Weekend Update July 3, 2008

[Kevin]

Weekend Update July 3, 2008

The weather in Michigan is supposed to be sunny and moderate (78-85 degree temps), and most of the Palladium crew is poised to enjoy a nice three-day weekend. That’s cool because they need some time off to recharge their batteries.

As for myself, while I may take in a movie or two (want to see Kung-fu Panda, Wall-E and Hancock), I’m spending the long weekend trying to finish up the editing and necessary rewrites on the Chi-Town Anthology book.

Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs

All the writers on this project, including myself, are extremely excited about this book of short stories. As writers of RPG books we don’t get a chance to flex our muscles writing “prose” (stories), so everyone really gave it their all.

The stories are all very diverse and deal with many subjects. The book will open up with a new account of the ‘Burbs by Erin Tarn and then go from one story to the next. Some are dark and grim, others uplifting. There are bits of history, a lot of interesting details, even something of a love story in one, and lots of drama, action and pathos. I think people are going to love it. At least we all hope so, because all of the guys and I want to write more stories, and that will depend on the sales of this book. If the book sells well, we'll do more. If it doesn't . . .

Robotech® Sourcebooks

I have assigned 80% of the artwork for the Macross Saga Sourcebook, Apollo Okamura’s cover concept has been given the green light, research on Macross is done, and the writing has begun. Jason Marker is joining me on that front. We’ve already divided the work and Jason has dived into writing at full tilt.

Jason Marker – who will be the main author of 90% of the Robotech® Masters sourcebook – has already written about half of this book, so it WILL follow Macross in short order. The reference for art is also all in place and the creation of art for that title should start soon as well.

While I’m thinking about it, I’d like to thank Rabid Southern Cross Fan for the wealth of material he sent to us to use as reference. While we already had a great deal of material, his contributions helped to round everything out, especially in the area of weapons, vehicles, and armor. Thanks. It is very appreciated.

Convention season

Convention season for Palladium Books starts NOW as we do final prep and planning for Gen Con (August 14-17, Indianapolis, Indiana).

Gen Con is always fun and exciting because it is so BIG. We make a lot of sales (I sure hope so), see a lot of old friends (always welcomed), meet and chat with hundreds of fans (always a joy), sign a thousand or more autographs (always our pleasure), get helpful feedback and make new connections. I think with the release of The Rifter® #43, Tales of the Chi-Town ‘Burbs and the two Robotech® Hardcover Editions, all of which are pretty darn new, and with all the back stock we bring (and specialty items), our booth should be hopping!

GallowsCon is October 11, and we are looking forward to it as much as Gen Con. Last year, Wayne Smith, Glen Evans, James and Diane Brown (she’s also known as “the Goddess”), Lonnie Langston, and everyone who came down had a truly GREAT time. This convention is all about fun. It is a small, intimate and a great time for everyone. And their charity raffle was incredible. I have never seen so many desirable prizes. (As in virtually every item was awesome!) Nice dealer’s area too.

I urge gamers in the Chicago - Fort Wayne/Valparaiso area to take advantage of this ALL-DAY gaming event.

Our last convention of the year will be Youmacon. This is a rapidly expanding Anime event that is fantastic. You’ve never seen so many amazing costumes (um, unless you’ve gone to other Anime cons, or DragonCon or . . . anyway, the most awesome costumes in the Metro-Detroit area)! Palladium Books and I will be there, along with Alex, Julius, Wayne, Jason and Josh selling Robotech® and other RPG books, signing autographs and having a blast. This is another “you should be there” event, especially if you live in the area. Held at the Hyatt Regency Dearborn, October 30-November 2.

Speaking of conventions, a tip of the hat to Megaversal Ambassador, Kenneth Haun, who did nothing short of an amazing job running Palladium RPG events at A-Kon, in Texas, May 30 and June 1, 2008. We have never, ever gotten so many people contacting us to say the G.M. was awesome, as we have with Kenneth.

Well, he just sent me his hilarious After Kon Action Report & Musings, and now I can see why. Ken had props, a foam cut-out Veritech and a big Rifts® Logo sign to mark his gaming area (both looked awesome and are a great idea), gave out Palladium catalogs and prizes (RPG books provided by Palladium), clearly has a sense of humor and style, and must be one heck of a good G.M. He ran Rifts® and Robotech®, and had pal Tim Roberts run Nightbane® and Ninjas & Superspies. Both assisted by Lauren and Hillary (their last names kept secret to protect the innocent).

Oh, and check out the info about the 2009 Palladium Open House – May 1, 2, & 3 (V.I.P. Thursday, April 30) that will be posted in the Press Release going up later today, Thursday, July 3, 2008.

http://www.palladiumbooks.com/press/press2008-07a.html


Sincerely,
Kevin Siembieda
Publisher, Writer, Artist and Working Fool

© Copyright July 3, 2008 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, 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.