Good news: Sales shot back up last night! Whew. My thanks to everyone ordering product. I hope this weekend's sales are as strong as last week's.
Bad News: One of the furnace heaters in the back of the warehouse isn’t working. Another problem and another bill we’ll have to deal with. No, the landlord is not responsible for its repair.
Good news: Jeffry Scott Hansen dropped by and gave us each a copy of his historically based new book, Digging for the Truth: The Final Resting Place of Jimmy Hoffa. I’ve been in the loop every step of the way as Jeff investigated, wrote his book and formed his theory about the disappearance of the infamous Teamster leader Jimmy Hoffa and why nobody can find his body. It’s a fun and interesting read. Of course, I must recommend you buy this book. It is available from Amazon.com for $9.95 retail. Good news for me, I got my copy free, and it is signed by the author and my pal, Jeff.
Bad news: My father’s long-time friend and roommate (they take care of each other), Arlene, is still in the hospital and in a bad way. She has chronic ITP (Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura) a serious and rare autoimmune bleeding disorder complicated by Lupus, low blood pressure and low white blood cell count. The doctors are trying to get her back on her feet and figure out some sort of treatment regime that will work, otherwise . . . things are not good.
Dad was down and in tears last night. I did my best to comfort him. I guess he’ll be staying with me longer than either of us expected. I worry for him and Arlene, and pray the outcome is a happy one for all.
Good news: Overall, my Dad is handling the situation with reasonable good cheer and working hard to stay positive. That’s huge for him as he tends to be a “the glass is half empty” kinda guy. Although the sleeping arrangements stink (my couch is too short) and there are demands placed on my time, I’m enjoying having Dad around. After all, he and I have always been close, he’s 78 years old, fighting bladder cancer, and I don’t know how much more quality time I may have with him. It’s been bittersweet but mostly nice.
Bad news: Been soooo busy with Dad, business and Christmas Grab Bags that it’s 6:30 PM Friday, as I finish writing this Murmur, and I feel physically and emotionally drained. Worse, I feel like there is a giant pile of work and slipping deadlines looming over my head. I'll be working as much as I can over the weekend.
Good news: Alex and I gathered and bagged the first 100 print sets, as well as some more original artwork for Surprise Packages. That means folks waiting for the print set or original artist sketches (only a handful of those who ask can be sent original art, so make sure you include other items in you list of wants), can finally be packed up and shipped out!
I think people will enjoy the prints. There are only 530 printed. The set has a value of $40.00 – $10.00 each plus a fifth bonus print. Each print is signed by the artist and suitable for framing.
1. Mike Mumah – A Super-Christmas
2. Mark Dudley – Dimensional Outbreak in Hangar Nine
3. Nick Bradshaw – Rumble Time
4. and me, Kevin Siembieda – Santa Clause (traditional)
5. Bonus print: Me again – Santa after the Zombie Apocalypse
Note: Only people who ask for the 2009 Special Print Set will be considered for getting one.
Because so many folks have inquired about being able to purchase the Special 2009 Christmas Surprise Package Print Set, I’m considering offering 20-30 for sale in the online store. Probably for $40.00 (numbers under 100). The Palladium crew, the contributing artists and select other Palladiumites got the first 30 prints. The rest of them are for YOU. So ask and you may receive this very cool collector’s item. The art for is great, if I do say so myself.
Available on a first come, first served basis.More good news: I expect to work all weekend on Dark Places. Alex and Wayne are editing away, and we’re excited about it and other Palladium products coming your way.
Something fun: Nick Bradsaw did seven pieces of original art that he calls “The Seven Skulls of Nick Bradshaw” as some of his Grab Bag sketches. They are all pretty wacked out and cool. I loved Number Three so much that I called Nick and asked him if I could have it. He said yes, so I’m a happy camper. Meanwhile, six of you can get the others in this mini-series of original art.
I know, I’m taking that sketch out of the hands of a fan, but I’ll do a couple extra Kevin Siembieda drawings to make up for it. I already have several grinning Siembieda dragons wearing a Santa Hat, inked and given a splash of color. Just ask.
Have a nice weekend, and all of you try to stay positive in these topsy turvy, up and down times.
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Game Designer, Son and Surrogate Santa
Palladium Books®, Inc. – 28 years of RPG Publishing
© Copyright October 23, 2009 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
Rifts®, The Rifter®, RECON®, Splicers®, Palladium Books®, Phase World®, Palladium Books®, 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. Heroes Unlimited™, Beyond the Supernatural, Dead Reign, Warpath, Shemarrian Nation, Dimensional Outbreak, Fleets of the Three Galaxies, Mysteries of Magic, and other published book titles, names, slogans and likenesses are trademarks of Palladium Books Inc., and Kevin Siembieda.
Robotech® and Robotech® The Shadow Chronicles® are Registered Trademarks of Harmony Gold USA, Inc.