This series contains the bulk of Robert L. Forward's personal and professional correspondence. Many of these records were explicitly identified as yearly correspondence files at the time of acquisition, and are in the form of letters, faxes, e-mails, and postcards. Correspondents include colleagues, science-fiction authors, students, fans, business associates, family, and others. Topics primarily pertain to Forward's professional areas of expertise, his scientific and literary careers, and extracurricular projects and programs with which he was involved, such as the Mirror Matter newsletter and The British Interplanetary Society peer-reviewed journal. The majority of post-1980 incoming correspondence contains annotations by Dr. Forward which typically indicate the nature and tenor of his replies.

Due to the papers' arrangement, much of the correspondence is related to Dr. Forward's literary contracts and negotiations, as well as freelance speaking or writing engagements.

For additional correspondence regarding Forward's business endeavors, please consult "Series 1. Official documents."

Because many folders maintain the original filing scheme of the creator, select records outside the scope of this series are included.