PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 14, 2025

 Have submitted my COMIC BOOK HORROR ANTHOLOGY STORIES. The contest doesn't end until July 31 so it probably won't be until sometime in August at the earliest that I hear something on the subject, thus I have returned to working on SHERLOCK HOLMES: "The Adventure of the Shakespearean Folly".

Still haven't heard any more news on that PENDING MAJOR DEVELOPMENT, but for those of you able to celebrate today...

Lee Houston, Junior

15 June, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 7, 2025

 It's hard to believe that the year is almost half over and the weather is just now getting decent enough for me to wear both a short sleeve T-shirt and a pair of shorts. Normally I'd already be in Spring/Summer attire by the first week of May at the latest, but this year has been really weird weather wise.

Anyway...

The first of two COMIC BOOK CONTEST ENTRIES is done and I'm working feverishly to complete the second before the Submissions Box opens June 13.

Considering that's a Friday, sounds appropriate for a horror anthology, don't you think?

In any event, after the stories are done and submitted, then I will be returning to SHERLOCK HOLMES and THE ADVENTURE OF THE SHAKESPEAREAN FOLLY unless something else comes up between now and then, but I still haven't heard any new developments on that MAJOR EVENT PENDING as I post this.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

8 June, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 31, 2025

 I paused to remember writer Peter David and did not post a PROGRESS REPORT last weekend. So there is a bit of catching up to do.

Before the memorial post, I did work on my SHERLOCK HOLMES story but while I am more than a third through the manuscript, I haven't reached the halfway point on it yet because I paused working on that to come up with an entry for a HORROR ANTHOLOGY COMIC BOOK SHORT STORY CONTEST.

I am kicking a couple of ideas around. One of the two I've already written and the other is still in progress.

Which of the two or both (if the rules allow it) I'll submit remains to be seen because the submission door doesn't even open until June 13, which happens to be a Friday this year. Hmmm...

Anyway, Horror isn't really my genre; but if it's one thing I've always wanted to do, it's write for a comic book company.

Unfortunately, the closest I've ever come to realizing that goal is editing the independently produced RAYE KNIGHT: SPELLBOUND for my friend Victoria Pagac.

The rest of the time I've always wound up at start up ventures that never get past the "Wouldn't it be nice if..." stage.

All I can do is produce the best short story possible within 8 pages (maximum) of a comic book and hope for the best.

And for those interested, all has been quiet on the MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PENDING front.

In any event, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

1 June, 2025

REMEMBERING WRITER PETER DAVID

 Writer Peter David is no longer with us.😢

I have no photographs or convention stories to share.

The only times I was ever in actual communication with the man was exchanging a few posts on his blog and contributing Part 78: And Now For Something Completely Different to his Potato Moon round robin.

However, I was "there" when he discussed his struggles trying to lose weight, for that is a battle I have been fighting too since puberty; and I was also "there" as Peter publicly posted about his life, divorce, second marriage and the birth of their daughter either through the blog or his But I Digress column in the pages of the late, lamented Comics Buyers' Guide.

But above all, like many others, I was a major fan of his writing, both in comics and prose.

His wit, well timed and carefully placed even in dire story situations, was always funny.

Who else, in the middle of a Star Trek adventure, could make a reference to a "receding hare line"?

I still would have loved to see Peter tackle Howard the Duck, but David said that was one headache (an issue he never expanded upon and I never pressed) he didn't need.

Yet Aquaman, Supergirl, Young Justice, the Hulk, Spider-man, X-Factor and many more all benefited from his talents.

His wife Kathleen and his daughters have my deepest condolences.

Lee Houston, Junior

25 May, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 17, 2025

Basil Rathbone & Nigel Bruce as
Sherlock Holmes & Doctor Watson.

 Writing/work is proceeding apace on my SHERLOCK HOLMES story: "THE ADVENTURE OF THE
SHAKESPEAREAN FOLLY", but as I said while creating my previous Holmes stories—"The Adventure of the Artful Forger" and "The Adventure of the Unimaginable"—in my humble opinion it takes time (and patience) to craft a mystery worthy of the great Victorian Era Consulting Detective.

Then again, time hasn't really been on my side much lately with all the errands and chores I have to tackle on a regular basis as an ordinary human being when I'm not trying to write.

