PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 24, 2026

😀 GOOD NEWS THIS WEEK!😁

I'm well into Chapter 11 and the 19,000+ word mark on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE PREQUEL NOVEL PRIVATE BATTLES.

Obviously I still have a long way to go to complete the first draft, let alone consider the manuscript ready to submit to whoever HUGH's new publisher will be, but at least there IS progress!

ALSO, I even got as good of a medical checkup as an almost 64 year old man can get from his cardiologist this past week.

While two bouts of pneumonia, congestive heart failure and an aortic aneurysm have taken their toll on my overall health, I'm still here AND my weight is even lower than my last visit.😀

While I have never been obese by any stretch of the imagination, I have been fighting the proverbial battle of the bulge since puberty, so it's wonderful to see a favorable scale reading.

AND FOR THOSE INTERESTED...

Please don't forget that the original SOLITAIRE novel and it's sequel SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA are both on sale at Amazon from Airship 27.

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

25 January, 2026

All links were active at the time of posting.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 17, 2026

 I'm on Chapter 10 of the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE prequel novel PRIVATE BATTLES and about to break the 18,000+ word mark.

For those who follow my PROGRESS REPORTS from one week to the next, I know that may not seem like a lot since last week's report, but from my perspective it is considering I also have to cook and clean as well as run errands and do a lot of other stuff in the course of an average day since my entire household "staff" consists of me, myself and I.

Speaking of which, I've got grocery shopping, laundry and an appointment with my cardiologist in the coming week around whatever writing I can get done.

See my point?

AND FOR THOSE WHO CAME IN LATE...

Besides SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA, the original SOLITAIRE novel is also available from Airship 27 on Amazon in both print and e-book formats.

Ted Hammond covers and Chuck Bordell interior illustrations surround the opening adventures of the Secret Samaritan written and created by yours truly.

No matter what the quality of their prose, in the end the only true measure of a writer is the response of their readership, so I hope everyone enjoys my humble attempts to entertain you.

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 January, 2026

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JANUARY 10, 2026

 This is the first Progress Report of 2026 and there HAS been progress!

I am on Chapter 9 and over 16,700+ words into the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE PREQUEL NOVEL: PRIVATE BATTLES.

There is one pretty intense flashback sequence concerning how Hugh's medical condition happened.

For those who came in late, he can't stand cold temperatures (anything below 70 degrees Fahrenheit!) after being caught in a cryobomb blast during Universal War One.

I've also got other scenes planned along the way to reveal how he became the man he is in the far flung future where all his adventurous mysteries take place.

Readers and fans of the original series already know those answers and a whole lot more, but it's time for a restart and bring everyone back to the fold starting from Page 1.

The entire cast, including fan favorites Big Louie the Primoid, Attorney Mau Mynx and Sandra Bunnae, Hugh's girlfriend at the time when Pro Se Press folded WILL be reestablished and returning, but the first novel in the new series deals with Hugh trying to figure out his personal future while earning his private detective license.

However, I don't think I'll be going the Self-Publishing route after all because it's just too much work for one person.

If I was at least 30 years younger, maybe.

But I'll be 64 this coming March and don't always get as much writing time in any given day as I would like, so you can see how all the business end matters in regards to selling and promoting a book would tie up a lot of anyone's time.

Best to leave that to the professionals and just let me concentrate on the writing.

Ted Hammond cover

Who HUGH MONN's new publisher will be is something I will have to figure out after I complete the manuscript to PRIVATE BATTLES.

Yet before I return to writing, A FRIENDLY REMINDER that SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA is available from Airship 27 on Amazon in both print and e-book formats.

A Ted Hammond cover and Chuck Bordell interior illustrations accompany the second adventure of the Secret Samaritan written by yours truly.

So on that note♫, take care.

STAY SAFE!

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

Lee Houston, Junior

11 January, 2026

2025/2026

 For those expecting the weekly PROGRESS REPORT today, afraid there wasn't much progress to report.

Cover art by Ted Hammond

Been way too busy with household chores, errands and other personal responsibilities—including taking down all the Christmas decorations—and wound up with less than 100 words on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE PREQUEL NOVEL: PRIVATE BATTLES.

Hopefully this coming week will be better, but we'll see how it goes.

Despite my best efforts, 2025 only saw one book release, but it's a real winner.

SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA is out from Airship 27 and available from Amazon in both print and e-book formats!

Featuring a cover by Ted Hammond, interior illustrations by Chuck Bordell and a terrific story by yours truly, it is a worthy sequel to the original SOLITAIRE novel without suffering from "sequelitis" like some second installments of popular media properties have experienced over the years.

You can read one or the other or preferably both, but you'll never find those dreaded words "To Be Continued" at the end of any of my novels.

