From a March 1961 letter sent by Charles Bukowski to Jon Webb, the editor of The Outsider and an early champion of Bukowski’s work. Bukowski (1920–94) was the author of six novels and several poetry and short-story collections. On Writing, a collection of his letters, is out next month from Ecco.

Dear Jon:

The only way to get away from the mob is to move and rent a p. o. box, and don’t ever tell one where you’re at because one will tell the other and then they are at your door again wanting to TALK . . . about what? WHAT IS…