PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 13, 2026

 Unfortunately there is very little progress to report on my own material over this past week between a doctor's appointment and other commitments, but things are going well concerning the Jaime Ramos tribute anthology: JAIME RAMOS' THE STREETS OF GOLGOTHA.

The initial announcement of the memorial book took off like wildfire on social media, with a lot of reposts and comments concerning the man and his work.

While I don't have any access to those statistics, I'm hearing sales on Jaime's last project have been good between the print and e-book formats, which is nice to hear.

It means his final creative dream was a success.

Cover by Adam Shaw

For those who haven't gotten a copy of either version yet, it's available from Airship 27 via Amazon at 

https://tinyurl.com/y7zvmmbr

I'm going back to my own writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

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

Lee Houston, Junior

14 June, 2026

JAIME RAMOS' THE STREETS OF GOLGOTHA

Alas the man is gone, but his legacy lives on.

Cover art by Adam Shaw

Jaime Ramos reluctantly left us September 30, 2025 with his last project still pending at the time, but his friends pulled together to make his dream become a reality, for Airship 27 has published JAIME RAMOS' THE STREETS OF GOLGOTHA.

The word Golgotha means "the city of skulls," and "the place of Christ's crucifixion.” Jaime thought that a city based on this meaning, which was founded by French monks in the 1800s, would be an interesting place to set noir and detective stories with a touch of horror. As he wrote in his introduction when the project was first being developed back in 2023:

"I wanted the city to be hard-core, filled with dirty cops, the Mafia, corrupt religious figures, and a TV psychic named John Normandy. I wanted the city to be laid out with French catacombs underneath and urban Gothic design on the surface."

After designing landmarks for the city, Ramos had a friend create a map, placing Golgotha in upper Wisconsin, where it always seemed to be raining or snowing or both. Crime was mixed with mysticism and darkness.

Inviting several author friends to contribute, Ramos created an omnibus of collected stories about the city.

The back cover

Unfortunately, life and medical issues kept Jaime from seeing this through, that's when we stepped up to help.

Assembled here for your enjoyment is the fruit of his editorial and creative desires through the loving labors of Jaime Ramos and his friends Teel James Glenn, Nancy Hansen, Wayne Carey, Bobby Nash and myself.

Interior illustrations are by Rob Davis and cover by Adam Shaw.

The Ramos' in happier times.

According to Airship 27 co-founder Ron Fortier: "Jamie's wife Phyllis asked me to pass along her sincerest thanks to all of you for your efforts on the book and more importantly, for your friendship and support of Jamie all these years. She is deeply touched by what all of you have done."

Part of me wishes we could have done more, but at least one last dream came true for Jaime.

Take a walk down the shadowy, dangerous, and mysterious STREETS OF GOLGOTHA.

Available in print and e-book from Airship 27 via Amazon at 

https://tinyurl.com/y7zvmmbr

The above is a combination of my thoughts and feelings along with Ron Fortier's press release. Any mistakes are purely my own.—lh,jr.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 6, 2026

 HELLO EVERYBODY!

There's a lot of ground to cover this week so let's get right to it.

There isn't much progress to report in regards to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE's prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES. Still within Chapter 19 and the 35,000+ word count.

But this time it wasn't because of life, the universe and everything else that usually gets in my way.

Early last week I, and all the other contributors to the project, received the PDF galley from Airship 27 to proofread and make any corrections concerning the Jaime Ramos Tribute Anthology.

The book's back cover

Jaime's last writing endeavor before his untimely passing on September 30, 2025 was a new noir project entitled The Streets of Golgotha.

Part mystery. Part horror. All Jaime, who was kind enough to open the mythical Wisconsin city to his friends and fellow contributors.

Jaime has the first tale "The City of Skulls" and introduced his latest character, John Normandy. A reluctant TV personality and psychic.

Then Teel James Glenn, Nancy Hansen, Wayne Carey, Bobby Nash and myself all explore those unforgiving streets before a round robin adventure closes out the anthology.

As he wrote in the introduction back in 2023:

"I wanted my city to be hard-core, filled with dirty cops, the Mafia, corrupt religious figures. I wanted the city to be laid out with French catacombs underneath and urban Gothic design on the surface. I set the landmarks of the city and had a friend of mine make me a map. I decided to place it in upper Wisconsin. And I decided it always seemed to be raining or snowing or both. Crime would be mixed with mysticism and darkness."

