The fonds consists of correspondence; manuscripts of plays, short stories, novels and poetry; newspaper articles; essays in German and English; plus photographs and negatives.

The fonds consists of incoming and outgoing correspondence between Beardsley and various friends, fellow writers, and acquaintances (1967-2017). Also includes manuscripts and transcripts of poems, short stories, essays, as well as handwritten brainstorming notes written on hotel paper pads and airplane bags. Includes book reviews for the Times Colonist, correspondence and work regarding the Al Purdy-Doug Beardsley Papers collaborative work. Also includes handwritten journals kept by Beardsley from approximately 1969-2017. Additionally includes brochures and ephemera collected while travelling for inspiration, and material for a manuscript about Samuel de Champlain.