PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING AUGUST 20, 2016

Art by David L. Russell

Things are proceeding apace right now.

Have a little over 3100 words on what will be Book 3 of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE; despite a few interruptions this past week.

Still don't have a title for the story I'm working on, let alone know at this point whether it will be the opening tale or the entire book, but that is one of the joys of writing: the unknown.


One thing I have noticed since I started working on Book 3 is that, at least within my mind, Hugh's voice has changed.

Not sure this is true for everybody, but when I read and/or write material, I hear a lot of the character voices in my mind, like an old time radio production. After all, one knows a specific set of voices for such properties as Star Trek, Star Wars, etc.

Bogart, circa 1945, via Wikipedia

In the past, I never had a "set" vocal rendition for Hugh though.
Although he plies his trade on another planet in the far flung future, being a traditional/old school private detective, I started off my initial work on the character hearing what I personally believe to be the epitome of the private detective, at least vocally, in Humphrey Bogart.

I mean, between films like The Maltese Falcon and Casablanca, who doesn't think of Bogie as the personification of the hard edged man who will do what's right regardless of the consequences.
Granted, a lot of hard work went into creating Hugh beyond just imagining what he might sound like, but you get the idea.

In time though, Bogie's voice did start mutating as I got a clearer picture of what Hugh was like as a person.

Yet nowadays as I write Hugh, I cannot help thinking of vocal artist Pete Milan.

Pete, along with engineer Chris Barnes at Dynamic Ram Audio, did a fantastic job on the audio adaptation of HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE, aka Volume 1, the anthology of short stories that introduced the character to the universe that would have been published in Pro Se Press' Masked Gun Mystery magazine, had that title lasted past issue 2.

I keep getting asked by fans when will CATCH A RISING STAR (Hugh's second book and first full length novel) be released in audio?

Unfortunately, the only answer I have is "You will have to ask Tommy Hancock at Pro Se." Although you can count me among those anxiously awaiting an audio edition of Book 2 too, especially if Pete Milan returns as narrator!

But for now, all I have is my copy of Book 1's audio and an over active imagination, which I better get back to using now if Book 3 is going to have any more progress, especially with what I know of the interruptions that loom in my schedule in the near future.

Take care, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
21 August, 2016

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING APRIL 2, 2016

There is great news, a MAJOR announcement, and unfortunately a little bad news this week, so let's get right to it.

First off: the great news!

I have officially submitted the manuscript for Project Alpha 2 to Pro Se Press!
The final word count was 68,224 words.

Next: THE MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT!
While undergoing the final edit, I changed the subtitle, for I just didn't feel like "Wayward Son" was working out the way I thought it would.
Instead, the novel is now: PROJECT ALPHA: PROVING GROUND!
Considering everything that happens at Alpha's new location since the end of Book 1, it's more appropriate than ever now.

Unfortunately, I don't have an exact release date yet. Hopefully by the end of 2016. But you folks out there on the other side of this Internet post can always start asking Tommy Hancock and company at Pro Se Press and express your interest in reading it as soon as humanly possible.

Now, alas, a little bad news.
Just as I was putting the finishing touches on Project Alpha 2, I caught a dang flu bug or whatever this <censored> is.
The Sherlock Holmes short story for Airship 27 before I start work on whatever will become Hugh Monn, Private Detective Book 3 is still next on my agenda, but I want to get over this mess first; because right now it hurts to even wear my reading glasses for any long periods of time and my stomach feels like someone has taken a VERY BIG spin on the wheel of mis-fortune.

 

Hopefully I'll get something done this week, but I'm not placing any bets on it at the moment based on current feelings.
So take care.
Lee Houston, Junior
3 April, 2016

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING MARCH 5, 2016

Well, yesterday was my birthday, but I gave myself a present.
I finally finished going over the manuscript for PROJECT ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON!
I trimmed it from 71,041 words down to 68,996 words, not counting the 243 words on the Acknowledgements page.
At the moment, my friendly neighborhood beta/proofreader Nancy Hansen has it to go start her final pass.
After I get it back and make THE final review, then I'll be submitting it to Pro Se Press.
Then you folks can start asking Pro Se's Editor-In-Chief Tommy Hancock when the book will be released.

