I’ve been told by friends, fans and staff, that the Murmurs from the Megaverse shouldn’t just be news and hype and details about the business, but personal thoughts and emotions too. This Murmur is one of the latter.
Things are looking very promising at Palladium thanks to our wonderful fans around the world, but we need to get NEW product finished and on the shelves! Online sales are starting to drop back to normal levels, understandable considering how high they’ve been the past 8-9 weeks (and thank you very much), but not good news. Like I said, we need new product to sustain sales and fan interest.
Problem is, we don’t have the flippin’ time. We’ve only just caught up with Megaverse United prints (up to number 1576 as of June 7, 2006) and this being the convention season has us busy plotting con appearances, making travel arrangements and plotting our strategies and promotions. Then there’s the day to day business stuff, meetings and phone calls with freelancers, doing contracts, plotting schedules, talking to the printer, staff meetings . . . and on and on.
There are also a half-dozen projects going on behind the scene that could be good for Palladium, a couple, even huge and insure our future. Thing is, we have to spend all kinds of time discussing terms, contracts, potential problems, and provide or develop data, ideas, info, graphics, suggestions, input and brainstorming sessions just to see if the project is worth (or capable) of attaining lift-off, let alone cutting a formal deal and then making it happen. (Sorry, nothing we can disclose yet).
This all takes time. Time spent on projects that are 3-5 years out or which might never happen. Time stolen from our current creative needs at Palladium, but which could be vital for our future.
Arrgh. I love the business end of this stuff. The wheeling and dealing, concept development and the potential of it all. But I love writing and drawing even more. I hunger to be writing again. It’s such a frustrating Catch 22. Dang! I mean so much of what's going on is exciting and wonderful! Stuff that could keep us going for years (if it pans out). But we're log-jammed in the short run, and frustrated. I’m dying to get back into writing and editing. I need to finish my text and fine tuning for Rifts Madhaven, I need to dive into PU3 and Rifter #35, and I long to write Tome Grotesque, Arcanum and the new version of Rifts® Sourcebook One. We need to get the books done and out as soon as possible (without sacrificing quality), and I’ve intended to start writing for two-weeks now, but I’m buried in other things demanding my attention. All of us at Palladium are in the same boat.
Our helpful and energetic, volunteer intern (and freelance writer) Brandon Aten has been a dynamo and a godsend. But only two days into things he’s been surprised at everything going on and has already experienced what Alex M. has dubbed “Palladium Time.” A hideous syndrome in which time passes at an alarming accelerated pace. Or to quote Brandon: “What?! It’s three o’clock? It can’t be 3:00 PM already!!! It can’t!”
I guess the point is, please keep the faith. We’re doing the best we can and going as fast as possible. We’re frustrated too. With a little luck, some long days, and some help from Brandon, we’ll have Madhaven out by the end of June and other books coming in rapid succession. Thanks for your understanding.
I’m knocking off early tonight (wanted to be outta here a stinking hour ago) to celebrate Kathy’s birthday, especially since I’ll be working all weekend in an attempt to finish up Rifts® Madhaven. She’s such a great gal, so understanding.
Enough murmuring. Gotta run.
Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, boy friend and frustrated writer