This series consists of drafts, working files, correspondence, and other related materials to Johnson's writings. Sub-series include those for major literary works (Ark, RADI OS, The Shrubberies, To Do as Adam Did), as well as for Johnson's cookbooks, short works, and for notebooks in which Johnson kept drafts, ideas, and other thoughts that may or may not have transformed into creative work. For Johnson's posthumous works The Shrubberies, To Do as Adam Did, and the 2005 reprint of RADI OS, there is additional notes and working material from Johnson's literary executor Peter O'Leary.

This series also includes some published works that remained with the collection, as well as items removed from published works that have been cataloged separately.