The fonds consists of manuscripts and typescripts, galley and paste-ups, correspondence to editors (in particular, Frank Davey), unpublished and rejected manuscripts and printed copies of issues of "Open Letter". Correspondence and manuscripts include contributions from George Bowering, bp Nichol, Daphne Marlatt, Margaret Atwood, Gerry Gilbert, Dave McFadden, Fred Wah, Warren Tallman, Victor Coleman and others.

Series includes correspondence between Peter Buitenhuis and various friends, colleagues, and peers—including Margaret Atwood, Timothy "Tiff" Findley, Northrop Frye, Thomas Wolfe, Adrienne Clarkson, Norman Holmes Pearson, Glynn Beard, Earle Birney, Anne Cameron, Joy Kogawa, Nigel Nicolson, Peter Such, Derek Martinus, Richard Stern, Betty Lambert, and Scott Symons (see files F-242-4-0-0-1 "Correspondence", F-242-4-0-0-2 "Correspondence: II L-Z," vol 1, and F-242-4-0-0-13 Scott Symons--please note that some original documents have been removed from the files and replaced with photocopies). Series also includes records relating to Buitenhuis's personal affairs, including financial records; party arrangements; church activities; and advocacy interests and involvement. Topics documented include the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) program "Ideas," publications and manuscripts by Buitenhuis as well as other authors, Ford Maddox Ford, the Public Lending Right Commission, West Coast Energy, and Park Royal Shopping Centre.

Records primarily consist of correspondence, but also include forms, a notebook, brochures, and reports.