He was even hoping to work on a second volume once the first was published, but life and health issues had other ideas.

The anthology is due out soon from Airship 27 in print and e-book formats via Amazon and everyone involved has done Jaime proud.

I'll have more about this upon publication but before I go, I would just like to thank all my readers and fans for granting this blog 32,120 page views during the month of May 2026.

Now I better get back to writing.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

7 June, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 30, 2026

 OVERALL, IT HASN'T BEEN A BAD WEEK.

Another busy one, but not a bad one.

Got more done on the writing front than I thought I would.

While I'm still on Chapter 19 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES, I am now over 36,000+ words into the manuscript!😎

My main problem writing wise at the moment, besides the ongoing never ending battle of time versus professional and personal responsibilities, is that I'm not quite sure where/when to end this chapter and start Chapter 20.

I wish all my problems in life were that minor.😏

I've been asked before "What do writers do for fun?"

While I can't speak for everyone else in the literary world, among my other assorted hobbies and pastimes, I like to draw.

I'll give you a moment to reread the previous four words.

⏳

Now then, it's mostly during commercial breaks and when the opposing team is at bat during Red Sox baseball⚾ games, but I kick back with my colored pencils and sketch, doodle, draw or whatever the right word to describe what I'm doing is.

I'm certainly no "master artist" and my work will never be in any gallery or museum.

It's just for my own amusement and relaxation.

PHOTO AND ART BY YOURS TRULY.

I recently completed my latest project.

Entitled "Belle: The Queen on Her Throne", it's an image of the dog on her favorite recliner, although technically the chair belongs to someone else.😉

PHOTO BY ME.

On the left you can see the model out in the snow on a morning walk back in January of this year, expressing her opinion of the weather.

While I didn't work on it every single night, it took me almost a full month and any glare in the art picture is because I put it in a frame for safe keeping upon completion.

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

31 May, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 23, 2026

 Today is the middle of the Memorial Day weekend here in the United States, when one should pause to remember those past and present who defend the freedoms citizens in this country have. Despite what others might believe, it is not a time to buy mattresses or shop other sales.

In any event, while I'm still on Chapter 18 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES, I have broken the 34,000+ word mark in the process.

For those who (fondly) remember the previous Pro Se Press books before that company went out of business, HUGH is a private detective on another planet in the far flung future as the series mixes two of my favorite genres: science fiction and mysteries.

Hugh's original first cover by David L. Russell 

But like some private detectives of literary history, HUGH is also a military veteran. In this case of Universal War 1, where the Allied Worlds fought the Purists who hated and wanted to wipe out all "aliens" in the universe.

Just remember folks, this series originally started back in 2010 and I'm working hard on trying to get the reboot relaunch up and running today. I was originally thinking of those who either hid themselves within white sheets or followed one man's nightmare of wanting to conquer the world back in the 1940s, not current events.

I have added some details to HUGH's backstory, as seen in the following snippets...

“On one hand, Major Hugh Monn, recently honorably discharged from military duty with several accommodations and medals as part of a very distinguished service record.”

“Hugh…” she began, collecting my medals off the floor from accidentally knocking their case off the dresser. “I didn’t know,” Cynthia added, studying the one’s in her hand. “I recognize the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star from human history. But what are these others?” she wondered, looking at what resembled a blazing comet, along with a star going nova and an iconic representation of the known universe.

"Acknowledgements of doing things that needed to be accomplished, no matter what the consequences," I replied, collecting them from her.

Of course there is a lot of unpresented and in some cases, as yet unwritten material between those two passages, so with that in mind, 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

24 May, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 16, 2026

 It was another long week of having to do everything and then some as things unplanned popped up on a regular basis, so I won't bore you with the ongoing saga of errands, chores, life, the universe and everything, etc.

HOWEVER, while I am still on Chapter 17 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES, I'm at least in the 33,000+ word count neighborhood now. 😐

Some weeks are definitely better than others and alas they can't all be winners, but I keep plugging away as time permits any writing to be done and hope to have the first draft of the manuscript completed as soon as humanly possible.