I have to return the favor and go over Nancy's latest anthology project, at least to make sure the four short stories are assembled properly without any formatting errors.

After that, I'll get back to that Sherlock Holmes short story I started and owe Ron Fortier at Airship 27.

Then...?
It will be time to start coming up with a mystery/adventure worthy of being the third book in the HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE series!

So, it looks like I've got a busy (and hopefully warmer) Spring ahead of me, so I better get back to "work" now.
See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
6 March, 2016

BACK STORY: "THE UNFAIR FARE" FROM LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION

Originally "rally cry" poster

When I first heard the news, I honestly didn't know what to think.

Tommy Hancock of Pro Se Productions was seriously ill (which I would later learn involved his heart), so Jamie Ramos had presented an idea to Ron Fortier and Rob Davis of Airship 27 (yes, the friendly competition!) to do a benefit anthology on Tommy's behalf, with Hancock getting all the proceeds to help his family out with medical expenses and other bills.

Of course, I volunteered to contribute a story immediately.

For those of you who don't know Tommy Hancock, you would be hard pressed to find a nicer or more knowledgeable man in this crazy creative field that we call "New Pulp". There would be less talent out there now if Tommy hadn't given them (and me) their first big break, so it's only natural that when the need arose, we'd rally to return the favor somehow.

Now, this is far from the first time that a group of people in one specific field united in a common cause and "paid it forward", so it didn't surprise me at all that our small little creative community of writers and artists got together to help out one of our own. The fact that we were able to do so in such a spectacular manner is what flabbergasted me!

Cover painting by Doug Klauba

Back cover creator list

The end result of everyone's hard work is LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION!
At first, the projected totals were (as expressed by the black and white "in-house" poster that was circulated) that the anthology would obtain a tad over fifty contributions, but the project wound up with 64 writers (including Tommy) and 37 artists helping to provide an illustration to each tale under a gorgeous cover by Doug Klauba!

At 776 pages, this is the biggest volume Airship 27 has ever published (to date) and Ron and Rob, along with Jamie and associate editor Todd Jones, deserve a hearty round of applause and time off to rest and recuperate from all their hard work.

As you can see by the back cover list, there is a plethora of creators representing a wide variety of pulp genres within this anthology.

As for my humble contribution...
Everyone had a small word count (4,000 minimum/8,000 maximum) and a short deadline. At first, I seriously considered writing a short story featuring one of my "signature" creations, but there was no way I could do an ALPHA the superhero story without tipping my hand in regards to plot points that will be revealed within his forthcoming second novel, and I honestly didn't know the legalities that might be involved if I did a short HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE mystery.
But that left me with the quandary of what to write?

One thing you must know about New Pulp is its definition. We are telling brand new stories in the classic pulp style of the past with modern sensibilities. Being pressed for time, I intentionally set my tale in the present day to avoid any potential research snares that might arise from doing a period piece, and therefore, a couple of days later, the result was "The Unfair Fare", which came in at a modest 4,677 words.

The story, complete with such modern references as GPS and flash drives, was then sent to Airship 27 for consideration.
Now, no writer expects to hit a home run every time they submit a manuscript; but I was truly happy when I got Fortier's e-mail response to my tale about a cab driver who winds up in an even bigger mess when a passenger tries to skip out on paying the fare...

Damn, Lee, that was a fun little gem.  I really liked that a lot. Great story...authentic pulp feel throughout.
Thanks so much,
Ron

THAT certainly made my day!
The stories are presented in order, alphabetically based upon author's last names, so I am in-between "Señor Tijras" by Joe Hillard and "The Gentleman Thief and the Artist" by Emily Janhke, with an illustration by Joe Arnold.

