KOONTZ, Dean R.

An archive of Koontz's earliest writings from Shippensburg State College in "The Reflector," the College Literary Magazine, including what appears to be his first, unrecorded short story [with] related material

Six issues of The Reflector, the Shippensburg State College literary magazine, of which Dean R. Koontz was the short story editor and a voluminous contributor. It should be noted that given Koontz's penchant for pseudonyms, it is not at all unlikely that some of the contributions in the magazines might be unidentified pseudonymous contributions. Condition is generally near fine or better, with flaws noted. Each issue as follows: 1] Autumn, 1965. Koontz contributes a poem ("Sing a Song of Sixpence"), an account of witnessing John Glenn's first ascent into space ("The Day"), and a short story ("Growing Pains"). This story precedes what Koontz's biographer Katherine Ramsland notes as his first published short story, "The Kittens." 2] Winter, 1965-66. This issue contains "The Kittens", a reverie or essay ("Of Childhood"), and another short story or personal episodic narrative ("This Fence"). Owner name on front wrap. 3] Spring, 1966. Koontz contributes a poem, a book review, and two short, fantasy stories, Ibsen's Dream and A Trio of Possible Futures. 4] May, 1966: Special Poetry Issue. Koontz contributes four poems. 5] Fall, 1966. Koontz contributes nine poems, and two short stories ("A Miracle is Anything" and "Some Disputed Barricade"). One staple slightly pulled. 6] Spring, 1967. Koontz is no longer listed as an editor and contributes a single poem. Slight foxing. [With] four additional issues of the magazine from 1967-68 that have no obvious Koontz contributions, but might bear further scrutiny. [With] A scrapbook from a fellow student during Koontz's tenure there, and whose report cards indicate he was in creative writing classes. The scrapbook includes dozens of candid photographs of fellow students doing student-like things: drinking beer, sleeping, canoeing, sulking, etc., but we cannot positively identify Koontz in them, although this might be a fruitful area for further research. We believe these accumulated copies of The Reflector constitute Koontz's entire literary output as a college student, and while we have -- very infrequently -- handled single issues with Koontz contributions, have never seen or heard of a run such as this being offered.

[BTC #84158]