On this day in music history - Embers, by Helen Jane Long (2010)

Embers

by Helen Jane Long

was released on May 3, 2010.

Track list:

Embers; One Day; Finding; To Dust; What If; Mirror; Absolute; Everything; Wishes; Bells; Besides; Just.

On this day in music history - The album In Your Dreams, by Stevie Nicks (2010)

In Your Dreams

by Stevie Nicks

was released on May 3, 2010.

Track list:

Secret Love; For What It's Worth; In Your Dreams; Wide Sargasso Sea; New Orleans; Moonlight (A Vampire's Dream); Annabel Lee; Soldier's Angel; Everybody Loves You; Ghosts Are Gone; You May Be the One; Italian Summer; Cheaper Than Free (feat. Dave Stewart).

John Gardner, on writing:

Writing a novel is like heading out over the open sea in a small boat.

It helps, if you have a plan and a course laid out.

- John Gardner. 

Recommended reading - Golden Age Detective Stories

 

Golden Age Detective Stories

Edited by Otto Penzler.

Published by American Mystery Classics.
Published 2021.
Paperback.

ISBN-10: 1613162162
ISBN-13: 978-1613162163

Description:

"In addition to well-known contributors, such as Ellery Queen and Erle Stanley Gardner, Penzler presents memorable tales from the lesser-known [...] This sampler is an easy gateway to other volumes in this high-quality series." – Publishers Weekly.

"For some readers, the book will be a walk down memory lane, or a way to reconnect with writers they haven’t visited in a while; for others, it’s a wonderful introduction to some new writers―people who not only excelled at mystery fiction, but who also helped create and define the genre. The book belongs on the shelf of any true mystery fan, and in the collection of every library’s mystery section." – Booklist.

"Exemplary." – Kirkus.

The greatest detectives of the Golden Age investigate the most puzzling crimes of the era.

Sometimes, the police aren’t the best suited to solve a crime. Depending on the case, you may find that a retired magician, a schoolteacher, a Broadway producer, or a nun have the necessary skills to suss out a killer. Or, in other cases, a blind veteran, or a publisher, or a hard-drinking attorney, or a mostly-sober attorney… or, indeed, any sort of detective you could think of might be able to best the professionals when it comes to comprehending strange and puzzling murders.

At least, that’s what the authors from the Golden Age of American mystery fiction would have you think. For decades in the middle of the twentieth century, the country’s best-selling authors produced delightful tales in which all types of eccentrics used rarified knowledge to interpret confounding clues. And for even longer, in the decades that have followed, these characters have continued to entertain new audiences with every new generation that discovers them.

Edgar Award-winning anthologist Otto Penzler selects some of the greatest American short stories from era. With authors including Ellery Queen, Mary Roberts Rinehart, Cornell Woolrich, Erle Stanley Gardner, and Anthony Boucher, this collection is a treat for those who know and love this celebrated period in literary history, and a great introduction to its best writers for the uninitiated. Includes discussion guide questions for use in book clubs.

Born on this day – E. E. ‘Doc’ Smith:

 

E. E. ‘Doc’ Smith

Writer

May 2, 1890 – August 31, 1965

Credits:

Books:

Alien Realms (1980); Appointment at Bloodstar (1978); Astounding Science Fiction, November 1941 (1941); Astounding Stories, November 1937 (2008); Astounding Stories, October 1937 (1937); Black Knight of the Iron Sphere (1981); Children of the Lens (1947); Eclipsing Binaries (1983); First Lensman (1950); Galatic Patrol (1937); Getaway World (1977); Gray Lensman (1951); Lord Tedric (1978); Masters Of Space (1961); Masters of the Vortex (1960); Planet of Treachery (1981); Revolt of the Galaxy (1985); Second Stage Lensman (1953); Skylark Duquesne (1965); Skylark of Valeron (1934); Skylark Three (1930); Spacehounds of IPC (1931); Stranglers' Moon (1976); Subspace Encounter (1983); Subspace Explorers (1965); The Clockwork Traitor (1977); The Galaxy Primes (1965); The Golden Age of Science Fiction - Volume XIV (2018); The Imperial Stars (1976); The Omicron Invasion (1984); The Purity Plot (1978); The Skylark of Space (1928); The Space Pirates (1979); Triplanetary (1948); Infinite Stars (2019)Comet: Stories of Super Time and Space (2021).

Movie and television:

Lensman: Galactic Patrol (1984–1985); Lensman (1984).

