McCain
Library and Archives, University
Libraries, University of
Southern Mississippi
The collection contains correspondence,
typescripts, page proofs, galleys, and blues for many of R. R.
Knudson's books. The materials are arranged alphabetically by
title and within each title in the order in which they were
probably created. Correspondence that dealt specifically with a
title was arranged with the title, while other letters were
arranged by date within the "alphabetical file" series.
The correspondence includes letters from publishers, her
publicist, editors, friends, and fans. The "alphabetical
file" also contains a photograph of Ms. Knudson and some
other miscellaneous materials. Ms. Knudson is probably most known
for her stories about Zan Hagen and her best friend Arthur
Rinehart. All five typescripts are represented in the collection.
Suzanne "Zan" Hagen is introduced in Ms. Knudson's first
book, Zanballer (1972) where Zan starts a girls' football
team after the gymnasium collapses and the basketball team can no
longer practice. In Zanbanger (1977), Zan gets kicked off
the basketball team and petitions to a court to be on the boys'
team. In addition to the typescript, correspondence, proofs, and a
work schedule are in the collection. After injuring her shoulder
during baseball season, Zan must quit playing. Her friend Rinehart
develops a running program for her in Zanboomer (1978).
There are also correspondence and proofs for this title. In 1984,
Ms. Knudson reunites the two friends in Rinehart Lifts. In
the story, Zan encourages Rinehart to lift weights and succeed at
a new sport. Richard Egielski was chosen to illustrate the book
and photocopies of the illustrations are included in the
collection. However, the book was published without illustrations,
although the dust jacket illustration was used. There are also
page proofs and correspondence for this title. In Zan Hagen's
Marathon (1984) Rinehart talks Zan into running in the Olympic
marathon. Along with the typescript, there is also a work
schedule, research materials, a book proposal, galleys and
correspondence...
Biographical Info:
Rozanne Knudson was born June 1, 1932 in
Washington, D. C. She received a bachelor's degree from Brigham
Young University in 1954, a master's degree from the University of
Georgia in 1955, and a Ph. D. from Stanford University in 1967.
She has been both a high school teacher and an assistant professor
in English. She acts as a visiting professor for many universities
during the summer and also speaks at conferences all over the
country. Ms. Knudson is most noted for her interest in sports
literature. She is currently the executor of the literary estate
of children's poet May Swenson. She writes under the name R. R.
Knudson, and is nicknamed "Zan", like the character in
many of her books...
May
Swenson : A Poet's Life in Photos 
