Just back from two days on the East Coast of the USA. First stop Boston for meetings at Bedford St Martins where we discussed the rapidly changing US college textbook market. As in most markets, students are demanding more and more and are willing (or able) to pay less and less. However, what is clear is that how we deliver information for students is becoming almost as important as what we deliver - and that the winners will be those who innovate, learn and change fast.

One lesson I learned and I am happy to share with you - don't go to Anthony's Pier 4 restaurant. Apparently it was good 25 years ago - but they don't seem to have adapted.

Second stop New York and meetings with our cousinly trade publishing houses. I do love America. When you get a bestseller you REALLY get a bestseller. I'm not at liberty to disclose how many copies Farrar, Straus and Giroux have sold of The World is Flat and in any event I've already forgotten but it sure makes a difference.

But for me the most personal sales figure is that yesterday this blog exceeded 1000 (1152 to be precise) visitors for the first time. I feel just like an author when  a bookshop places a re-order.

And whilst in self-congratulatory mood, some months ago I rabbitted on about Lonesome George, a bizarre but IMHO brilliant book about a celibate giant tortoise called George. Well, I'm not alone. The Guardian reviewer loved it too and the headline, The Fire in Lonesome George's Loins, says it all.