The one thing I could never decide upon was WHO the cab driver should be, so I'll leave it up to your opinion dear reader as to who the driver is.

Otherwise, on behalf of myself and everyone else involved with this anthology, we really hope you like LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION.
It's a great read for a worthy cause and is now available in both print AND Kindle e-book editions at Amazon.com

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING OCTOBER 3, 2015

FIRST AND FOREMOST...
Tommy Hancock has had his surgery and is at home recovering.

Now then...
Chapter 18, Take 2 has just come back earlier this evening from my friendly neighborhood beta/proofreader, while I was working on Chapter 19 of ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON.
Still not sure if Chapter 19 will be the finale or if there will be a Chapter 20.
Either way, am nearing the end of the manuscript at last!
Will go over her review of Chapter 18 tomorrow when I'm fresh.

In the meantime, see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
4 October, 2015

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

FIRST AND FOREMOST... we pause momentarily to wish Tommy Hancock well. He is facing surgery tomorrow to address his cardiac issues.




Now then, I'm working on Chapter 18 Take 2 of ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON; after my friendly neighborhood beta/proofreader sent me back the original draft of that chapter with her review notes.

That has sparked a couple of new ideas, so now I'm uncertain if Chapter 19 or 20 will be the last one after all.

Meanwhile, a friendly reminder that my latest creative effort: "The Sound of Obedience" within GHOST BOY, VOLUME 2 is now available from Airship 27 in both print and e-book formats.

Better get back to writing now.
See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
27 September, 2015

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 20, 2015

ANTHOLOGIES, ANTHOLOGIES, AND MORE ANTHOLOGIES

This past week's creative output has all been on anthologies.

FIRST, I proofread the last story for the Super Swingin' Hero 1968 Special, coming soon from Mechanoid Press, that I have been helping Jim Beard out with.
A prose homage to the late Silver Age of comic book history, this anthology will feature the creative talents of Lisa M. Collins, Chuck Miller, Robert Kennedy, Thomas Deja, Sam Grafford, Bonnie Sterling, Mark Halegua, Jim Beard, myself, and the legendary DAVID MICHELINIE!

No, you did not misread that last name.

SECOND, I am currently working on my contribution to the Tommy Hancock benefit anthology from Airship 27: The Legends of New Pulp.
As far as I know, and Captain Ron Fortier at A27 can correct me if I'm wrong, while enrollment on the project is closed, there are over 60 people signed up to contribute their creative talents in a benefit anthology to help Tommy and his family out with his medical bills.
At this point, I am a little beyond the half way point of the 4000 word minimum requirement. While I don't know what the exact final total will be (yet), I will definitely be finishing the story under the 8000 word maximum.

Afraid I don't know the release dates for the above books yet, but when I do...

Meanwhile, there was a third possible anthology that I might have contributed to in order to help someone else, but the person behind it has a narrow set of submission parameters for that project, and unfortunately I don't have anything that currently qualifies.
I wish both the project and the person it is supposed to benefit well.


So what does the week ahead hold in store?
Other than the fact that today's both the Summer Solstice AND Father's Day, the only thing I know for sure is that I'll be continuing work on my story for the Hancock benefit anthology.

Hope you have a great week, and I'll see you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
(Not counting the subtitle, Anthologies was used once, anthology 5 times)
21 June, 2015

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING JUNE 13, 2015

ON CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE AND OTHER ANTHOLOGIES...

I've started subtitling these Progress Reports, when appropriate.
Meanwhile, I'm sure that this will come as no surprise, but I am temporarily suspending work on ALPHA, BOOK 2: WAYWARD SON.

WHY?

While I would of had to pause long enough to proofread the last short story for the superhero anthology at Mechanoid Press I've been helping Jim Beard with, I have promised to contribute a story to the benefit anthology for Tommy Hancock.