Born on this day – Norma Talmadge:

 

Norma Talmadge

Actress

Producer

 May 2, 1894 – December 24, 1957

Credits:

Haunted Theaters of Hollywood (2016); Anna May Wong, Frosted Yellow Willows: Her Life, Times and Legend (2007); The Woman with the Hungry Eyes (2006); Hollywood and the Stars (1964); Screen Snapshots Series 22, No 10 (1942); Screen Snapshots Series 18, No. 12 (1939); Personality Parade (1938); Screen Snapshots Series 17, No. 1 (1937); Screen Snapshots Series 15, No. 12 (1936); Screen Snapshots Series 15, No. 12 (1936); Broadway Highlights No. 2 (1935); Thrills of Yesterday (1931); Du Barry, Woman of Passion (1930); New York Nights (1929); Show People (1928); The Woman Disputed (1928); The Dove (1927); Camille (1926); Kiki (1926); Graustark (1925); The Lady (1925); The Only Woman (1924); Secrets (1924); Screen Snapshots, Series 5, No. 1 (1924); In Hollywood with Potash and Perlmutter (1924); The Song of Love (1923); Ashes of Vengeance (1923); Within the Law (1923); The Voice from the Minaret (1923); Screen Snapshots, Series 3, No. 23 (1923); The Eternal Flame (1922); Smilin' Through (1922); Seeing Stars (1922); Screen Snapshots, Series 3, No. 15 (1922); Screen Snapshots, Series 3, No. 1 (1922); Love's Redemption (1921); The Wonderful Thing (1921); The Sign on the Door (1921); Passion Flower (1921); Screen Snapshots, Series 2, No. 14-F (1921); Screen Snapshots, Series 2, No. 9-F (1921); The Branded Woman (1920); Yes or No (1920); The Woman Gives (1920); She Loves and Lies (1920); A Daughter of Two Worlds (1920); Screen Snapshots, Series 1, No. 7 (1920); The Isle of Conquest (1919); The Way of a Woman (1919); The Probation Wife (1919); The New Moon (1919); The Heart of Wetona (1919); United States Fourth Liberty Loan Drive (1918); Liberty Loan Appeal (1918); The Forbidden City (1918); Her Only Way (1918); The Safety Curtain (1918); De Luxe Annie (1918); By Right of Purchase (1918); The Ghosts of Yesterday (1918); The Secret of the Storm Country (1917); The Moth (1917); Poppy (1917); The Law of Compensation (1917); Panthea (1917); Fifty-Fifty (1916); The Social Secretary (1916); The Devil's Needle (1916); Going Straight (1916); The Children in the House (1916); Martha's Vindication (1916); The Missing Links (1916); The Crown Prince's Double (1915); The Battle Cry of Peace (1915); Captivating Mary Carstairs (1915); The Criminal (1915); A Pillar of Flame (1915); Elsa's Brother (1915); Janet of the Chorus (1915); A Daughter's Strange Inheritance (1915); The Barrier of Faith (1915); A Daughter of Israel (1915); A Question of Clothes (1914); Sunshine and Shadows (1914); The Curing of Myra May (1914); Goodbye Summer (1914); The Mill of Life (1914); Under False Colors (1914); The Peacemaker (1914); The Loan Shark King (1914); Politics and the Press (1914); The Hidden Letters (1914); Memories in Men's Souls (1914); An Old Man's Love Story (1914); Fogg's Millions (1914); A Wayward Daughter (1914); The Right of Way (1914); Miser Murray's Wedding Present (1914); Cupid Versus Money (1914); An Old Man's Love Story (1914); Old Reliable (1914); The Sacrifice of Kathleen (1914); The Hero (1914); Iron and Steel (1914); His Little Page (1914); An Old Man's Love Story (1914); The Vavasour Ball (1914); Officer John Donovan (1914); The Honorable Algernon (1913); The Blue Rose (1913); Fanny's Conspiracy (1913); An Elopement at Home (1913); His Silver Bachelorhood (1913); Peggy's Burglar (1913); Father's Hatband (1913); The Doctor's Secret (1913); Under the Daisies; or, As a Tale That Is Told (1913); The Other Woman (1913); Extremities (1913); The Kiss of Retribution (1913); He Fell in Love with His Mother-in-Law (1913); Keeping Husbands Home (1913); The Tables Turned (1913); An Old Man's Love Story (1913); O'Hara as a Guardian Angel (1913); Solitaires (1913); Count Barber (1913); 'Arriet's Baby (1913); The Silver Cigarette Case (1913); The Midget's Revenge (1913); A Lady and Her Maid (1913); Vampire of the Desert (1913); Omens and Oracles (1913); O'Hara and the Youthful Prodigal (1913); Sleuthing (1913); Wanted, a Strong Hand (1913); Let 'Em Quarrel (1913); Getting Up a Practice (1913); Belinda the Slavey; or, Plot and Counterplot (1913); O'Hara's Godchild (1913); Just Show People (1913); Stenographer Troubles (1913); Everybody's Doing It (1913); O'Hara Helps Cupid (1913); Casey at the Bat (1913); O'Hara, Squatter and Philosopher (1912); The Model for St. John (1912); Captain Barnacle, Reformer (1912); An Old Man's Love Story (1912); Faithful Unto Death (1912); Father's Hot Toddy (1912); Bobby's Father (1912); Captain Barnacle's Waif (1912); A Fortune in a Teacup (1912); The Higher Mercy (1912); Mr. Butler Buttles (1912); The Lovesick Maidens of Cuddleton (1912); Wanted... a Grandmother (1912); The Troublesome Step-Daughters (1912); The Extension Table (1912); Fortunes of a Composer (1912); Counsel for the Defense (1912); Mrs. 'Enry 'Awkins (1912); Mrs. Carter's Necklace (1912); The First Violin (1912); Captain Barnacle's Messmates (1912); The Meeting of the Ways (1912); A Romance of Wall Street (1912); The Four Poster Pest (1911); His Last Cent (1911); Her Hero (1911); Forgotten; or, an Answered Prayer (1911); The Child Crusoes (1911); The Thumb Print (1911); The General's Daughter (1911); The Sky Pilot (1911); The Stumbling Block (1911); The Wild Cat Well (1911); A Tale of Two Cities (1911); The Household Pest (1910); In Neighboring Kingdoms (1910); A Dixie Mother (1910); Francesca da Rimini (1910); Uncle Tom's Cabin (1910); Love of Chrysanthemum (1910); A Broken Spell (1910).