Things still get done, but on the whole I'd rather be writing than tackling laundry, dirty dishes, cleaning the kitty litter box, etc.

Dirty jobs, but somebody has to do them.

Considering the entire household staff—for want of a better term—is just me, myself and I...

And there are still no new developments concerning that OTHER MATTER at the moment so when I finish my Holmes story, I will either be able to turn my full attention to address that or go on to something else.

In any event, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

18 May, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 10, 2025

 It has been real busy on the personal front lately, especially today, but I am back to working on SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE ADVENTURE OF THE SHAKESPEAREAN FOLLY.

Ron Fortier of Airship 27 and other endeavors is out of the hospital after his cancer surgery.

I'm sure everyone wishes him a speedy recovery.

And in regards to that OTHER MATTER, all I can say is that I've been told an estimate as to when a formal statement will be posted to the public but still can't take any official action until then.

The only thing left is to wish everyone who can celebrate today a

and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

11 May, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 3, 2025

 I FINALLY FINISHED PROOFREADING SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA!

The final word count was 59,956. Up 411 words from when I began.

The only delay now is Ron Fortier of Airship 27 wants me to wait on sending it to him until after his Cancer Surgery on May 9.

Considering he's already shared information about this on Facebook, the Airship 27 Flight Log and other places, it's not like I'm revealing some deep dark secret that is supposed to remain private and I'm sure everyone reading these words joins me in wishing Ron good luck and a speedy recovery.

So now to pick up where I left off on the SHERLOCK HOLMES mystery I was working on when I decided trying to bounce back and forth between HOLMES and SOLITAIRE wasn't working and focused just on the lady until that was completed.

The story has gained a (working) title, "The Adventure of the Shakespearean Folly", but I'm only somewhere between a quarter and a third of the way through completing the first draft of that manuscript.

I'm going to have to reread everything I already have and take it from there.

As for that OTHER MATTER I've been eluding to over the last few Progress Reports, until an official public announcement is made by the other party involved I can't go into any greater detail than I already have.

But if you follow the recent Internet comments of a few of my fellow writers carefully, you'll know I'm not alone in the current situation.

In any event, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

4 May, 2025 (MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU! 😏)

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 26, 2025

 While I unfortunately didn't get more than a couple of paragraphs proofread on SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA
since my last Progress Report😢, that is because I have been dealing with a major new development within the writing side of my life.

Alas, I cannot share any details with you at this time because no official announcement has been made public yet. However I can say that what is going on behind the scenes at the moment affects a lot of my past creative catalog and its future.

Wish I could say more but, other than hopefully completing the S2 editing this week, I have to keep silent on the matter while I try to get things worked out to deal with the repercussions of the situation.

In any event, take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

27 April, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 19, 2025

 Only 3 chapters left before I finally finish proofreading SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA! 😀

And depending upon how you choose to celebrate today HAPPY/HOPPY EASTER!

Lee Houston, Junior

20 April, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 12, 2025

 Only got another chapter of SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA proofread this past week, but at least this time it wasn't all life's interruptions and other things at fault.

I got some writing news that I will be able to share with everyone in time.

Just not right now.

This new development does mean that I will have to rethink my writing schedule beyond completing the proofreading on SOLITAIRE 2 and finishing that SHERLOCK HOLMES story I was also trying to create when I decided to concentrate my full creative energies on S2 because of all the previous interruptions trying to bounce back and forth between the two.

But in any event I better get back to it now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE.

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

13 April, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL5, 2025

 Only managed to proofread another chapter of SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA this past week, but I've been as busy as a bee🐝 on other matters.

Passed my latest Cardiologist visit April 2. As much as I like my doctor, unfortunately those are practically all day affairs because it's about a 35 mile drive one way just to see him.

Housework, laundry and a lot of other stuff came up which postponed my weekly grocery hunting trip—a term I first coined during the original COVID😷 period this country experienced because of all the empty shelves and long lines in stores—to yesterday.

And on top of all of this, there may be another writing project in my future after I finish proofreading SOLITAIRE 2 and creating that SHERLOCK HOLMES adventure I'm in the middle of, but it's too soon to tell.

In any event I better get back to it now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

6 April, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 29, 2025

 I've made it to Chapter 23 of 34 proofreading SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA. Even with all the revisions, additions and other changes I'm still a hair under the 60,000 word mark but it's the quality of the work not the quantity that matters most.

