Identity elements
Reference code
Level of description
Collection
Title
Kristen Britain Collection
Date(s)
- 1970-2023 (Creation)
Extent
26 boxes, and 4 items
Name of creator
Biographical history
Kristen Britain was born in Batavia, New York, and grew up in the Finger Lakes region of the state. She graduated from Ithaca College in 1987 with a degree in film production (and a minor in writing). Following graduation, Britain, inspired by a conversation she had with an National Park Service ranger at Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, NY, herself became a ranger. Over the years she worked at Clara Barton National Historic Site, Lowell NHP, Acadia NP, Mammoth Cave NP, Rocky Mountain NP, and Women’s Rights NHP.
In 1992 Britain moved to Maine, and the natural setting of Acadia National Park helped inspire and shape her fantasy writing. DAW published her first novel, Green Rider, in 1998 while Britain was still employed with the NPS. The novel tells the story of young Karigan G'ladheon, a merchant's daughter who, while running away from her home, through fate and circumstance becomes a "Green Rider", an elite messenger in the service of the king of Sacordia. The letters she finds herself delivering catapult her into a high-level political and magical conspiracy. Green Riderwas a finalist for the Compton Crook/Stephen Tall Memorial Award for Best First Novel of 1998 and for the 1998 IAFA William L. Crawford Fantasy Award. It also placed #5 in the 1999 _Locus_Poll Awards for Best First Novel.
The sequel to the novel, First Rider's Call, was released in 2003. Karigan's adventures have continued through several additional novels in the series: The High King's Tomb (2007), Blackveil (2011), Mirror Sight (2014), Firebrand (2017), and the most recent, Winterlight (2021). Blackveil was nominated for the 2012 David Gemmell Award for Best Fantasy Novel. Britain published a prequel novella, relating an early adventure of Green Rider Laren Mapstone, entitled Spirit of the Wood in 2023.
Britain has also written several pieces of short fiction, including "Avalonia" (2001), "Linked, on the Lake of Souls" (2002), and "Chafing the Bogey Man" (2008), among others. Some of her short fiction was published in the 2018 collection The Dream Gatherer.
She currently resides in Maine.
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
This collection contains materials from and about fantasy writer Britain, who is most well-known for her epic Green Rider fantasy novel cycle. Materials in the collection include manuscripts for several of the novels in the series; examples of Britain's other writings (including several information brochures she wrote for the National Park Service); correspondence to and from Britain, including items from authors Nevada Barr and Anne McCaffrey; a reference file containing copies of magazines with articles or other references relating to Britain; and assorted other materials.
System of arrangement
The collection is arranged into the following series:
- Series 1, Manuscripts
- Series 2, Other Writings
- Series 3, Correspondence
- Series 4, Reference File
- Series 5, Other Materials
- Series 6, Early Writings
- Series 7, Audiovisual Materials
Conditions of access and use elements
Conditions governing access
Before allowing researchers to use materials in Series 4, all personal addresses should be redacted, and the redacted versions provided to researchers.
Manuscript materials for the novel Winterlight and the story "Samantha vs. the Shadows in the Basement of the Captain Riddle House" should not be made available for access until their publication.
Physical access
The manuscript for Mirror Sight (2014, typescript with handwritten edits and annotations) in boxes 2-3 received some water damage during transit to Cushing. The wet pages were dried, but are consequently somewhat delicate and should be handled with care.
Technical access
The video and audio files for Britain's student films can be accessed via the Reading Room.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright is retained by the authors of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Languages of the material
- English
Scripts of the material
Language and script notes
Finding aids
Acquisition and appraisal elements
Custodial history
Immediate source of acquisition
Donation. Materials in Series 6 (Early Writings) received from Britain 9/7/2015. March 2018 Addendum received 3/2018. September 2018 Addendum (2018_0117) received 9/19/2018. March 2024 Addendum (2024_0024) received 3/11/2024.
Accruals
Related materials elements
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related archival materials
Notes element
Specialized notes
Alternative identifier(s)
Description control element
Rules or conventions
Sources used
Archivist's note
Collection processed by Jeremy Brett.
Finding aid created by Jeremy Brett.