Tommy Hancock, in better days

Now, in case you missed the news when I posted it Friday, Tommy has taken ill.
My Editor-In-Chief at Pro Se Productions has a worse case of Congestive Heart Failure than I suffered back in late 2003.

For those unfamiliar with the term, Congestive Heart Failure occurs when fluid builds up in the chest cavity, compressing the heart and making that precious organ work harder to keep you alive.
A healthy heart should (obviously) be at 100%.
My heart was forced down into the low 30s.
Tommy's heart is currently somewhere in the 20s.

With this being a seriously life altering event, even though the patient can get (somewhat) better in time, the heart will never be 100% ever again.
I managed to get back into the mid-30s, but things are vastly different now than the way they used to be.
I can't lift more than 10 pounds, which is significant considering I worked for over 20 years in nothing but physical labor jobs. I have to stay as low sodium, sugar free, and caffeine free as possible; and there is even the occasional day when I still have to take an afternoon nap.

Now, why am I talking about my situation and not Tommy's in more detail?
Basically because I have already shared what little I do know and can with you, while the rest is between Tommy, his family, and his doctor(s).

HOWEVER, I can repeat and expand upon what I mentioned in Friday's post. That the call has gone out to every creative person in the New Pulp (a term that Tommy coined) community if they would like to pitch in and contribute to a benefit book to help cover Tommy's medical expenses, because unless you're lucky enough to have a regular job and decent insurance, those bills mount up fast!

At last count, according to Ron Fortier at Airship 27, there have already been over 60(!) people who have answered the call to help, including me.
Everyone is working for free, and ALL proceeds from both hardcover and Kindle sales of The Legends of New Pulp (working title) anthology will go to the Hancocks to help them out with their expenses.
The deadline for submissions is September 1. Actual release date of anthology to be announced.

I must admit, I find it quite nice when a community can rally around a common cause.
I just wish the rest of the world could do so more often.

Well, I better get back to writing.
See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
15 June, 2015

A BENEFIT ANTHOLOGY FOR TOMMY HANCOCK

Okay folks, Tommy Hancock, my friend and Editor-In-Chief at Pro Se has taken ill. Details below, but the call is going out to all writers and artists in the New Pulp community to pitch in and lend the man a hand.
If you qualify and are interested, keep reading.
If not, please wish Tommy well and go on about your day.

LEGENDS OF NEW PULP FICTION

A benefit anthology for Tommy Hancock

Airship 27 Productions is extremely happy to announce their newest project will be a very special New Pulp Fiction anthology to benefit New Pulp publisher/editor/writer Tommy Hancock.  Tommy was recently hospitalized and diagnosed with having congestive heart failure.  In a recent to letter to friends and colleagues, Tommy elaborated on his condition and the challenges ahead on his road to recovery.

Within hours, writer Jaime Ramos approached Ron Fortier, Managing Editor of Airship 27 Productions about the possibilities of producing a one-of-a-kind New Pulp anthology that would benefit Tommy and his family and help defray some of the medical bills they will be accruing in the weeks and months ahead. Fortier was immediately receptive and the two will share co-editing credits on the project.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS TO BOTH WRITERS AND ARTISTS.

If you are a published New Pulp writer or artist and would like to contribute to this benefit anthology, you are asked to contact Fortier and request the book’s guidelines and set deadline for both story and artwork.  Note, this being an Airship 27 Production, it will feature interior illustrations for each and every story in the anthology.  Also important, this is a call for new stories, not reprints.  Once the book is assembled, it will be available at Amazon in both hard copy and on Kindle.  All profits from the sale of the book will go directly to Tommy and his family.

This is an opportunity for the entire New Pulp community to come together as a family that truly cares for one another.  Again, interested creators should contact Fortier at (Airship27@comcast.net) to sign on and request the official guidelines.

PRO SE PRESS MISSION STATEMENT FOR 2015 AND BEYOND!

