Archive Notes: Octavia Butler's Papers at the Huntington Library

A special preview for paid subscribers

Greetings from California! This is the first installment of “Archive Notes” — a sneak peek into the archives I’m visiting and a preview of notes that will feature in an upcoming post.

This special edition is for paid subscribers. It is my way of saying “thank you” for funding my research. I had already planned a trip to see a friend in Los Angeles, and I really wanted to see Butler’s papers (located a 30-minute drive away from her apartment). So, I used proceeds from paid subscriptions to rent a car and spend a few days in San Marino, California at the Huntington Library. It is one of the nicest archives I’ve ever visited—and not just because of the lovely gardens surrounding it.

The Huntington Library

Octavia Butler’s notes astounded me. Seriously, I started texting friends while in the reading room to tell them: “Butler’s notes are my new favorite!” I was expecting a lot, and they exceeded those expectations. Her notes are raw, vulnerable, incisive, inspirational, and extensive.

If you’re not a paid subscriber, don’t worry: my full write-up on Butler’s notes will be entirely free!

Just about to enter the library on my first day at the Huntington

Some of my Favorite Notes from Butler’s Archive

The Huntington generously allowed me to take pictures. And now I have over a thousand images on my computer! Here is a small selection of my favorites.