The papers consist of letters, photographs, typescripts (with manuscript corrections) of his novels, short stories, articles, and non-fiction works, scrapbooks of reviews and other material related to his works, radio scripts, plot outlines, research materials, sketches, prints, and clippings. Some carbons and galley and page proofs are also included, as are portions of the manuscript of Gumbo Ya-Ya, which Tallant co-authored with Lyle Saxon and Edward Dreyer.

The research material consists mostly of typed copies of articles relating to voodoo, spiritualist churches, and murder cases. Also included are transcripts of interviews (conducted by other Writers' Project staff members) with African Americans of various professions (including prostitutes, cooks, and cane cutters) and a selection of songs, some described as "bawdy."

The small correspondence series includes letters to and from Tallant's publishers, along with congratulatory communications from friends, colleagues, and fans. Of special interest are: a letter from the Board of Commissioners of City Park crediting Tallant with authorship of their New Orleans City Park, the First Fifty Years and his correspondence with and application to the Julius Rosenwald Fund for a fellowship in creative writing. Additional correspondence relating to specific works is included in the scrapbooks for those works. Correspondents include John Hall Jacobs, Edwin A. Davis, Governor Robert Kennon, Harry Stephen Keeler, Lucius Beebe, Bennet Cerf, Essae Mae Culver, Dorothy Quick, Thyra Samter Winslow, Gwen Bristow, and Hobert Skidmore.

Among the photographs are views of private gardens in New Orleans, Mardi Gras and other city scenes, portraits of Tallant and of his friends (including Saxon), and reproductions of voodoo paintings. Additional photographs may be found in the scrapbooks. The papers also include several original sketches, some signed by Tallant and others, and some unsigned. There is also a small group of prints depicting miscellaneous scenes and subject matter.