The papers document Auer's efforts as a writer, particularly his work as a playwright. Papers relating to his journalistic career consist of publicity files, which reveal network and studio publicity techniques, and fragmentary AASFE records Auer apparently accumulated while involved with that group. Little evidence of his own newspaper writings is included. The collection has been organized in four series: General Correspondence, Writings, Newspaper Files, and American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors.
GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE consists of personal and business letters. Early correspondence is almost exclusively personal from family and friends. The later correspondence contains letters from readers and includes fan mail and letters of appreciation. Included in the series are copies of two letters from August Derleth (December 13 and December 16, 1965) in which he complained that The Capital Times censored his newspaper column. Miscellany, which contains an Attic Theatre newsletter and editing notes, has been filed with this series.
WRITINGS consist of drafts of his plays and stories plus notes and notebooks which contain his jottings. Among these are his two produced plays, The City of Light and Tell It to Angela. An earlier version of the latter play, “Angela Knows,” is also included.
The NEWSPAPER FILE consists of motion picture and television publicity material, miscellaneous general press releases, and book reviews that Auer received during the 1960's and early 1970's. One issue of the Sunday Post-Crescent Magazine, which contains an article by Auer, is also included. The motion picture publicity files include press releases, summaries, biographies, and announcements about films such as The Americanization of Emily, Cheyenne Autumn, Diamond Head, The Great Race, The Night of the Iguana, Spencer's Mountain, and 36 Hours. The files are particularly revealing about the publicity methods used by major studios including Embassy Pictures, MGM, United Artists, Universal, Walt Disney, and Warner Brothers. The majority of the television files document ABC publicity for the 1963/64 and 1967/68 through 1970/71 seasons and contain publicity for both regular series and various sports, news, and movie specials. A folder of general publicity from the other two networks is also included. Two folders of general press releases from the Sun-Times Daily News Syndicate, Publishers Newspaper Syndicate, and the Chicago Daily News Service and a folder of book reviews from the Chicago Daily News Service are indicative of the types of stories and reviews these services generated.
THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF SUNDAY AND FEATURE EDITORS series consist of fragmentary files which Auer collected while serving as an officer of that organization. Included are constitutions; correspondence; lists; newsletters; and financial, meeting, and membership files. The series documents efforts to plan conventions, collect dues, and solicit membership. Included in the correspondence are letters (September 1970) in which the contents of several newspapers' feature sections are critiqued as part of an exchange program AASFE sponsored.