I really do hope you enjoy the Secret Samaritan's latest adventure and when there is word on SOLITAIRE 3 I will share it with everyone as soon as I can, but first I've got to get HUGH back up and running since his original publisher Pro Se Press folded this past Spring.😢

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

January 4, 2026

SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA NOW AVAILABLE!

Cover by Ted Hammond

 I said I'd let everyone know when it was released and I'm a man of my word.

Just didn't expect to see it so soon.

When the son of a wealthy aviation corporation owner is kidnapped by a vicious gang, the family turns to the mysterious entity known as Solitaire to rescue him.

In the process, the female master of disguise soon uncovers a personal vendetta against Andrews Aviation. The gang’s goal is not only to ruin the family but also steal their experimental new drone which the U.S. Military is hoping to purchase.

Once again Solitaire will have to rely on her many roles to confuse and defeat a fanatical enemy.

Airship 27 Production is thrilled to present pulp scribe Lee Houston, Junior’s second fast pace thriller featuring his original, amazing new heroine, Solitaire. This one is filled with exotic locales, cunning bad guys and non-stop action.

With a stunning cover by Ted Hammond and interior art by Chuck Bordell.

Now available in print and e-book formats from Amazon!

AIRSHIP 27 PRODUCTION – PULP FICTION FOR A NEW GENERATION!

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 27, 2025

 I hope everyone that got to celebrate had a good Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day and Kwanzaa.

I had a nice time with my family and even texted holiday cheer to a few friends.

Despite the Christmas Chaos trying to get everything done before the celebrating, the problems caused by all the bad Winter weather we've had so far—and unfortunately it's FAR from over😒—and the usual daily messes within my life, I FINALLY finished going over the galley for SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA!😎

I sent it back to Rob Davis at Airship 27, but as I post this I don't have an ETA on when the novel will be released.

I will keep everyone posted on that matter but for now, I'm turning my attention back to the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE PREQUEL NOVEL: PRIVATE BATTLES.

The Brothers from Room Service

AND FOR THOSE INTERESTED...

Turner Classic Movies is having a Marx Brothers marathon during the morning and afternoon hours of Wednesday, December 31 and I intend to record at least Duck Soup, A Night At The Opera and A Day At The Races because I'm planning a nice, quiet evening at home that night with them and whatever other comedies I record between now and then.

Which reminds me.

Don't forget before the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve to raise your left leg so you can start 2026 off on the right foot. 😉

So with that I'm going back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

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

Lee Houston, Junior

28 December, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING DECEMBER 20, 2025

 Well....

It was another interesting week.

No work on the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE: PRIVATE BATTLES prequel novel because I got the galley proof of SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA that I have to go over for Airship 27 to make sure everything is alright before the book is published.

Received that late Monday evening so started fresh on it Tuesday morning.

One has to go over every word and punction mark, line by line from start to finish and note any mistakes there might be along the way so they can be corrected before publication.

Everything was going fine until Friday when the storm hit. 😢

Didn't regain power until Saturday afternoon.

Didn't regain the Internet (let alone cable service) until about a half hour ago.

Thankfully both THE PUZZLE CORNER and THE WEEK IN REVIEW for The Free Choice E-zine were on the Post Timer this weekend, although I didn't discover until well after the fact that I miss set the one for the news, hence it not posting until almost midnight Saturday night.

And I've still got to post this week's SUNDAY FUNNIES on TFCE when I finish here.

With everything that had to be dealt with, I'm only about halfway through the galley.

Chuck Bordell did good work on the interior illustrations for the novel again, although the galley does NOT include the cover art, so no review on that because I'll be seeing it when the book is published like everyone else.

But for that to happen, I better get back to it although considering the time, I won't be staying up much longer to night.

In any event, take care.

STAY SAFE!

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

Lee Houston, Junior

21 December, 2025

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JULY 5, 2025

 Sometimes I wonder if I might be overthinking the situation, but it seems to me like trying to write a SHERLOCK HOLMES story worthy of the title character is like trying to solve a used jigsaw puzzle you bought at a flea market without the cover picture and no idea whether or not you have all the pieces to begin with.

In any event, work is proceeding apace on "The Adventure of the Shakespearean Folly", but every day I have to pause at least once to look up some detail about the Victorian Era or information on another related matter.

That is dedication to the writing craft, making sure I've got everything as correct as humanly possible.

The rest is just a question of time, effort and stubbornness.

I'd say I'm approaching, but haven't actually reached the halfway point yet.

Short stories are roughly 15,000 words on average. I haven't even made 10,000 yet, but every time I do get to write adds a little more to the overall manuscript.

Besides telling me that SOLITAIRE 2: THE AGENDA has been proofread and only lacks interior and cover art at this point before publication, Ron Fortier at Airship 27 has inquired how my Holmes work is going, so I know the story has a home when finished.

But to reach that point I better get back to writing now.

Take care.

STAY SAFE!

And I'll see you around the Internet.

Lee Houston, Junior

6 July, 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

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