With that in mind, 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

17 May, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 9, 2026

 I managed to get some serious writing time this past week!😎

Not only did I complete Chapter 16, but am well into both the 31,000+ word count and Chapter 17 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES!

I would love for this trend to continue, but the coming week does not look favorable between a doctor's appointment and a few other personal items on top of the usual housework, errands, chores, etc.

In any event, I will try to accomplish what I can in the days ahead but before I sign off, for those celebrating today:

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

10 May, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 2, 2026

 OF WRITING AND PASSINGS...

Another busy week of everything under the sun and then some has passed, but at least I did get some writing done.

While I'm still on Chapter 16 to the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE PREQUEL NOVEL: PRIVATE BATTLES, I am now past the 30,000+ word mark!😀

I was also saddened to hear of the passing of two of my favorite comic book writers last week.😢

Gerry Conway is noted for many things, including creating a lot of popular characters as well as authoring the very first Marvel/DC crossover and several episodes of various television series.

Len Strazewski had great runs on The Flash, The Justice Society of America and a few other titles I've read over the years.

To say both gentlemen will be missed is an understatement.

In any event, I better get back to working on my own humble contribution(s) to the literary world.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

3 May, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 25, 2026

 I have FINALLY made it to Chapter 16 and am past the 29,000+ word mark in the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel manuscript PRIVATE BATTLES!

Nothing's changed on the personal front. In fact, I have a doctor's appointment later this week on top of all the usual chores, errands and other aspects of life.

But perseverance finally paid off, despite the fact that these past couple of weeks trying to finish Chapter 15 felt like I was trying to climb a mountain bare handed while blindfolded with a semi tied to each leg.😝

In any event, I'm hoping to have the manuscript completed and ready to submit to whoever Hugh's new publisher will be sometime this summer.

But to do that, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

26 April, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 18, 2026

 I truly wish I had more to report than the fact that I'm still on Chapter 15 and within the 28,000+ word
neighborhood working on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel manuscript PRIVATE BATTLES.

In past PROGRESS REPORTS I've detailed dealing with life, the universe and everything as a solo act while trying to take care of household responsibilities, errands, doctor appointments and the other assorted parts of life and also trying to make the best out of whatever writing time I might have available; so there's no point in going over old ground.

Suffice to say that I do have a couple of pages of handwritten notes I've jotted down over the course of the last few weeks, so I have a basic road map of how this prequel novel is going turn out, let alone an agenda of my plans to restart the series once the prequel novel is finished and I've found a new publisher for HUGH.

Those have also been discussed to some extent in past PROGRESS REPORTS too, but I will go over everything again in the future when appropriate.

With that I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

I'll see you around the Internet and HAPPY EARTH DAY APRIL 22! 🌎

Lee Houston, Junior

19 April, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 11, 2026

 On one hand, I'm unfortunately still on Chapter 15 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES.

On the other hand, I am now well into the 28,000+ word neighborhood.

Guess you have to take the good with the bad, and I have no idea how this coming week is going to turn out as I post this with errands tomorrow and a major expedition Thursday to help someone out.

Either way, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

12 April, 2026

SPECIAL TREAT: SNEAK PREVIEW!

 I've decided to give everyone a special Easter treat today and present the opening paragraphs to the forthcoming HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES for your reading enjoyment.

Lee Houston, Junior

5 April, 2026

CHAPTER 1

Most waiting rooms were all alike. Decorated in modern furnishings with a beautiful lady sitting behind the front desk.

The one I found myself in today was relatively the same. The only differences were the lack of anything on the walls beyond the standard dull white coloring most offices used and the tell tale hint of a surveillance camera over the entrance to the main office past the secretarial receptionist for, despite its relatively small size, technology still hadn’t fully resolved the classic light glare problem if you happened to view the lens at just the right angle.

After something on her desk chimed, the red haired woman looked up from her work to briefly smile at me. “He’ll just be a couple of more minutes at most. Would you like anything?” she asked, indicating whatever was behind the partitioned area between her position and the main entrance.

“No. Thank you,” I replied.

Despite having just survived what they were already calling the worst war in history, I was nervous. If he turned down my request…

Then another chime rang.

