Papers of Dennis Phillips, a Los Angeles poet who has also worked as poetry editor for the LOS ANGELES WEEKLY and as book review editor for the literary magazine SULFUR. The accession, covering the years 1971-1992, includes notebooks and typescripts for all of Phillips's literary production up to 1992. Six of his published books are represented in the accession: FRONTIER (1980), THE HERO IS NOTHING (1985), A WORLD (1989), MEANS (1991), ARENA (1991), and 20 QUESTIONS (1992). The collection also includes a small collection of correspondence to Phillips from other contemporary writers and editors. Prominent correspondents include Donald Allen, George Butterick, Clayton Eshleman, Nate Mackey, and David Trinidad, among others. The papers are arranged in two series: 1) WRITINGS and 2) CORRESPONDENCE. The accession processed in 1999 includes personal correspondence dated 1992-1998, and correspondence (1979-1980) relevant to Phillip's editorial position at the LOS ANGELES WEEKLY. Also included are annotated drafts for BOOK OF HOURS, CREDENCE, NEW, SAND, and 20 QUESTIONS; drafts of shorter, uncollected writings; and, notebooks (1990-1995). The accession is arranged in three series: 1) CORRESPONDENCE, 2) WRITINGS, and 3) MISCELLANEOUS MATERIALS.

Dennis Phillips was born in 1951. In 1973 Phillips graduated from the California Institute of the Arts, having earned his BFA degree. In 1974 he moved to New York, where he undertook a year of study in the Graduate Classics Department at New York University. In 1979-1980, Phillips taught literature and writing with the Humanities Department at Otis Parsons Art Institute, and at the same time assumed responsibilities as poetry editor at L.A. WEEKLY. His experience as editor there led to his becoming book review editor at the important magazine SULFUR. From April 1985 until July 1988, Phillips served as Director and President of Beyond Baroque, the new writing collective located in Venice, California. Phillips currently holds a position as senior instructor in the Department of Liberal Arts and Science at the Art College of Design.

14.25 linear feet (35 archives boxes, 1 oversize folder)

Publication rights are held by the creator of the collection.