I've also been thinking about my future projects past SOLITAIRE 2.

Next will definitely be finishing that SHERLOCK HOLMES story I was working on concurrently until I decided to concentrate entirely on SOLITAIRE 2 when I had the writing time available.

Beyond that?

At some point I will obviously start working on what will eventually become SOLITAIRE 3, no subtitle at the present time.

There's always ZEPHYR LILY to get back to but horror/fantasy adventure takes time to get "just right" without being cliche or repetitive of everything else out there in that genre.

I still have that SCI FI NOVEL I wrote whose manuscript needs another review before I consider sending it to any potential publisher

AND I've been kicking around some other ideas that unfortunately haven't been developed/grown enough yet to start devoting writing time to them.

All of the above PLUS my first of two semi-annual trips to the Cardiologist this week, my weekly Errands Excursion and taking care of The Free Choice E-zine when I'm not "working" on my own writing.

So I better get back to it now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

30 March, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 22, 2025

 I'm about to start proofreading Chapter 20 of SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA

I know. It seems like a slow long drag, and you wouldn't be wrong in your assessment from some perspectives of the overall project.

It takes time to make sure all the I's are dotted and the T's crossed and all the other grammatical cliches that apply, but it's worth it.

I've corrected a couple of mistakes—Hey, I'm only human—and added about another 300 words to the overall manuscript so far to flesh out a thought here and a sentence there.

With all the other commitments of life I have to deal with, time is still a precious commodity when your entire "staff" is me, myself, and I but I will have this manuscript completely proofread and off to the publisher.

Hopefully by the end of April at the latest.

So I better get back to it.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

23 March, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 15, 2025

 I've made it to Chapter 18 of SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA, which now puts me at the halfway point of the manuscript since it has 34 chapters.

I only had one decent writing day, time wise, this past week.

Otherwise it was catch as catch can.

A moment here. A couple of minutes there. You get the idea.

You have to understand that when I proofread any manuscript, I go word by word by line by sentence by paragraph by scene by page by chapter until I've reread the entire manuscript from its first word until the very end.

Had family over today, so nothing got accomplished professionally except this blog post and The Sunday Funnies on The Free Choice E-zine.

Not sure how the coming week will turn out but I am going to bed now.

Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

16 March, 2025

For those celebrating, HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY🍀, but please party responsibly.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 8, 2025

My editor's hat 😉

 Although my time was divided between the usual responsibilities and commitments versus what I would have preferred to be doing (writing), I at least managed to get a couple of more chapters proofread in the SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA manuscript.

Still not even at the halfway point of double checking the novel before submitting it to the publisher yet, but at least there was progress!😀

And for those interested, if you haven't had a chance to do so yet, time is running out⌚⌛⏰ on voting because the polls close tomorrow night for the 2025 Pulp Factory Awards Ballot.

Lots of worthy contenders in five different categories and plenty of good reading available, regardless of who wins.

In any event, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

9 March, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 1, 2025

 I honestly don't know all the whys and wherefores, but it was another week of getting everything done except the stuff I really wanted to do.😕

I did manage to get another page or so proofread on SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA, but absolutely no work on my SHERLOCK HOLMES story.😞

I'm thinking it might be for the best to concentrate all my writing time, whenever it comes along, on finishing the proofreading so I can finally get the SOLITAIRE manuscript to the publisher for eventual release.

And if you haven't done so already, please don't forget to vote in the 2025 PULP FACTORY AWARDS. One vote per person with the March 10 deadline just over the horizon.

Have a load of laundry about to finish the dryer cycle.

Still have to cook dinner.

Grocery hunting tomorrow and my birthday is this coming Wednesday.

Otherwise, my week looks pretty open right now.

I wonder how much I'll get accomplished?

In any event, I better get back to business now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

2 March, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 22, 2025

 WELL...

Another week of endless interruptions and other life commitments kept me from getting much writing done.😟

One whole page of proofreading on SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA and two more paragraphs added to my work in progress SHERLOCK HOLMES story.

That's it!

On the other hand, as its Editor-In-Chief I've been super busy with The Free Choice E-zine. It has seriously increased activity since January 20, especially The Week In Review feature that gets posted every Saturday.

I have grocery hunting tomorrow. Household chores on Tuesday and a doctor's appointment Wednesday.

