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