Dear Readers,
As I mentioned in my April 14th blog, my research for Book 5, Jacaranda Street: Gravestone Image, has begun. It will be mystery spun from some aspect of American writer Edgar Allan Poe’s life but set in present day California. He is arguably best known for his poem “The Raven” (1845).
I hope you’ll agree that Poe was a fascinating person despite–or because of–suffering an early death (1809 – 1849). Here are three of thirteen facts*:
- Poe was a Literary Trailblazer– We tend to remember what some call his “haunting poems” and “tales of terror,” but did you know that Poe is credited with being one of the earliest short story writer, the father of the modern detective story, and an innovator of the SciFi genre?
- He was Prolific– He wrote enough poems to fill a book by age nine, which weren’t published; in addition, Poe’s works include short stories, more poems, a novel, a textbook, a book of scientific theory, and numerous essays and book review.
- He Created a New Profession– Poe is considered America’s first well-known professional writer (and thus, starving artist); he eked out his living as America’s first great literary critic and theoretician.
*According to Melissa Breyer
So, readers, get a clue. I will share other interesting facts about Poe in some of my upcoming Thursday blogs as we anticipate Book 5. I hope you’ll be inspired to read or reread some of the works of this very mysterious and, in the opinion of others and myself, misunderstood genius.