“Sir. You can go in now,” she announced.

“Thank you,” I replied while rising from the guest chair. After straightening my tie and double checking my appearance the best I could without a mirror, the door to the inner chamber silently but automatically slid open upon sensing my approach.

As I entered the office instead of saying hello, I slowly raised my hands with the open palms facing the room, for I was greeted by a weapon muzzle pointed directly at my chest.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 28, 2026

 The Doctor's visit last Monday went well, but otherwise not much of a writing week once again. 😞

I have made it into Chapter 15 and past the 27,000+ word mark on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES though.

Keeping my fingers crossed that this coming week will be better.

Better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

29 March, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 21, 2026

 Unfortunately there isn't much progress to report since last week. 😢

I'm still on Chapter 14 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES; but at least I've made it into the 26,000+ word territory.

For the most part it just wasn't a good week last week. Too much happened that needed to be addressed that I wasn't expecting and I have no idea how this week is going to be with a doctor's appointment Monday as well as all the usual errands, household chores, etc.

Guess I'll just have to take it one day at a time.

And in case you missed it, John Lustig published my very first Last Kiss on Saint Patrick's Day. 🍀

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

22 March, 2026

MY FIRST "LAST KISS"

 NOW IT CAN BE TOLD! 😁

Fellow writer John Lustig bought the rights to the defunct Charlton Comics line of romance comics and along with other public domain material, turned it into a long running gag feature called Last Kiss, that can be found on Go Comics and other places, including his website.

Guess who's Saint Patrick's Day🍀 joke was published today?

That's right. MINE! 😎

Can you tell I'm more than a little excited about all of this right now?😉 My first foray into the world of comics as a contributor.

It's kind of like finding the proverbial pot of gold at the end of the rainbow🌈 or winning the lottery.

Hopefully in time as my muse and John's sense of humor permits, I'll have another gag or three to share with the world but between now and then, I urge everyone who needs a good laugh (especially nowadays) to visit Last Kiss on a regular basis for a little stress relief.

Sincere-Lee,

Lee Houston, Junior

17 March, 2026

 All links were active at the time of posting.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 14, 2026

 BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH?

Other than the lousy weather, it's just another March 15 to me.

In any event, I'm on Chapter 14 and well into the 25,000+ block word count wise on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES.

Sometimes writing is like soaring through space at warp speed. My fingers can't type fast enough to keep up with my thoughts.

Other days it's like trying to climb up a mountain bare handed with an anchor tied to each leg. I feel like I'm getting nowhere fast but keep pursuing the dream.

Guess which version I prefer? 😉

In any event I'm doing my best whenever time permits, but that lady is a fickle mistress to begin with. ⌚⌛⏰⏳

I'll be back Tuesday to share that special event I've been hinting about with everyone.

Until then I better get back to writing and see what I can accomplish between now and then.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

15 March, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 7, 2026

 At the moment I'm in the 24,000+ words neighborhood and Chapter 13 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES, but am stuck trying to work a sequence out to my satisfaction that will be enjoyable for you to read whenever the novel is actually published by whoever HUGH's new publisher turns out to be.

For those who came in late, if the last part of the above paragraph doesn't make any sense to you, I want to finish writing the prequel novel before I try shopping the series anew.

A few friends have made suggestions in regards to where HUGH's new home should be since Pro Se Press went out of business last year, but I honestly can't see trying to sell an incomplete manuscript despite HUGH's previously established history.

I've already discussed my long term plans for the series revival in previous posts, but day to day life events sometimes regularly have a way of interrupting things, which is why I'm not as far along in the novel as I would prefer to be.

I also have a SPECIAL SURPRISE to spring upon everyone next week!😁

More details on that as we get closer to the target date.

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

8 March, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 28, 2026

View out my window February 22!

 I am SO glad that today is the first of March!

While there is still unfortunately plenty of winter weather to deal with over the next few weeks, Spring is at least on its way. 😀

Hopefully it has a better travel agent than last year and arrives at least close to, if not actually on time for once because I would love to see a few consecutive days AND nights ABOVE freezing for a change!

The blizzard of February 22-23 was no fun at all, as I'm sure many who also experienced it can attest.

