Jeff Fields Papers Inventory (#4950)

Manuscripts Department, Library of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Contact Information:

Manuscripts Department

CB#3926, Wilson Library

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC 27514-8890

Phone: 919/962-1345

Fax: 919/962-3594

Email: mss@email.unc.edu

URL: http://www.lib.unc.edu/mss/

Processed by

James M. Roth

Date Completed

February 2000

Encoded by

James M. Roth

Descriptive Summary Including Abstract

Title

Jeff Fields Papers (#4950) 1944-1990 (bulk 1964-1980)

Creator

Fields, Jeff.

Extent

About 1200 items (7.0 linear feet)

Repository

Southern Historical Collection

Abstract

Jeff Fields (1938- ), Georgia-born novelist, television producer and host, and 1964 graduate of the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill. Fields worked in radio and television, chiefly for WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Fla., while writing his novel, A Cry of Angels (1974). The collection contains materials documenting Fields's work as a writer and in television. Included are drafts, proofs, screenplays, and other materials relating to A Cry of Angels. Also included are letters, chiefly between Fields and agents and magazine editors regarding an unpublished second book and short stories submitted for publication, and other writings by Fields, mostly class assignments from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, short stories submitted for publication, and commentaries written for WJXT-TV. There are also photographs and slides, audiotapes, films, and videotapes relating to Fields's literary work and to his work as producer and host at WJXT-TV.

Administrative Information

Access

Use of audiotapes, videotapes, or film may require the production of listening or viewing copies.

Usage Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.

Provenance

Received from Jeff Fields of Chamblee, Ga., in September 1998 (Acc. 98207).

Online Catalog Terms

Authors, American--20th century.

Fields, Jeff.

Novelists, American--20th century.

Television producers and directors--Florida.

Television programs--Florida.

Television stations--Florida.

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill--Students--History--20th century.

Biographical Note

Jeff Fields was born in Uvalda, Ga., in 1938. His parents moved from Elberton, Ga., to LaGrange, N.C. At age 14, Fields ran away from home. He worked his way through high school and college, supporting himself as an ironworker. His college career spanned eight years, attending classes one year, then working the next few. He first attended South Georgia College, then the University of Georgia. After a two-year hiatus, he finished his final two years at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, graduating in 1964. Initially, Fields studied drama, but soon turned to a major in television. In his senior year, however, Fields studied with novelist Betty Smith and became interested in writing.

After graduation, Fields worked for a year at a radio station in Anniston, Ala., after which he moved to Greenville, S.C., where he worked in radio and television for four years. Fields then took a position as producer-host for television station WJXT-TV, in Jacksonville, Fla., hosting the programs 30 Below, Cracker Barrel, and Jeff and Pat and Sunday Night.

In 1967, while in Greenville, Fields sold his first short story to McCall's magazine. His initial success sparked him to begin writing a novel. After five years of writing at night and on the weekends, Fields felt he had a final draft, and submitted it to his agent, who returned it asking for major revisions. Frustrated, Fields changed agents, made minor revisions, and, seven months later, A Cry of Angels (1974) was published. In 1975, after signing a contract with Universal Studios to write a screenplay from the novel, Fields quit his job as producer-host to concentrate on writing. Distrusting Hollywood's treatment of his book, Fields opted not to renew the movie rights. He then began writing a second novel, which has not been published. As of 1998, Fields lives in Chamblee, Ga.

Collection Overview

Chiefly materials reflecting Jeff Fields's work as a writer and in television.

Series 1 contains drafts, proofs, and screenplay s for the novel, A Cry of Angels; journals in which Fields wrote about the novel; research materials; correspondence with agents, publishers, and movie producers about the book; newspaper reviews; Fields's speeches about writing the book; research materials; fan mail; and financial records, including expense reports, legal agreements, royalty statements, and a movie contract with Universal Studios for a screenplay of the book.

Series 2 contains correspondence and other writings by Fields. Most of the correspondence is with agents and magazine editors regarding an unpublished second book and short stories submitted for publication. Included are a few letters from aspiring authors and one routine postcard from John Steinbeck. Most of the writings are class assignments from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, short stories submitted for publication, and commentaries written for television station WJXT-TV.

Series 3 contains photographs and slides, audiotapes, films, and videotapes relating to Fields's literary work and to his work as producer and host at WJXT-TV. Photographs and slides relate to WJXT-TV programs Jeff and Pat and Sunday, Cracker Barrel, 30 Below, and to special programs. There are also some publicity photographs for A Cry of Angels, and a few personal photographs. The two audiotapes are of promotional interviews with Fields about A Cry of Angels. Films and videotapes chiefly relate to Jeff and Pat and Sunday Night, Mule Train, and Cracker Barrel.

Organization of Collection

1. A Cry of Angels
1.1. Correspondence and Related Items
1.2. Writings
2. Other Papers
2.1. Correspondence
2.2. Writings
3. Audiovisual Materials
3.1. Photographs
3.2. Audiotapes
3.3. Films
3.4. Videotapes

Series Descriptions

Items Separated

Items separated include photographs (P-4950), audiotapes (T-4950/1-2), films (F-4950/1-22), and videotapes (VT-4950/1-9).

Related Collections

Betty Smith Papers (#3837)
Wesley H. Wallace Papers (#3703)