The Marvin H. Neel Papers are organized into four series by material type.

Series I: Biographical Information contains resources about Neel, including a photocopy of an article (1952) and memorial service announcement and copy of a euglogy given by Jim Presgraves (1978). Items in this series are organized alphabetically by folder title.

Series II: Business Ephemera includes items created by Neel during the operation of The Backwood Press. This includes advertisements, letterhead (used professionally and as a sample), and examples of printing and typeset. Materials in this series are not dated, but likely date from the period the press was active (about 1933-1969). This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

Series III: Correspondence contains seven folders of letters to, from, and about Neel. It includes letters and postcards documenting 23 years of correspondence with J. J. Lankes, with whom Neel collaborated on published works, but never meet in person (1951-1974); letters written to Jim Presgraves, his friend and a Wytheville bookseller (1972-1978); letters from F. F. Thomas, Jr. (1955); letters about Neel and his business; and a letter to W. D. Taylor, Sherwood Anderson scholar. This series is arranged in folders by correspondent.

Series IV: Printing, Writings, & Woodcuts consists primarily of copies and photocopies of essays and poems by Neel, but also contains an announcement for a book, copies of some publications printed by the Backwoods Press, and two woodcuts printed by Neel (and likely designed by J. J. Lankes). Items date from 1933 to about 1977, shortly before Neel died. This series is arranged alphabetically by folder title.

See also the "Separated Materials" note below for publications including writings by Neel which have been removed from the collection and cataloged for the Special Collections Rare Book Collection.