Beyond that, here's hoping I get something creatively accomplished between SOLITAIRE and SHERLOCK this coming week.

In any event, take care.

STAY SAFE!

I'll see you around the Internet and if you haven't done so already, please vote in the annual Pulp Factory Awards.

Lee Houston, Junior

23 February, 2025

THE 2025 PULP FACTORY AWARDS BALLOT

 HEY EVERYBODY!

Each year, that august body known as the Pulp Factory (whose page you can access on Facebook) gets together and accepts nominations from everything published the previous year before selecting finalists to compete in the annual Pulp Factory Awards.

And I'm actually a contestant this year!😀 My short story from Codename Intrepid Classified Volume 3 is competing against some other worthy contenders in the Best Short Story category, among the other topics to consider.

The full list below and ballot are here: https://forms.gle/iaamnrY3EVhCRCy9A

They even include copies of the Cover Contenders in case you might have forgotten what they look like.

ANYONE CAN VOTE ONCE, BUT YOU ONLY HAVE UNTIL 11:59PM EASTERN TIME MARCH 10 TO DO SO!

The best of luck to all the nominees.

Best Novel

    • Captain Hawklin at War by Charles F. Millhouse - Stormgate Press

    • Lance Star: Cold Snap by Bobby Nash - Airship 27

    • Not Born of Woman by Teel James Glenn - Macabre Ink

Best Short Story

    • The Extrasensory Connection by Nancy Hansen - CNI Classified Vol. 2 - Blue Planet Press

    • Murdoch by Jaime Ramos - The Blood Runs Deep - Valhalla Books

    • Operation Colossus by Lee Houston - CNI Classified Vol. 3 - Blue Planet Press

    • The Rose of Madrid by Teel James Glenn - Zorro: Swordplay & Romance - Bold Venture Press

    • The Strand Magazine Murders by I.A. Watson - Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective Vol. 20 - Airship 27

Best Anthology

    • The Blood Runs Deep - Valhalla Books

    • CNI: Classified Vol. 2 - Blue Planet Press

    • Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol. 20 - Airship 27

Best Interior Illustrations

    • Clayton Murwin - Lance Star: Cold Snap - Airship 27

    • James Lyle - Towers of Metropolis Vol. 2 - Airship 27

    • Rob Davis – Sherlock Holmes Consulting Detective Vol. 20 - Airship 27

Best Cover

    • Rob Davis – The Devil You Know - Airship 27

    • Ted Hammond – Jezebel Johnston Vol. 9: Captain Johnston – Airship 27

    • Jeffrey Hayes - CNI: Classified Vol. 2 - Blue Planet Press

Remember voting is open to all, so feel free to share this with other fans of pulp, thrilling action adventure and readers in general!

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 8, 2025

 😀THIS IS MY 625TH OVERALL POST ON MY WRITING BLOG!😁

I did manage to add another sequence to my SHERLOCK HOLMES story this past week and have come up with a possible title for the case but unfortunately, I got no additional proofreading done on SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA.

Would definitely like to at least get S2 finished and off to the publisher soon, for HOLMES adventures require extra time to properly craft and be worthy of the Victorian Era's consulting detective.

Thankfully there's no exact time table on either project, just my own personal frustrations in regards to time or the lack thereof versus everything I want to do, have to do and need to do; which are three separate entities.

Of course once again I have a doctor's appointment later this week and plenty of errands to run.

In any event, I better try to get back to it now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

9 February, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 1, 2025

 While this past week has been no less busy on the personal front than those before it, I actually managed to get a couple of more chapters to SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA proofread! 😀

Other than a little research, no actual writing on whatever my next SHERLOCK HOLMES short story will turn out to be😒, but hey.

Progress IS progress.

Not sure how this coming week is going to turn out with a doctor's appointment on top of everything else going on,😕 but I'll just have to take it as it comes.

In any event I've got to get going.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

2 February, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 25, 2025

 Other than managing to go over a couple of more pages in my quest to completing the proofreading of
SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA, I am afraid that I got nothing else accomplished on the writing front this past week.

A whole lot was done on the personal front though.

Once again, I hope this coming week will be better, but only time will tell.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

26 January, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 18, 2025

 There was actually some progress to report on this past week!😀

While I didn't accomplish more than a couple of paragraphs on my still untitled SHERLOCK HOLMES story for Airship 27, I finally got into the double digits chapter wise proofreading SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA!

