The bulk of the collection is comprised of drafts of Margaret Maron's mystery novels, seven of which are set in North Carolina and eight in New York City, and related correspondence, clippings, notes, and other items. The amount and kind of material varies for each book. For some, there is only one draft; for others, there are several versions, which may range from rough draft through page proofs. For most of the books, there are correspondence and other materials as well as drafts--clippings and notes reflecting background research, timetables, sketches or diagrams are included for some books. There is also a draft of one of Maron's short stories.

In addition, the collection contains files on talks or readings Maron gave, book signings, publicity tours, and similar events. The diverse materials in these files may include the text of her talk, correspondence, pictures, notes, programs, or other items. Also included are VHS tapes, audio cassettes, and compact discs of interviews, talks, and readings by Maron between 1990 and 2010.

The novel originally titled Picture Them Dead was published as Corpus Christmas.

Send Me Word of All Our Neighbors... was a dramatic reading compiled and written by Margaret Maron in 1976 for the celebration of the Smithfield Bicentennial. Written under the auspices of the Johnston County Arts Council, Send Me Word of all Our Neighbors... was based on letters and other documents that revealed the lives of ordinary Johnston County, N.C., citizens.