Reflecting a long and prolific literary career, this collection of Norman Mailer, assembled by collector Thomas Fiske, includes typescript drafts, playscripts, screenplays, galleys and proofs, dust jackets, posters, lobby cards, publicity, poems, sheet music, articles by and about Mailer, correspondence, interviews, campaign materials, personal papers, photographs, programs, and speeches. The collection is organized in two series: I. Works and Associated Material, 1942-1997; and II. Career-Related and Personal, 1935-2005.

The works series contains material for film, fiction and non-fiction works, plays, and other writings. Films represented are (1968), (1982), (1982), (1987), (1970), (1981), (1986), (1979), and (1967). Mailer's fiction and nonfiction works include (1966); (1979); (1942), working title for the novella (, 1944); (1997); (1991); (1971); (1959); and (1967). Two plays, and , are also present. Other writings include two published contributions, and Published excerpts and other short works are also found in numerous serials included with the collection.

Series II. Career-Related and Personal includes articles by and about Mailer, correspondence, interviews, personal papers, photographs and portraiture, and programs related to public appearances. The correspondence dates from 1946-1996. Included are Mailer's outgoing letters to Peter Arthurs, Tom Fiske, and Howard Sounes. Of particular interest is a 1946 letter to Angus Cameron, an editor at Little, Brown, concerning the editing of profanity in . A number of Mailer print and television interview transcripts are present, including the newspaper (1956), William F. Buckley, Jr. (1979), David Frost (1992), Charlie Rose (1993 and 1997), and Sean Abbott for (1997). Also present are writings by Mailer scholar and archivist, J. Michael Lennon, especially his edited volume of correspondence, (2004).

Testifying to Mailer's eclectic career, this series also contains material on Mailer's unsuccessful 1969 campaign with Jimmy Breslin for New York City municipal leadership. The programs and print material related to public appearances range from his 1943 Harvard commencement program to conferences, symposia, literary festivals, debates, readings, benefits, and events at the 92nd Street Y Poetry Center. Mailer's speeches include his acceptance speech for the 1969 National Book Award and the 1995 spring commencement address at Wilkes University.