This collection contains drafts of Spit in the Ocean # 7, the book that Ed McClanahan edited as a tribute to Ken Kesey, as well as papers McClanahan acquired during his research on Kesey and Spit in the Ocean. A significant portion of these materials consists of correspondence written by Kesey and associates to Doug Simon, largely focusing on the magazine Spit in the Ocean, a literary magazine of which Kesey produced six issues. Simon helped in the production of the magazine by designing some of the cover displays, and layouts. Also included is correspondence between McClanahan and contributors to Spit in the Ocean #7.

For related materials, see The Beat & Little Magazine Collection (LL SE), located in the Art Book Room. This collection follows the Beat Movement in American literature and history. It includes primary sources such as 2,300 books and pamphlets, 1,400 Beat magazines, 150 anthologies and approximately 35 broadsides and posters. This original collection was strengthened by a second gift from the Caine Foundation, the "Little Magazine" collection, which expands and compliments the Beat Collection.