As part of National Novel month here in the United States, Tommy Hancock, the co-founder of Pro Se Productions; has asked all his contributors to share with their readers the company's mission statement for 2015 and beyond.
Considering that Pro Se is home to HUGH MONN, PRIVATE DETECTIVE and ALPHA the superhero by yours truly; I'm turning the rest of this post over to Mister Hancock.

INNOVATIVE GENRE FICTION AND NEW PULP PUBLISHER ESTABLISHES AGGRESSIVE MISSION AND SCHEDULE FOR 2015 FORWARD

By Tommy Hancock of Pro See Productions

Pro Se Productions, a publishing house based in Batesville, Arkansas, announced today plans for future projects and a more streamlined focus in its overall mission.

Established in 2010, Pro Se Productions entered into publishing focusing on a style of fiction that would come to be known by many as ‘New Pulp’. Inspired by the usually fast paced, plot-centric tales peopled with larger than life characters published in Pulp magazines of the early 20^th Century, New Pulp as a style pays homage to classic Pulp, but also often brings a modern relevance as well as other aspects to new works. Although not the first publisher focusing on New Pulp, Pro Se quickly established itself as a leader in the niche market that existed for stories of this type.

Since its inception, Pro Se Productions has published over 150 individual titles, either in print, digitally, or both. Pro Se is known for publishing a variety of authors and artists, from previously unpublished creators to New York Times bestselling authors. The company has also established several different imprints, including author centered lines, an imprint focused on genre fiction for young readers, a nonfiction/academic imprint both studying New Pulp and offering facts and resource materials for fans and authors, and others. One of Pro Se’s newest and strongest innovations has been the development of the Pro Se Single Shot and Pro Se Single Shot Signature lines, providing digital only short fiction – stand alone stories as well as series, serialized novels, and author focused imprints – for 99 cents each.

As a New Pulp publisher, Pro Se has thrown a wide net regarding the stories it accepts and publishes, carrying representatives of multiple genres in its catalog. In doing this, Pro Se has become identified as a Publisher of Genre Fiction as well.

“Pro Se Productions,” says Tommy Hancock, Partner in and Editor-in-Chief of Pro Se, “is most definitely a publisher of New Pulp. The company is also considered a Genre Fiction publisher as well. The two terms aren’t mutually exclusive. The bottom line and Pro Se’s mission from here on out is really simple. We intend to publish quality Genre Fiction, the best of the best, and a fair share of what we publish will be action adventure oriented, regardless of genre, and will appeal to not only New Pulp fans hopefully, but classic Pulp fans, heroic fiction fans, and overall just fans in general.”

“Pro Se,” continues Hancock, “intends to take the type of works we publish, both past and future, not only to the audience we know exists for them, but to new fans, to markets most New Pulp or general Genre Fiction publishers have yet to tap. We’ll be focusing on genre specific markets for the books that fit in them, but we also intend to introduce fan bases that didn’t know they already enjoyed the sort of work that writers and artists who create for Pro Se produce. The diversity Pro Se already has in our library is a good platform from which to grow. And that won’t simply be done just because we want it to be. In the coming months, Pro Se will be experimenting with different ways of packaging current and future works as well as innovations in distribution and promotion. We’ve spent the last four years building a company that we are proud of. Now it’s time to show as much of the world as possible why they should be, as readers, a part of what Pro Se is doing.”

One major area of focus for Pro Se in the immediate future is the Pro Se Single Shot and Single Shot Signature lines. “The thing,” says Hancock, “about getting what a company publishes into the hands of as many fans as possible is that it has to be accessible and affordable. The Pro Se digital singles most definitely qualify in both ways and also feature some of the best writers in Genre Fiction today. We’ve also structured the lines in such a way that, within the next two months, we will be making several announcements related to various ways to access the Single Shots, potentially at even a better price than the current 99 cents on average. Much like classic Pulp magazines of the past, the Pro Se Single Shot lines have the potential to be the gateway for new fans into Genre Fiction and perhaps the strongest arm of Pro Se in the future.”

