There are many upsides to being in the publishing industry. You work with (mainly) intelligent people; your objectives are (mainly) laudable; your products are (mainly) at worst harmless and at best inspirational; your lifestyle is (mainly) free of physical danger; and you may, if you're lucky and/or reasonably able, earn a living wage.

The downsides are that most people you meet have an opinion about publishing and publishers. I wouldn't say we get a completely bum rap ( I suspect arms dealers, drug runners, secret policemen, dictators do worse) but I (and I hope it's not just me) get a fair amount of flak essentially pointing out the general inanity or foolishness of the industry.

From booksellers - why don't you give more discount to me? Why don't you give less to others? Why aren't books more expensive? Why don't you make books cheaper?

From authors - why don't you pay me more? Why don't your editors love me more? Why do your editors interfere so much? Why do you give booksellers such big discounts? Why isn't my book in Waterstones in Dulwich?

From would-be authors - why won't you publish my book? Why did you publish that other guy's book? Why has nobody spotted my brilliance? Why is there a conspiracy against me?

From agents - why don't you print my client's books on better paper? Why aren't they designed better? I want to know in advance before you sell Serbian rights. Why do you insist on exclusive European rights when you know the Americans want to sell into Europe? I don't like the jacket.

From friends - have you thought of publishing other books like Harry Potter? I don't think this book is good as her last one. Why don't you advertise more? Publishers must make lots and lots of money because I spend lots on books - and they're very expensive. Why did you publish that heap of rubbish?

But on Friday a miracle happened. I was having my annual medical check-up and was wired up for the treadmill heart test. I rather enjoy it because it's an opportunity push yourself to the limit knowing that there's a consultant cardiologist by your side. If you're going to have a coronary there's no better place or time.

While I'm hammering away on the treadmill the doctor asks me what I do. Publishing. What sort? All sorts including scientific and medical. What sort of medical? Nature Clinical Practice. 'Aha', he said, 'you must work for Macmillan. The medical profession was concerned when you launched that series. The worry was that you were simply using the Nature brand to con us into buying a bunch of new journals. We were wrong. I subscribe to Cardiovascular Medicine and it's absolutely terrific. The articles are excellent, the editor is the best possible person in the world, production is excellent, pricing is fair. I'm also a contributor and the in-house team have been complete professionals in every way.'

You could have knocked me down with a feather or a myocardial infarction.