Yesterday, Friday, was a mixed bag. In the positive spectrum, sales were strong, we were thrilled to get The Rifter® #51 to the printer (actually it was finished late Thursday night). We also got the onlilne Weekly Update out, my writing on Rifts® Heroes of the Megaverse® has been inspired, I got everything ready for the next Palladium Auction which starts on the Fourth of July (6 PM), I participated in three conference calls, and took care of a number of business matters. I also got to visit with freelance writer pals, Carmen Bellaire and Jeffry Scott Hansen. Both signed some books for Grab Bags and it was good to chat with them awhile as we worked in the warehouse.
We also shipped out something like 30 Christmas in July Grab Bags on Friday alone, and probably another 40-50 in the days prior. The Grab Bags are a lot of work, but always make me smile and help to put me in a good mood. We do our best to make each Grab Bag fun, special and worthwhile. I think folks will be pleased (and a few surprised) with what’s gone out so far.
On negative side, Friday just FLEW by; 9 hours felt more like four. (I spent the first half of the morning running errands, so I only put in 9 hours at the office.) It was madness. There were some small problems to be dealt with, legal matters to discuss, and the work pace was staggering. Of course, I didn’t do any of the above alone, the whole office was hopping and Wayne, Alex, Julius and Kathy were all working hard to get everthing done.
I spoke with my son, Adam, who was having a rough time dealing with his Grandfather’s illness (bladder cancer). He was an emotional wreck. We spoke for awhile and I think I helped calm him down. He hopes to drive up and visit his Grandpa (my Dad, Hank), in the next week or two. I hope he does, as I think he needs to do so to come to terms with the situation. As I was driving home I got a call from an old pal. Despite the fact that he is going to have to file bankruptcy, he was pretty jovial and we had a very nice talk.
I’m in the office today – Saturday – on a beautiful summer day just writing away on Heroes of the Megaverse®. I’ve worked through a couple of problem spots and I’m really liking where things are going.
I hope to get a lot of writing done over the next three days of the 4th of July holiday. Don’t feel bad for me working over the holiday, I’m enjoying the phone not ringing and finally getting a chance to WRITE. Just write. Not have to deal with problems or staff, or fans, or legal issues, or anything else. Just write to my heart’s content without interruption. I get to lose myself in my writing. Ahhhhh, it’s so nice.
I hope the rest of the Palladium crew is relaxing and having fun. They deserve it. Likewise, I hope all of you enjoy the long weekend with family and loved ones. Take care and keep those imaginations burning bright.
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Game Designer and Son
Palladium Books, 29 years of publishing role-playing games
© Copyright July 3, 2010 Palladium Books Inc. All rights reserved.
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. Heroes Unlimited™, Beyond the Supernatural, Dead Reign, Warpath, Shemarrian Nation, 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.