Palladium Books® – Press Release – October 23, 2009
By Kevin Siembieda
As I grumbled about in one of my recent Murmurs from the Megaverse, sales have started to fluctuate up and down a bit again, which makes for an emotionally harrowing week. We’ve all come to watch the day by day sales, so when they are high we feel positive, when they slip we start to worry.
Things are still rough, but we are getting through as best we can.
It is a bit frustrating, because the Christmas Surprise Packages are part of the reason books are getting delayed. The Surprise Packages are fun, create excitement, boost sales and make us and the recipients smile, but at the same time they drain our time from working on books. Funny, but every year we seem to forget how much time Christmas Surprise Packages (the signing of books, making and signing prints, selecting which books to ship, packaging and shipping) takes. We spend roughly HALF the week on them, and we are super-organized and efficient on how we do them. We have it down to a science. Don’t get me wrong, we love doing the Surprise Packages and welcome them. I’m thrilled that the folks ordering are so happy with them, as we try to make each special. Heck, we would miss doing them if they weren’t a continuing Palladium tradition.
Dad and me. I’m sorry to report that my Dad’s friend and apartment-mate, Arlene, is back in the hospital and seriously ill. That means my Dad has been back with me at my apartment since Monday morning. He’s a bit down and worried about Arlene (they’ve been friends for a long time), but hanging in there. His Wednesday chemotherapy treatment went fine, and he only has two more to go. Then it’s wait three months and pray that the cancer is gone and stays gone. As for his friend, Arlene, the doctors don’t know how long it will take to get her stable and home this time, so Dad may be hanging with me and the guys for a while. We’re all worried about his friend and wish her our best. Dad’s spirits are down and he’s pretty worried about her. He tends to be a worrywart as it is. My time has been divided between work and caring for my Dad, which has increased my stress level and decreased my work output, but hanging in there.
Hollywood keeps knocking on Palladium’s door. I got an email today from an independent film writer/actor inquiring about the status of the Rifts® Movie with Jerry Bruckheimer Films and the Walt Disney Company. I told him there was nothing new to report on that front. We are still waiting.
Meanwhile, I have been playing telephone tag with a small, independent Hollywood movie producer who is interested in a Palladium RPG line other than Rifts®. I haven’t spoken to him yet, so I don’t know how serious or interested he may really be, but it’s cool to have Hollywood taking some hard looks at Palladium Books and our intellectual properties. I hope to talk to him in the next day or two, so I may have more to report in our next Press Release.
I keep joking around that I want to see Palladium Books become the Marvel Comics of gaming. You know, to have one game book or game line after another get turned into cool, major motion pictures. Spider-Man and Iron Man quality, of course. You never know, it could happen.
I just wish it would happen SOON.
I wish I could say Dead Reign™ Sourcebook Two: Dark Places™ was done and at the printers. We’re getting there. Cover’s done and posted for the first time in this press release. The cover is amazing. The artist, E.M. Gist and his wife think it may be his best zombie illustration ever. I might have to agree. It rocks. I’m getting there with finishing Dark Places™. Need to wrap it up. As soon as I’m done with it, I dive into Dimensional Outbreak™.
I guess Palladium’s roller coaster ride continues with its ups and downs. That’s okay, we’re here until the ride comes to a complete stop or reaches new heights of amazement. We’re rooting for the latter of course.
Hang in there with us. New books are coming, and they are better than ever.
– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher and Surrogate Santa
Christmas Surprise Package
We are off to our biggest start in years. Folks love ‘em. Most are jam-packed with $90+ worth of product. You keep ordering them and we’ll keep signing books, pulling, packing and shipping them out.
The Special Print Set is now available upon request. Five special, never before published prints. Limited to a first come, first served basis, only 500 copies, each print signed by the artist. $40.00 value.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the Christmas Surprise Package for birthdays, anniversaries, as well as Christmas gifts for friends or for yourself (hey, you deserve it), as well as a way to fill in those holes in your collection.
The Christmas Surprise Package is ideal for Canada and Overseas Palladium fans, because even with shipping they are paying around the cover price for books, plus getting autographs and other goodies. We highly recommend folks overseas try to take advantage of this opportunity.
For more information and to order, click here.
Some Fan Comments Pulled from Christmas Grab Bags
K. McG. in Lehi, Utah, writes: My son just started playing with me. He’s 8 and loves all the Heroes Unlimited game books I’ve picked up over the years. His first character is the ‘Flaming Habenjero’ and he’s fighting the Atorian Empire. He is looking forward to his first Rifts® scenario sometime soon. Keep fighting the good fight and we hope you are around and successful for years to come.
J.L. in St. Petersburg, Florida, writes: Just wanna thank you guys. So many publishers are moving away from the specific world building that I love. You guys put out some of the best setting material around. It’s an art form that seems to be dying as many game companies seem to be moving more and more to rules intensive books or one book settings. The rich depth of 20 years of Rifts® books cannot be rivaled.
J.R. in Altamonte Springs, Florida, writes: You are doing great. I love the work everyone puts into your games. I hope your dad is ok, as well as you people at Palladium Books. Have a happy holiday and a great New Year.
J.B. in Windsor, Ontario, Canada, writes: Your ideas are unparalleled for their originality, uniqueness, and sheer awesomeness. You guys rock.
