Zeleznik Art Book samples arrived today

[Kevin]

The Zeleznik Art Book "samples" arrived today . . .

. . . and they look even more fantastic than I had hoped for.

These books, the hardcover and soft, both have some of the best color reproduction I have ever seen. The paper quality is top notch and John’s layout is dynamic. Wow.

I am just blown away by this book.

Julius Rosenstein, Palladium’s proofreader and warehouse guru, doesn’t usually buy art books (owns four, all Frank Frazetta), but he said he would definitely buy this book! Jules is usually a pretty good barometer of the fan market. Case in point, he was wishy washy on whether he’d want to buy this book until he actually saw a finished copy. I’m hoping that will be the response of many fans.

Like I keep saying, this not your “average dull art book,” it is bold, bright, dynamic, filled with artwork and fun facts, and looks freakin’ great! Wow, I am so happy with this product! And I think you will be too.

Why an Art Book
One fan wrote and expressed the following concern:

“. . . you're pushing a "photo album of memories" of some new and lots of old art, including covers that your fans already own? On Gamers? Against the advice of your distributors? In a time when a big loss could collapse the company? Your marketing base is not ARTISTS. Your marketing base is GAMERS, who might own a few art books. This kind of risky move right now seems like an unwise choice . . .”

“Yes, NEW PRODUCT drives sales, but old art doesn't qualify. You're rolling the dice, hoping for a Nat 20. Best of luck.”

As I’ve said in the past, I never do anything on a lark or without analyzing every angle thoroughly. Everything Palladium does has a reason behind it. Let me offer some of them on the Art Book.

1. Gamers love artwork. Gamers love John Zeleznik’s artwork. This book is filled with sketches and color comps they have NEVER seen. Plus fun commentary – sorta like the director’s cut or a behind the scenes for a movie. And I think this is one of the “few art books” many gamers will want, and not just Palladium fans, but fans of John Zeleznik as well as fans of science fiction and fantasy art. That’s the point, this book should appeal to more than artists or even gamers, besides, there are a lot of people who love art who are not artists themselves.

2. I appreciate my Distributors, but, surprisingly, they do NOT often have their fingers on the pulse of the market. Here are a few historical examples of product the distributors advised me NOT to publish because they wouldn’t sell and could hurt the company:

a) 1983-1985: SOFT COVER BOOKS! Palladium’s largest distributor at the time feared that our move to doing soft cover books would put Palladium out of business just as we were starting to take off. Soft cover became the industry standard.

b) 1985 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®; never heard of it. Became our first smash hit.

c) 1986 Robotech® – Why when there is already BattleTech? It will never sell. Became our second smash hit.

d) 1989 Robotech® Videotapes – distributor advanced orders were a grand total of 26 copies. Only two distribs ordered any, and they ALL told us how they were not set up to carry videocassettes and that nobody wanted Robotech on tape. 30 days after Palladium advertises the product as a "mail order only" product, Distributors call begging for the product. Palladium made 3 million dollars in two years selling them and it helped to launch the Japanimation market in the days of its infancy.

e) 1990 Rifts® – sounds kinda weird and complicated. Kinda sounds like Torg which isn't selling so well. Palladium sold out its initial press run of 10,000 copies in 3 weeks and sold 45,000 copies in the first 12 months (huge numbers for the RPG industry). It is our best selling game line ever.

3. Risky move? Yes, but like many projects (including all of the above), it is a calculated risk. NOT a shot in the dark, a prayer and a roll of the die hoping for a Natural 20. That would be stupid.

a) If this book tanks, it would hurt, but it would not put Palladium Books out of business.

b) One of the calculated motives for this book is to try to get a larger presence and better distribution in the book trade. The book trade likes “art books” and we think this book will sell in that market, appeal to a wide audience, introduce people to Palladium Books (and maybe they’ll look at our other products), and should do well in the Christmas season.

c) It is a great show piece to Hollywood and videogame types who are drawn to and motivated by powerful visuals.

d) We think many gamers will want and enjoy this book.

e) We think it will do well at conventions where people can flip through it and in time for Christmas when people buy books that are special or a bit outside the norm.

4. And sometimes you have to do a product because it makes your spirit soar. Because it is beautiful and should be made. This art book is such a project. That should never be the only reason – and I’ve passed on many a project that would have been a personal joy, because I didn’t believe it would sell – but when you think it can, you have to do it right, seize that moment, and, yes, take the risk.

I can hardly wait for all of you to see this book. It should arrive on schedule and be available to ship, July 20.

Alex’s reaction: “Wow. Wow. Wooo.” and that was looking at only the first 10 pages! Afterward, parroting the blurb on the back cover, Alex added, “Whew. ‘Take a deep breath,’ you’re not kidding. Wow.”

Hank’s reaction: “Who publishes this?” And when I told him Palladium did, he said: “Great, can I have one?”

Wayne Smith, notoriously calm and understated with his comments, exclaimed, “Kev, once they see this book, how could anyone not want to buy one? Especially for $22.95!! It's great. We need to get this book into the stores where people can see it.”

Indeed, and that’s where word of mouth comes in. When you see the book, and if you feel the same about it, please, spread the word so others can enjoy it. (And, of course, so Palladium can make some money on this “risky venture.”) Thanks.

Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda

Publisher, Writer, Artist and Gamer thrilled to bring this book to You
© Copyright June 14, 2007