Pro Se Productions is committing to an aggressive schedule in 2015 and beyond. Known for publishing up to four books or more a month in the last 18 months, Pro Se has no plans to slow down. The company is no longer taking unsolicited submissions until January 1, 2016. The purpose of this is to focus on the myriad of works already scheduled for 2015, a lineup that is impressive, to say the least.

“To list everything,” says Hancock, “would take pages and pages. We will be transparent in coming months, making multiple announcements about projects and events. Pro Se Productions is proud to say, though, that we will be bringing fans not only the best authors we already publish, but new names as well. Some they may recognize, such as John Lutz, Robert Randisi, and Richard Lee Byers, and others may be new to them, like Charlotte Knox, Raymond Masters, and Spencer Loeb. H. David Blalock will have a collection of short stories published by Pro Se Productions. Author Paul Bishop is developing a new series of crime fiction and Pro Se is proud to be the home for it. Van Allen Plexico will also have a much stronger and welcome presence with Pro Se in 2015 and beyond. New Pulp concepts, like Derrick Ferguson’s Dillon, will receive the academic treatment in our PulpStudies imprint.”

“Pro Se will also continue to bring the best of classic fiction back in new stories, something that we have been doing already in our Pulp Obscura imprint. Beginning in 2015, Pro Se will have a new imprint focused on bringing classic public domain characters back to life in new stories as well as continuing to do so through Pulp Obscura. Pro Se will also continue to work with companies like Heroic Publishing and creators like Barry Reese and Gary Phillips and publish licensed works for them as well as others to be announced later.”

“Most assuredly,” guarantees Hancock, “we will also continue to bring you the best authors in Genre Fiction, as we have been doing for four years. More work from Nancy Hansen, Logan L. Masterson, Kevin Rodgers, Lee Houston, Jr., and other Pro Se stalwarts is definitely on the way. Put simply, Pro Se Productions will continue to produce the best fiction in multiple genres from quality creators possible.”

For more information on this article or Pro Se in general, email Morgan McKay, Pro Se’s Director of Corporate Operations, at directorofcorporateoperations@prose-press.com.

To learn more about Pro Se Productions, go to www.prose-press.com. Like Pro Se on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProSeProductions.

PROGRESS REPORT: WEEK ENDING FEBRUARY 22, 2014

I really hate to do this, but today I must start this post on a sad note. ♪

Cover by Sean E. Ali

With the just released issue 20, Pro Se Presents has ended its run.
Sales unfortunately did this noble experiment in.
Now historically, anthologies have always been a "mixed bag" from one issue to the next; but as story editor, I tried to include something for everyone in each issue.
Might not have pleased everybody every time, but no one can say we (Pro Se) didn't try.

The last issue includes:
"Aloha McCoy: Peace Broke" by Ken Janssens
"Silver and Gold" by Ethan Nahte
"Life in Pictures" by Kate Beeton
"The Golden Ticket" by Melissa Robinson
"The Idea Book" by Patti Boeckman, wife of legendary pulp author Charles Boeckman
and the cover featured novella:
"Robin Hood and the Maiden in the Tower" by I. A. Watson

Over the course of the magazine, it has been my privilege to work with the above, along with the likes of Chuck Miller, Jilly Paddock, Kevin Rodgers, Nancy A. Hansen, Ron Fortier, Teel James Glenn, Aaron Smith, Erwin K. Roberts, and so many more that I just don't have the room to list them all.
Special thanks however must be given to Tommy Hancock, who's vision to attempt such a magazine in today's market gave writers a chance at seeing their work published.

Meanwhile, in other news, The Free Choice E-zine is doing well and I have finally finished that short story that I've been mentioning for the last few weeks and am back on Alpha, Book 2: Wayward Son.

See you around the Internet.
Lee Houston, Junior
23 February, 2014