Correspondence, typescript and handwritten drafts, notes, programs, photographs, research, film stills, drawings, and publicity materials document the work of A. C. H. Smith from the late 1950s through the mid-2000s. The papers are arranged into two series: I. Works, 1959-2005, undated; and II. Correspondence and Career-Related, 1958-2005, undated.

Series I., Works, is divided into two subseries: A. Books, consisting of materials related to his original and novelized works of fiction, and B. Plays and Screenplays, containing his writings for stage and screen. Both subseries are arranged alphabetically by title of work. Most of the manuscripts in this series show the progress of his writing, especially the early, heavily-edited manuscripts which are well represented. Also contained here is correspondence directly related to the publication and production of Smith's novels, plays, and screenplays, as well as letters from fans. Notable are his collaborations with playwright Tom Stoppard, with whom Smith co-wrote the play , and with Jim Henson, with whom he novelized the film . The series is rounded-out by research notes for his historically-based works such as , , and , as well as a small number of play posters.

Series II., Correspondence and Career-Related, consists of the majority of Smith's correspondence from friends and collaborators and is arranged alphabetically by the name of the correspondent. (Correspondence related to specific works and productions is interfiled in Series I.) Smith's correspondence includes letters from a variety of notable artists such as Stoppard, Jim Henson, John Boorman, Malcolm Bradbury, John Cleese, E. M. Forster, Allen Ginsberg, Michael Frayn, Patricia Highsmith, Ted Hughes, Terry Jones, John Le Carré, and others. Copies of interviews and reviews of Smith's works are also contained in this series, as well as two talks he delivered at the Ransom Center in 1994 and 2005.