Born on this day – Charlotte Armstrong:

 

Charlotte Armstrong

Writer

May 2, 1905 – July 18, 1969

Credits:

Books:

A Dram of Poison (1956); A Little Less Than Kind (1963); A Moment on the Edge (2002); Bite-Sized Offerings (2015); Catch as Catch Can / aka Walk Out on Death (1952); Child's Ploy (1984); Dream of Fair Woman (1966); Fifty Best Mysteries (2004); Golden Age Detective Stories (2021); Hanging By a Thread (1970); Hound Dunnit (1987); I See You (1966); Incident At a Corner (1957); Lay On, Mac Duff! (1942); Lemon in the Basket (1967); Magical Wishes (1986); Mask of Evil (1958); Mischief (1950); Murder Most Divine (2000); Seven Seats to the Moon (1969); Something Blue (1959); Strange Maine (1986); The Albatross (1957); The Balloon Man (1968); The Better to Eat You / aka Murder's Nest (1954); The Big Book of Female Detectives (2018); The Black-Eyed Stranger (1951); The Case of the Weird Sisters (1943); The Chocolate Cobweb (1948); The Dream Walker / aka Alibi for Murder (1955); The Gift Shop (1967); The Girl with a Secret (1959); The Innocent Flower / aka Death Filled the Glass (1945); The Mark of the Hand (1963); The Master's Choice Book 1 (1979); The One-Faced Girl (1963); The Protege (1970); The Seventeen Widows of Sans Souci (1959); The Trouble in Thor / aka And Sometimes Death (1953); The Turret Room (1965); The Unsuspected (1946); The Web She Weaves (1983); The Witch's House (1963); Who's Been Sitting in My Chair? (1962). 

Movies and television:

Aku no kamen (2001); Akujo no kamen (1980); Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1960); Climax! (1957); Don't Bother to Knock (1952); General Electric Theater (1961); Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (1955); Kage no tsume (1972); Kraft Theatre (1958); Lux Playhouse (1958); Matinee Theatre (1956); Mofuku no houmonsha (1971); Nightcap (2000); Startime (1960); Studio 57 (1954–1955); Studio One (1954); Suspense (1953); Talk About a Stranger (1952); The Breach (1970); The Chevy Mystery Show (1960); The George Sanders Mystery Theater (1957); The Pepsi-Cola Playhouse (1955); The Sitter (1991); The Three Weird Sisters (1948); The Trap (1950); The Unsuspected (1947); The Web (1951); Thriller (1960).