It was great to have Wayne Smith back from layoff, though we worked the poor guy to the bone.
Sales remained strong for the fourth week in a row. That’s great news if we can maintain it.
People are pumped up about the Christmas Surprise Packages and all the loot we are packing into them. Our pleasure. We have gotten a lot of nice comments and words of appreciation, praise and support.
My Dad was especially chipper this past Wednesday when I took him for his chemotherapy. We spent four hours together and shared breakfast, some good laughs and good conversation. He seemed to find my close encounter with the law while taking photos of zombies on the railroad track particularly amusing, and made me tell the story two or three times. (You can read about it in my Murmur entitled Who will bail us out of jail? And NO we did not get arrested or ticketed, we were just told to pack up and go home. Whew.)
The Rifter® #48 arrived at the Palladium warehouse on Thursday, and we shipped out books to distributors and subscribers that same day.
Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® RPG, 2nd Printing arrived at the Palladium warehouse today. This core rule book continues to be a fan fave, and we have several new books in the pipeline for it. We have big plans for the Robotech® game line. I spoke to a freelance writer just yesterday who is excited to come on board and write new sourcebooks for the line. Cool.
On the down side of things, I got very little writing done on Dead Reign™ Sourcebook Two: Dark Places™. We think what’s written will tickle gamers to no end, but getting it finished and dealing with a hundred other things these past few weeks has been tough. Gotta get Dimensional Outbreak™, Heroes of the Megaverse®, and Robotech® Marines out by year’s end! The delays are frustrating and disappointing for all of us.
I was also bummed out by a flurry of untimely bills and a couple of unhappy individuals. I had expected this to happen, but it came at a bad time. While the release of new product and the 2009 Christmas Surprise Package offer have helped to boost sales considerably, we are still playing catch up after two and a half months of abysmal sales.
I try to sound cheerful and positive in most of my Murmurs, Press Releases and podcasts, because . . . well, we are very hopeful and positive. Palladium’s future remains full of potential. The writing on the second draft screenplay for the Rifts® movie starts next week and we think it could really go someplace. There are other things boiling behind the scenes too, and we think we are kicking out some pretty awesome sourcebooks. The problem is, nothing is easy and it all takes time. We all want to see that darn potential realized tomorrow! I know I do. Unfortunately, that’s out of our hands.
To make matters worse, it seems like every time Palladium makes some progress, a new problem, issue or crisis pops up to hamper Palladium’s recovery. The most recent storm to weather has been the Global Economic Crisis. With your support, Palladium is hanging in there and sales have jumped the last few weeks, but it has been a rough year with all the ups and downs, personally and professionally. Thank heavens, right now we are experiencing an upswing. I pray it continues.
Nobody but my family and the crew here at Palladium (my extended family) knows how much Palladium’s debt and money woes weighs on me everyday. I hate owing money. Especially to freelance artists and writers who need the money to live, and the wonderful people who lent me money to keep Palladium alive during the Crisis of Treachery. It stinks to be slooooow pay with so many people. Worse, Palladium’s cash problems have strained a few business relationships and friendships. There are days where it feels like no matter what we do, it’s just not enough. It’s depressing, frustrating and stressful. It brings us down some days and makes us all feel weary to the bone.
That happened a few days this week. It is funny how two or three incidents can bring you down and let the bad stuff overshadow the good. I try to keep a good perspective and make sure the guys do too, but it has been rough going at Palladium for more years now than I want to even think about. That having been said, we are starting to make some real headway again. And I, for one, have a lot for which to be grateful.
So you have read some good things, and you just read some bad. Now let me focus on more GOOD. Here are just a few example of what keeps us going at Palladium Books:
98% of the people Palladium owes money to are willing to wait to get paid without complaint or pressure. In the case of the many fine friends who lent Palladium money during the Crisis of Treachery, that is a lot of money. Most understand our situation and wait. They are more understanding and patient than you would imagine. The same holds true for many of Palladium’s freelancers, some of whom have insisted we defer payment until Palladium is on a firmer footing. My thanks to every last one of you crazy, wonderful people.
