John Fergus Ryan remarks upon the Esquire piece about Cormac McCarthy that he revised. He had also inquired as to whether Cormac McCarthy would be willing to put his name on Ryan’s The Redneck Bride dust jacket.

John Fergus Ryan talks about the piece he wrote about Cormac McCarthy and submitted to Esquire magazine. Ryan wishes for McCarthy to write him a reference letter for the Guggenheim Fellowship and to put McCarthy’s name on the dust jacket of his novel, The Redneck Bride.

John Fergus Ryan speaks of failure in acquiring a publisher for his piece on Cormac McCarthy’s life and works.

Response to the July 1982 letter, explaining the reasons why John Fergus Ryan made the mistake of allowing Cormac McCarthy’s name on the dust jacket of Ryan’s novel, The Redneck Bride.

John Fergus Ryan details the news on his novel The Redneck Bride and sends word that a new dust jacket for the book is being shipped to Cormac McCarthy.

John Fergus Ryan discusses his hopes for a film adaptation for his published novel, The Redneck Bride. Ryan updates McCarthy on their mutual friend John Sheddan and his daily life with his wife, Carla.

Response to April 4, 1976 letter about staying in touch with John Fergus Ryan, a fellow author. Cormac McCarthy mentions that he had heard of John Fergus Ryan before from a friend.

Cormac McCarthy discusses the atmosphere of Knoxville and how he plans to leave for Mexico, while his wife, Anne, is away in England. McCarthy also discusses John Sheddan, a unique person known to both writers.

Response to April 25, 1977 letter about John Fergus Ryan’s literary success and a possible rendezvous with each other. McCarthy opens with a crude joke about being busy. Cormac McCarthy tells a story about when he visited Key West with some friends.

Cormac McCarty chats about John Fergus Ryan’s visit to Key West and his reading of Ryan’s short stories. McCarthy goes on to discuss their mutual friend John Sheddan and his infamous exploits.

Response to March 26, 1978 letter about Key West and an author named John Rechy. McCarthy describes the latest news on their mutual friend, John Sheddan before expressing that McCarthy’s writing career has taken a pause. Cormac McCarthy ends with agreeing to use his name as a reference for the Guggenheim Fellowship.

Cormac McCarthy briefly relays his sympathies about John Fergus Ryan not achieving the Guggenheim Fellowship and expresses his inspiration for writing from Henry Miller. McCarthy squashes the rumor of him living in New Orleans and provides an address in Franklin, TN.

Response to May 28, 1979 letter about the chances of John Fergus Ryan and his main competitor for the recognition, Henry Miller, for winning the Guggenheim Fellowship. McCarthy also comments on John Fergus Ryan’s attempts at publishing before relaying his plans on moving to a new city.

Cormac McCarthy jokes to John Fergus Ryan about his writing career and then proceeds to talk about his travels to Lexington, KY. McCarthy admits he has gained the financial assistance of the Lyndhurst Foundation in Chattanooga, TN for continuing to write.

Response to January 12, 1980 letter about their mutual friend, John Sheddan. McCarthy also asks what John Fergus Ryan’s trip to Florida was like and the many writers he had met while there.

Response to February 19, 1980 letter about the writers John Fergus Ryan met while he was in Florida. Cormac McCarthy offers his thoughts on the nature of fellow writer Nikki Giovanni. McCarthy also updates Ryan on their mutual friend John Sheddan. In closing, Cormac McCarthy talks about moving to Europe and finishing his current literary pursuit by the end of the year.

Cormac McCarthy shares accounts of his current living conditions in Santa Fe, New Mexico and of his final revisions of his book. McCarthy also shares stories of their mutual friend John Sheddan and how he came to achieve a job.

Cormac McCarthy apologizes about his late response. McCarthy comments on the condition of their mutual friend, John Sheddan, who has recently found himself in jail. He questions John Fergus Ryan about his ongoing work and their shared love of TOSCA.

Cormac McCarthy apologizes for his late reply to John Fergus Ryan’s previous sent letters. He discusses their mutual friend John Sheddan with enthusiasm. McCarthy extends his congratulations for John Fergus Ryan’s debut of his novel and Ryan’s wife Carla’s performance in the Halloween race.

Cormac McCarthy responds to a series of letters that John Fergus Ryan had sent him. McCarthy expresses his disappointment at the literary work of Ryan that was dismissed by Esquire. He also warns John Fergus Ryan that his name should not be mentioned or quoted for endorsement of anything and he apologizes in advance for any hurt feelings because of this. Cormac McCarthy also talks of how he spends his time out in the western United States.