KIRI'S QUEST NOW AVAILABLE

Okay, same old same old on the Writing Front right now concerning the SCIENCE FICTION PROJECT I'm working on, so thought I'd talk about something else today instead.

A DETERMINED DRAGON ON A DANGEROUS QUEST

‘COMPANION DRAGONS TALES VOLUME SIX: KIRI’S QUEST’ DEBUTS!

A very powerful magical tool has been stolen. In the wrong hands, it could be used to conquer the Otherworld realms so it must be recovered at all cost. Only one special companion dragon has the experience and skills to take on this covert quest to bring it back.

Young Pulp! and Pro Se Productions proudly announce the release of COMPANION DRAGONS TALES VOLUME SIX: KIRI’S QUEST by Nancy A. Hansen and Lee Houston, Junior, now available in print and digital formats.

Under the cover of darkness, ruby scaled Kiri travels to Castle Umbra, the monster guarded and foreboding stronghold of Grewsum–a wicked wizard, wretched writer, and shoddy speller now turned thief. Kiri is determined to retrieve what was stolen before it can be used for evil purposes—providing she survives that long!

The journey to Grewsum’s fortress is fraught with dangerous perils and Kiri has nothing but her wits and unique dragon abilities to aid her. One misstep could not only end her quest, but alert Grewsum to the fact that his opponents on the side of keeping the Otherworlds free have invaded his private island. That would amount to a declaration of war.

Yet even if Kiri safely makes it all the way to where the magical item is hidden, she might still have to face Grewsum himself. How can one small dragon outwit such a power hungry fiend?

Book Six in one of the most imaginative young reader for all ages series ever-COMPANION DRAGONS TALES-KIRI’S QUEST by Nancy A. Hansen and Lee Houston, Junior. From Young Pulp! and Pro Se Productions.

Featuring an exciting cover by Larry Nadolsky and cover design and print formatting by Antonino lo Iacono and Marcia Marina, COMPANION DRAGONS TALES VOLUME SIX: KIRI’S QUEST is available in print and e-book formats at Amazon.com.

Also available to Kindle Unlimited members for free.

Truthfully I had a lot of fun writing this adventure, with Nancy mostly serving as My Friendly Neighborhood Beta-Proofreader and Companion Dragon Universe Continuity Coordinator.

Someday I will definitely have to post a list of all the Easter Eggs I put into the story.

The only thing it lacks is the kitchen sink, and that's only because I couldn't figure out how to squeeze it in!

I can guarantee you that you'll never think of what composes a BLT the same way ever again.😉

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

10 October, 2021

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 4, 2018

Well, I've been all over the place this past week.

Most of the time I did work on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

But I spent one day in Victorian England kicking around ideas for a new Sherlock Holmes tale (or two), and had to put everything aside for a while Friday to create and review back cover copy for KIRI'S QUEST, the Companion Dragons novella I co-wrote with my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen, before the manuscript was submitted.

Hmm...
Between HUGH'S far flung future, Sherlock's vintage setting, and my writing desk being in the present, I wonder if I can get frequent flyer miles for all the time travelling I did??? 😕

In any event, I better get back to writing now.
Have a great week and I'll see you around the Internet, whatever century I'm in. 😉

Lee Houston, Junior
5 August, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 23, 2018

"IT'S DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN!"—Yogi Berra.

Basically what it comes down to is that I'm still working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE; while my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader is still going over the Companion Dragon's adventure "Kiri's Quest".

Now, some of you may think this is taking a long time, whether we're discussing my writing or Nancy Hansen's editing, but the fact of the matter is that both of us are meticulous in our creative endeavors and try to produce the best work humanly possible.

Of course, stuff like errands, doctors' appointments, babysitting in Nancy's case, me being the Editor-In-Chief of The Free Choice E-zine, and a whole slew of other matters can interrupt and take precedent over writing.

But when we are at our respective keyboards, we do work hard on these projects, so it's time for me to get back to work now, and if you honestly don't think writing is work, I will have to respectifully disagree with you.

Lee Houston, Junior
24 June, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 16, 2018

Okay, you may think this week's Progress Report is a repeat of the last two weeks or so, but it isn't.
Why?
Three reasons.

01. I'm now on Chapter 15 of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

02. I will hopefully be getting "Kiri's Quest" back sometime this week from my friendly neighborhood beta proofreader.

03.

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

Lee Houston, Junior

17 June, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 9, 2018

Well folks, I hate to sound like a broken record, but this week was next week last week.😉

Still working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE while my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader is going over the Companion Dragons adventure "Kiri's Quest".

I will be pausing work on Hugh to make my final read through of the quest when I get the manuscript back. Then I will go back to Hugh and continue working on him until that's done before going on to my next projects.