My father, despite feeling weak and scared as he fights bladder cancer (and is hopefully winning that battle), insisted on coming to Palladium and signing books for the fans who order the 2009 Christmas Surprise Package — he has signed more than 700 books and vows to come in at least one more time to sign more. I am so proud of my Dad.
Mike Mumah, who was just in the hospital last week for congestive heart failure, emailed me yesterday to say he had finished his illustration for the 2009 Special Print Set available only to those of you who request it in their Christmas Surprise Package (only 500 sets available). I couldn’t believe it. Thanks Mike.
Mark Dudley, permanently laid off from Chrysler, has been dropping by Palladium to make sure “we” are doing okay. He also came in to sign a couple hundred books this week and did an illustration for the 2009 Special Print Set too. He’s coming in to sign 500 prints on Saturday.
Brian Manning, Allen Manning, Nick Bradshaw, Kent Burles, Mark Dudley, me and maybe a few other artists are donating their time to do convention-style sketches for the Christmas Surprise Package so some fans can get original art for Christmas. It was Brian Manning’s idea and several other people jumped on the band wagon. These sketches are simple, but they are original, unpublished works that are cool, one-of-a-kind and are taking up hours of these guy’s time that could be spent with family or making artwork to sell. How awesome is that?
Fan generosity. We usually get a handful of these every year, this is the first of 2009. It is a fan who ordered a Christmas Surprise Package with the instructions that I send it to somebody who needs it more than him: Someone in military service overseas, or someone who lost their job, or lost their books in a fire, flood, etc. How cool is that? Thank you J.M. in Glenn Ferry, Idaho. It is people like you and the multitude of Palladium fans who have supported Palladium and their fellow gamers for years and years who make all our effort worthwhile. It is all of our friends and fans who help us stay positive and focused, and excited about the books we create even when times are rough. You are the best, and because of you, I’m feeling positive, hopeful and proud. Proud to be part of a community like ours.
I just wanted you to know all of us at Palladium Books appreciate you, our fans, and never take you for granted. Thank you for helping me – all of us – keep on trekkin’. Game on.
– Kevin Siembieda, Publisher and Fan Boy
You keep ordering them and we’ll keep signing books, pulling, packing and shipping them out.
Those requesting the Special Print Set have been put on the side to ship later next week when all 4-5 signed prints will be in. Sorry for the delay, but you will not be disappointed. 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.
C.P. in El Cajon, California, writes: I look forward to this magnificent event all year long! Your creative ideas and amazing artwork have inspired me since I was a kid.
R.P. in Las Vegas, Nevada, writes: You guys are doing a phenomenal job. I’ve been playing Palladium since the early 1990s and I absolutely LOVE the style of the game play and the game mechanics. Wonderful job, folks.
J.S. in Saint Peters, Missouri, writes: . . . I just wanted to say thanks for this amazing offer. I’ve been playing Palladium for about a year and a half now and have not had the money to get any books for myself. But with this offer I will be able to at least get a few of the books we use. Thanks again. All I can say is that I hope the best for you and your families. A customer for Life.
E.M. in Sherman, Texas, writes: . . . As always, thanks for all you do and keep the great games coming.
J.C.M. in Chicago, Illinois, writes: Thanx for the last (Grab Bag) order. You guys are on point. I can’t wait for this next one to come in. Thanx again, you all are doing a great job and my buddies and I are rooting for you. By the way, WELCOME BACK WAYNE SMITH!!!
The horror issue arrived at Palladium on Thursday and has shipped. Pre-orders were a bit higher than usual, so this might be one of those issues that sells out faster than most. It is certainly packed with adventure, monsters and fun role-playing source material.