The subsequent snow storms, while nowhere near as intense as the TWENTY FIVE INCHES OF SNOW that the blizzard left, sure weren't enjoyable either. Neither was the power outage, but thankfully that was just during the day.

Anyway, not much writing accomplished on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE's prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES this past week. But while I'm still on Chapter 12, at least I've made it to the 23,000+ neighborhood word count wise.

I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow (March 2) and the usual errands and chores to tackle throughout the rest of the week, but hopefully I'll get more writing done in-between all that and trying to stay warm.

I've also got a surprise coming up for all my readers and fans, but unfortunately I can't share it with everybody yet.

But that time is coming...

Until then, I better get back to writing.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior,

who thanks everyone for the 4,471 page views this blog received over February 2026.

1 March, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 14, 2026

 Another busy week is behind me, but at least I got some writing done.

Had to get both an eye exam and my car past emissions this past week, on top of the usual cooking, cleaning, laundry and other assorted errands and chores.

Since I was dilated, that day was a total loss to everything except the radio. 😕 I did get to hear some good music while my eyes readjusted to normal.

The optometrist says that while I may be facing cataract surgery someday, it happens to everyone in time but it won't be within my foreseeable future.

No pun intended.

And I'm over 22,000+ words and into Chapter 12 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel: PRIVATE BATTLES.

So you have to take the good with the bad.

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

15 February, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 7, 2026

 I've made it to Chapter 12 and am about to break the 21,000+ word mark on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES.

I admit that Chapter 11 took a little longer to complete than I first thought it would.

Part of it was trying to work things out.

Another part was going back to tweak stuff in previous chapters as the novel evolves to where it is now and what it might be by the time I finish.

The rest was the usual requirements of life that I've discussed before. Like cooking, cleaning, etc.

One aspect that I haven't touched much on lately has been the weather.

As I post this, there hasn't been a day or night ABOVE freezing in my neck of the woods so far in 2026!

And this streak extends into the last few days of 2025 before New Year's Eve!

The weather forecasts claim by this time next weekend it might be a different story, at least during the days. We might even make it to like 37 or 38 degrees Fahrenheit during the day.

However the nights will still dip back down below 32F.

On the plus side, I'm staying in more to keep warm, which does get me some extra writing time.

On the other hand, all I can think of is trying to stay warm and wondering when all this {bleep} will end?

Except for missing the holidays and my family, I always thought bears had the right idea about hibernating until Spring.

In any event, take care.

STAY SAFE!

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

Lee Houston, Junior

8 February, 2026

And still available from Amazon...

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 31, 2026

 The first month of 2026 is over. Wish its winter was too!

It has been SERIOUSLY cold these last few weeks.

HOW COLD IS IT?

It has been so cold... you folks will have to make up your own jokes about it because I'm too busy trying to stay warm to do so myself. 😉

In any event, while I'm still on Chapter 11 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE PREQUEL
NOVEL: PRIVATE BATTLES, I have broken the 21,000+ word mark.

This has been one heck of a novel to write so far because, while I'm trying to set up the series for whoever winds up being the revived HUGH's new publisher once I'm done with this manuscript and start looking for them, I don't want to use anything that I already did in the existing books.

The previous HUGH MONN novels from the late, lamented Pro Se Press are part of my long term plans to restart the series.

I plan to take as many of the cases from the original short story collection and rework them into one novel to be called EARLY DAYS, which starts after PRIVATE BATTLES' last page when HUGH has earned his private detective license and sets up his own practice.

Whether or not there will be a totally new novel after that book remains to be seen, but there will be a new case for the private detective in the far flung future between the rereleases of CATCH A RISING STAR and FEMME FATALES, the other books Pro Se published in HUGH's previous print history.

Of course I will be going back over and revising those manuscripts before they're published again but afterward everything will be brand new from that point on.

Now then, two quick points of interest before I end this post.

The first being I would like to thank everyone for the 8,368 page views FILLING BLANK SPACES received this past month, which is the highest ever according to Google's Blogger logs.

The second should come as no surprise, but SOLITAIRE'S DEBUT NOVEL as well as SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA are both on sale at Amazon from Airship 27.

Now then, I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!
And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

1 February, 2026