TASK DEFINITION: You will be given a trivia clue, and the category it belongs to. You should answer with the best answer that belongs in the category and is described by the clue. For simplicity, answers should be in all lower cased letters.
PROBLEM: Category: 20th CENTURY AUTHORS 
Clue: Ayn Rand once cited this late Mike Hammer author as her favorite popular writer

SOLUTION: mickey spillane

PROBLEM: Category: EDGAR ALLAN POE 
Clue: In 1835's "The Unparalleled Adventure of One Hans Pfaall", Hans balloons 231,920 miles to this place

SOLUTION: the moon

PROBLEM: Category: THE BIG "O" 
Clue: Captain Beefheart is said to have a range of 4.5 of these

SOLUTION:
octaves