So take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
10 June, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 2, 2018

Basically, what it all boils down to is that my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen is still going over the second draft of my Companion Dragons novella "Kiri's Quest" while I continue working on HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.

Once the above is totally completed, upcoming projects WILL include a couple of short stories I want to write, going back to that "new idea" I've kicked around and mentioned in previous Progress Reports over the last few months, and what will eventually become PROJECT ALPHA, BOOK 3.

Life IS good, especially since I passed my cardiologist exam last week. 😁
My heart💓 and overall health are about as good as a man my age who has (luckily!💚🍀) survived both congestive heart failure AND an aortic aneurysm can be.
I still have my good days😊 and my bad ones😔, but as my Dad would say, at least I'm still above ground.

Well, I better get back to writing now.
See you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
3 June, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 26, 2018

REMEMBER THE VETERANS!

I hope those celebrating are having a nice Memorial Day weekend, and remember that the holiday
has more importance than just being for sales, cookouts, and the unofficial start of summer.

Have just about finished my second pass of "Kiri's Quest", the Companion Dragon novella I've written for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen.

When that's done, it's back to Chapter 14 of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE, where things are really starting to heat up and come together.

In any event, take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
27 May, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 19, 2018

Still need to take a photo of me at my computer someday.

A LOT of writing this past week!

I finished Chapter 13 of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE and was well into Chapter 14 when I got the manuscript for "Kiri's Quest" back from my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen.

Going over it in earnest now, for there are (unfortunately) a few sections that need some reworking on what will be my first Companion Dragons novella.

Not sure exactly when I will get back to HUGH, but definitely once I send KIRI back to its editor.

Until then, take care.

Lee Houston, Junior
20 May, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 12, 2018

First and foremost, I hope everyone who celebrated had a great Mother's Day.

I have completed the first draft of "Kiri's Quest", the Companion Dragons' novella I wrote for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader, but Nancy Hansen will just now be getting to it this week because her computer has just now been repaired and is operational again.

I AM back writing HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE.
Will be working on it until Nancy has had a chance to go over Kiri and sends her notes/editing back for any revisions she might want.

So until then...

Lee Houston, Junior
13 May, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MAY 5, 2018

For those who celebrated (responsibly), I hope you enjoyed Cinco de Mayo and/or Free Comic Book Day.

What Hansen system seems like, not actual image!

I know I said this last week, but I AM almost done with the first draft of my Companion Dragon novella.

I just want to finish going over the last few pages myself. Then I have to wait for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader to give her okay to send her the manuscript, because she's having computer problems right now.

Speaking of Nancy Hansen, her latest novel JEZEBEL JOHNSTON: MOURNING STAR is now available from Airship 27 in both print and Kindle editions!
The fourth exciting adventure of the female pirate has interior illustrations by Rob Davis and a cover by Ted Hammond.

I know Nancy was working on the fifth volume when her computer went kablooie, so Jez fans take heart.
There WILL be more in the future.

Speaking of which, I will be getting back to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE this week and once both it and the dragon are finished...???

See you around the Internet!

Lee Houston, Junior

6 May, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 28, 2018

I'm ALMOST done with the first draft of my Companion Dragon's novella!
Hoping to have it done by the end of this coming week.
Whenever it is finished, I will be going back to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE while my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader goes over the manuscript.
Especially since I've been wanting to get Hugh finished and move on to new material, including ALPHA 3.

In the meantime, I better get back to writing.

See you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
29 April, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 21, 2018

Although these Progress Reports cover the previous week, I post them on Sundays and today is very special.

🌍TODAY IS EARTH DAY!🌎

Although the issues should be addressed EVERY day, I hope everyone took the time to do something special to help the ecology, because this IS the only planet we have, and if it goes...

Anyway, all I lack is the final confrontation between the heroine Kiri and the evil villain, and my Companion Dragon tail tale is done! 😀

Of course, that climatic "battle" has to be in a G/Y7 ALL readers friendly format, which is what has me stumped at the moment.

What should it be?

Pie throwing ala The Three Stooges?

Water balloons at ten paces?

Don't worry, I'll think of something eventually.

See you around the Internet!

Lee Houston, Junior

22 April, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 14, 2018

Still working on my Companion Dragons' tail tale.

Approaching 28,000 words now, which is pretty good considering the novella has to be between 30,000 to 35,000 words.

Although it has an end of May deadline, should have it done before the end of April, then back to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE while my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader and Dragons' series editor reviews my work.

Going back to writing now.
Take care.
Lee Houston, Junior
15 April, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 7, 2018

Wish I had something new to report, but I'm still working on the Companion Dragons' novella for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen.

As entertaining as working on this has been (and if you've ever stopped writing to react to your own prose, then you know what I mean), I long to be on a different project too.
But if I switch to something else, that would just delay the dragons from being completed.
It's bad enough I haven't finished HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE yet as it is.

