Originally published by Black Sparrow Press under the editorship of John Martin, Bukowski's trusted friend and editor, these collections of letters first appeared as three volumes: Screams from the Balcony: Selected Letters 1960-1970, Living on Luck: Selected Letters 1960s-1970s and Reach for the Sun: Selected Letters 1978-1994. Virgin publish in four volumes, presenting the letters in exact chronology. These letters reveal Bukowski's everyday life, spanning from his early days working for the Post Office while struggling to get started as a poet and writer; the period during which he left this job and committed himself to his writing full-time; and on to his success and recognition later in life. We also see the private side of Bukowski: his attitude to his writing ability, his health, to women and to drinking and gambling. Each volume includes a selection of fascimile handritten and typed letters and various cartoons drawn by the author - all of which help to bring the reader closer to the real Bukowski.