PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JULY 11, 2026

 FIRST AND FOREMOST, MY MOST SINCEREST APOLOGIES FOLKS.

With everything going on lately, I forgot to mention in my previous PROGRESS REPORT that my second Last Kiss contribution was published on July 3.

This time I co-wrote a Fourth of July based gag with series creator John Lustig.

I do have a couple of more submissions pending and am always thinking of other possible gags, so will try to keep everyone posted as to when my next joke will appear there.

But everyone can enjoy John Lustig's Last Kiss feature either on Go Comics or his website.

And as for the reason a lot of people check out my writer's blog every week, I have finally made it to Chapter 22 and past the 40,000+ word mark on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES.

Besides all the usual obligations and hassles of life, there have been times when this manuscript has been a real emotional ride as it dives into HUGH's past to (re)establish the character as he tries to obtain his private detective license.

Once it's finished and accepted for publication, this novel is both a jumping on point for new readers while restarting the series that was orphaned when HUGH's previous publisher went out of business.

But to get this book done and restart the series so HUGH's past and future adventures can be told, I better get back to writing now.

So with that in mind, take care.

STAY SAFE!

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

Lee Houston, Junior

12 July, 2026

The 4/FOUR links used were active at the time of posting.

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.