The Rifter® is your doorway to unlimited imagination and numerous Palladium role-playing worlds. It offers new heroes, powers, weapons, magic and adventure for your games. It presents new villains, monsters and dangers to battle, and new ideas to consider.
Sorry folks, other demands on Kevin’s time have delayed the release of this title for a week or two. Nobody is more disappointed than us. Fear not, it is coming soon.
A new chapter in the Zombie Apocalypse with additional resources, hiding places, modes of travel away from zombies, adventure ideas, zombies, other dangers and random tables.
When there is no place to hide and the dead are everywhere, where do you go? Who can you turn to? What happens next? What lurks in dark places?
Old Ones™ is back in print, as a special printing available exclusively via Palladium’s online store.
Old Ones™ is an epic sourcebook packed full of information, people, places and ideas. Details about the Old Ones, the Minotaur R.C.C. (an ancient minion of the Old Ones), the Monk Scholar and Illusionist, 50 cities and towns mapped and described, adventure ideas and the epic Place of Magic adventure.
Author Carl Gleba has created another masterpiece brimming with ideas, new demons, new Deevils, new whacked out spaceships, new magic spells, more about Phase World, Center, the escalating Minion War and much more. Dimensional Outbreak™ is another exciting and surprise filled book in the Minion War™ series as war spills into Phase World®, the city of Center and the Three Galaxies™. The epic scale of the Minion War just got bigger and even the Worlds of Warlock, the Splugorth and Naruni are involved.
The core rule book you need to play. Second printing. This is the game that has restarted it all.
Jason Marker is done writing this exciting new Robotech® sourcebook. Next step is a quick edit and sending it off to Harmony Gold for their approval. This is another sourcebook jam-packed with new O.C.C.s, mecha, weapons, gear, and ideas to send your characters on amazing new adventures.
Most agree the Book of Heroes is one of the greatest magic artifacts in the Megaverse. Only one copy is known to exist, and everyone wants to get their hands on it – Demons, Deevils, the Splugorth, the Dominators, the Kreeghor, the United Worlds of Warlock and everyone in between. For it is said that he who wields the “Power of the 2000" can rule the universe.
Once protected by the Cosmo-Knights, the book has gone missing. No one knows its fate or the true power contained within its List of Heroes. No one except YOU – the new keepers of this legendary Rune book.
The book has met with excitement and strong sales. It looks great, is a fun read, and has plenty of new spells and stuff to drop into your campaigns. Get yours today.
The Heart of Magic™ is packed with new information, details and new insight about magic, P.P.E., the Palladium World, Men of Magic, Wizards, Warlocks, Priests, Familiars, true names, apprenticeship, scroll conversion, learning magic, new and different magic O.C.C.s, new Wizard and Warlock spells, and data that expands, defines and clarifies a number of aspects about the practice of magic in the Palladium Fantasy setting. Easy to adapt to Rifts® (just change S.D.C. damage to M.D. and you are ready to go).
Halloween is almost here and after seeing a lot of activity in September, poor Kathy Simmons has seen sales slump due to the economy. She’s gotten a lot of hits and questions, but actual Halloween sales have been slow this year. (We hear the same thing from Halloween USA.)
That’s okay, Kathy is already at work making adorable Fall & Thanksgiving scarecrows, and just wait till you see her Christmas items.
Life-size Halloween props are still available. Check out her Ebay store at queenofghouls.com. Note: Kathy is still with Palladium Books and is working hard to process your orders every day.
© Copyright 2009 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.
This press release may be reprinted, reposted, linked and shared for the sole purpose of advertising, promotion and sales solicitation.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, The Palladium Fantasy Role-Playing Game®, Megaverse®, Nightbane®, The Mechanoids®, The Mechanoid Invasion®, Coalition Wars® and After the Bomb® are Registered Trademarks of Palladium Books Inc. Beyond the Supernatural, Dead Reign, Heroes Unlimited, Ninjas & Superspies, Minion War, Mysteries of Magic, The Three Galaxies, Warpath, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.