiral bound notebooks containing 
	"planning notes"
	4	Color of the Wind	6	Related Documents
	5	From This Day Onward	4	Audio Version by Braille Productions 
	on Cassette Tapes
	5	From This Day Onward	3	Galley Proof
	5	From This Day Onward	3	Typed Manuscript
	5	From This Day Onward	3	Related Documents
	5	From This Day Onward	3	Monograph: 2 copies of the German 
	translation
	6	Let No Man Divide	3	Typed Manuscript
	6	Let No Man Divide	3	Monograph: 2 copies of the Norwegian
	 Translation
	6	Let No Man Divide	3	Related Documents
	6	Let No Man Divide	3	Galley Proof
	6	Let No Man Divide	3	Monograph: 2 copies of the German 
	Translation
	7	Love, Honor, and Betray	2	Galley Proof
	7	Love, Honor, and Betray	2	Typed Manuscript
	7	Love, Honor, and Betray	2	Related Documents - British Version
	7	Love, Honor, and Betray	2	Contracts
	7	Love, Honor, and Betray	2	Monograph: 2 copies of the German 
	translation
	7	Love, Honor, and Betray	1	Handwritten Manuscript
	7	Love, Honor, and Betray	2	Related Documents
	
	7	Love, Honor, and Betray	2	Early Submission to Zebra Books 
	containing a synopsis and sample 
	chapter
	8	Midnight Lace	4	Related Documents
	8	Midnight Lace	4	Typed Manuscript
	8	Midnight Lace	4	Galley Proof
	8	Midnight Lace	4	Monograph: 2 copies of the German 
	translation
	9	Moon in the Water	7	Galley Proof
	9	Moon in the Water	7	Monograph: 2 copies of the Swedish 
	translation
	9	Moon in the Water	7	Monograph: 2 copies of the Spanish 
	translation
	9	Moon in the Water	6	1 spiral bound notebook containing 
	'planning notes"
	9	Moon in the Water	7	Typed Manuscript: Revision 2
	9	Moon in the Water	7	Typed Manuscript: Revision 1
	9	Moon in the Water	7	Original Typed Manuscript
	9	Moon in the Water	6	Related Materials
	9	Moon in the Water	7	Monograph: 2 copies of the Danish 
	translation
	10	Painted by the Sun	6	Related Documents
	10	Painted by the Sun	6	Monograph: 2 copies of the Danish 
	translation
	10	Painted by the Sun	6	Galley Proof
	10	Painted by the Sun	6	Typed Manuscript
	11	Portrait of a Lady	1	Related Documents
	11	Portrait of a Lady	1	Monograph: 2 copies of the Swedish 
	translation
	11	Portrait of a Lady	1	Monograph: 2 copies of the Greek 
	Translation
	11	Portrait of a Lady	1	Manuscript
	12	So Wide the Sky	5	Typed Manuscript
	12	So Wide the Sky	5	Related Documents
	12	So Wide the Sky	5	Galley Proof
	12	So Wide the Sky	5	Monographs: 2 copies of the Danish 
	Translation
	
	12	So Wide the Sky	5	2 spiral bound notebooks containing 
	"planning notes"
	13	This Far Kentucky	5	Typed Manuscript
	14	Related Documents	8	2 VHS tapes titled: "Topics, etc..." #87
	14	Related Documents	8	Newspaper Clippings
	14	Related Documents	8	Scrapbook
	14	Related Documents	8	Fan Mail

	14	Related Documents	8	Monograph: "Love Lines: The Romance 
	Reader's guide to Printed Pleasures" 
	by Rosemary Guiley
	14	Related Documents	8	Monograph: "The Romance Revolution:
	 Erotic Novels for Women and the 
	Quest for a New Sexual Identity" by 
	Carol Thurston
	14	Related Documents	8	Monograph: "Dangerous Men and 
	Adventurous Women: Romance Writes 
	on the Appeal of Romance" ed. By 
	Jayne Ann Krentz
	14	Related Documents	8	Monograph: "How to Write a Romance 
	and Get Published" by Kathryn Falk