Time still seems to be an issue because there is just one of me compared to the housework, chores and everything else that needs to be addressed and accomplished outside of writing on a daily basis.

Yet, even if time was on my side, why does it seem to be taking so long?

Because when I make my final proofreading pass on any manuscript, I go over it with the proverbial fine toothed comb.

Word by word, line by line by paragraph and chapter to correct any mistakes I might have made while seeing if there is any possibility of making the story better in the process.

The same way I review all my Blog entries before posting them.

So far I've completed reviewing 12 out of the 30 something chapters.

There was one unfortunate error involving Solitaire's disguise of the moment that I caught and corrected, along with a few sentences here and there that I tightened to make better reading.

I also added a word or two here and there or an extra sentence at times along the way to make the overall manuscript more enjoyable as well.

I also keep tabs on my chapter numbering to make sure I didn't mislabel any of them.

Twelve Chapters down.

No numbers skipped and the manuscript's total word count is now a little over a 100 more than it was when I started.

The title page, dedication—for SOLITAIRE 2 will be in memory of my late father, who left us in 2024— author's bio and any afterword won't be added until I finish reviewing the main story.

So with that in mind I better get back to it now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

19 January, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 11, 2025

 Unfortunately, there isn't much progress to report since last Sunday because for some unknown reason(s) my time malady seems to have carried over into the new year and I don't understand why.

I get up at a decent hour and try to tackle everything I've got to do before I attempt anything creatively.

Yet by the time I get everything else accomplished, there isn't much time left for writing.😕

So I decided that I better concentrate on the highest priority first: trying to finish getting SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA proofread so I can submit it to Airship 27.

Especially since I still haven't even made it into the double digit chapters yet.

Hopefully by next weekend I will have much better news to report but until then, I better get back to it.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

12 January, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 4, 2025

 LOOKING BACK AND FORWARD

Welcome to the first PROGRESS REPORT of 2025!

Last year was rough.

TWO MAJOR computer crashes, knocking me offline and out of work for a couple of months between them. The loss of a beloved pet was bad enough, but losing my father was another matter. 😢

Looking back over 2024, while I completed the manuscript to SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA, unfortunately the only work that actually got published last year was "Operation Colossus", my short story that appeared within the third volume of the CODE NAME: INTREPID CLASSIFIED anthology series for Robert J. Mendenhall via Blue Planet Press.😊

Even though what you're reading right now covers December 29, 2024 through January 4, 2025; unfortunately nothing got done creatively before New Year's Day and for better or worse, I've only managed to proofread another page of the SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA manuscript since then. 😞

Pending projects for the beginning of this year are:

*Finish proofreading S2 before submitting it to Airship 27.

*Proofread the Science Fiction novel I finished in 2023 before attempting to find it a publisher.

*Get back to work on the ZEPHYR LILY novel at some point, but that is currently delayed because...

*It has been suggested by my friendly neighborhood beta proofreader Nancy Hansen that I write another SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY before Airship 27 goes into semi retirement.

FOR THOSE WHO HAVE NOT HEARD...

At the end of their 96th podcast on YouTube, Ron Fortier and Rob Davis, the co-founders and main employees of Airship 27, announced that they are going to start scaling back production to enjoy their Golden Years more.

They will NOT be closing the Hangar completely, just that by 2027 at the latest, neither them nor the company will be going full tilt releasing titles on a regular/monthly basis.

Both gentlemen have had long and distinguished careers professionally and personally, so I wish them well in all their current and future endeavors. Yet that also leaves me with the unanswered question of

WHAT NEXT?

Airship 27 will definitely take SOLITAIRE 2 once I finish proofreading it and SHERLOCK HOLMES once I finish writing it.

But ZEPHYR LILY, let alone the Science Fiction novel and any future SOLITAIRE adventures?

And there is still the enigma of trying to figure out the future of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE and ALPHA the Superhero because I haven't heard a word from Pro Se Press in years, hence my concentrating on SOLITAIRE and other works for Airship 27.

Yet while I don't have all the answers at the moment, the one thing I do know is that: no matter what happens, I WILL KEEP WRITING!

So with that in mind, I better try to get back to it.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

5 January, 2025