The dragon adventure IS over 25,000+ words now, so I should have it finished before the end of April.
How long it takes to finish HUGH after that remains to be seen.
But to get anything done, I better get back to writing now.

Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
8 April, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 31, 2018

HOPPY EASTER!

Unusual time at the moment, with Easter and April Fools' Day both falling on the first of the month this year.

In any event, got some serious work done on the Companion Dragons' adventure this past week.
Am approaching the 25,000 word mark, with the minimum goal of 30,000 in sight.
Maximum word count is 35,000 words on these novellas, but I'll have the tale wrapped up before then.

Will admit that it's been harder to do than I first thought, trying to find a balancing act between adventure and maintaining a "G" rating, or "Y7" if this was a television program.
Not sure how all those other series do it.
After all, you have to have some danger and excitement during the adventure, yet you don't want to scare your audience so much that you lose them.

Definitely will have the dragon slayed, I mean: finished this month, with the completion of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE my immediate goal afterward.
After that...???

But while the weather hasn't really shown any major signs of improvement yet—where the heck is Spring???—there is one bright ray of hope on the horizon.

The 2018 Baseball ⚾ season has begun!😁 GO RED SOX!

Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
1 April, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 24, 2018

Okay folks, I'm going to be totally honest with you.
The only day last week I didn't have to go out and be somewhere was the day the latest nor'easter hit my neck of the woods.

I did try to get as much writing done as I could whenever the opportunity presented itself, but right now I'm still on the Companion Dragon project for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader.

On the positive side of things though, I did pass my latest physical, so my health is about as well as can be expected for a 56 year old man with a heart condition.
In any event, I am hoping to get a lot more writing done this week, for other than errands Monday and Friday, I'm not going anywhere other than where my imagination and the keyboard take me.

Cover art by Laura Givens

AND A FRIENDLY REMINDER: SHERLOCK HOLMES, CONSULTING DETECTIVE VOLUME 11 WITH MY STORY ("THE ADVENTURE OF THE ARTFUL FORGER") AND 3 OTHER GREAT MYSTERIES IS NOW AVAILABLE FROM AIRSHIP 27!

With that in mind, I better get back to writing now.

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

Lee Houston, Junior

25 March, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 17, 2018

Exclusive photo of me during the nor'easter blackout.

Other than writing continues on the Companion Dragons novella I promised my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen, afraid there isn't really much true progress to report at this time.
Lot of personal stuff interrupted my plans this past week, including another nor'easter and a brief power blackout.
Really wish this snow would end and Spring finally shows up, but right now they're predicting another 6-12 inches this coming Wednesday, which at the very least will probably screw up my impending doctor's visit.
Oh well, all I can do is carry on and get back to writing.
Take care folks!
Lee Houston, Junior
19 March, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 10, 2018

Work is proceeding apace on my Companion Dragon Tales novella for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen.

I'm about three quarters through the first draft.
Still have a couple of major scenes to write but, barring anything unforeseen, I still think I might have the first draft completed and back to Nancy before the end of March 2018.

But whenever I do turn in the first draft, it's back to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, BOOK 3: FEMME FATALE while she reviews my work.

So, I better get back to writing now.
Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
11 March, 2018

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 3, 2018

Well, I am over my head cold.
Weather outside is still chilly and gloomy, but at least I'm feeling better.

Spent most of this past week working on that new Companion Dragon tale for my friendly neighborhood beta-proofreader Nancy Hansen.

But I had to stop and detour to Victorian England for a while to proofread the galley for "The Adventure of the Artful Forger", which WILL be in Airship 27's Sherlock Holmes, Consulting Detective Volume 11!

The only word I have on a release date is SOON, and I'm sure you're looking forward to this and the other thrilling mysteries (by I. A. Watson, Greg Hatcher, and Peter Basile) as much as I am.

As for current and future projects...
I should have that Companion Dragon tale finished before the end of this month.
Then, after I finish HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE-BOOK 3: FEMME FATLAE, I will be turning my attention to both PROJECT ALPHA 3 AND a new project that just won't leave me alone.
After that there are a couple of more short story ideas I've been kicking around, including another Holmes adventure.

Wish the weather was warmer, but at least my writing is heating up again.

With that in mind, I better get back to it.
See you around the Internet!
Lee Houston, Junior
4 March, 2018

All links were active at the time this article was posted.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 17, 2018

WELL...

I was doing great on the Companion Dragon story the first half of this past week, and then I caught a <censored> head cold!

Okay. I didn't want to catch the dang thing.

Heck, I wasn't even looking for one to begin with.

But I have it, and I'm dealing with it the best I can right now.

At least it isn't the flu!

In any event, I'll be back to writing full time as soon as I can.

Take care everybody!
Lee Houston, Junior
18 February, 2018