It's party time in the London book world and last night was no exception. Off to the very chic October Gallery for the annual celebration of the existence and future publishing of Gerald Duckworth and Co Ltd, hosted by its owner (also owner of The Overlook Press), Peter Mayer pictured here just after he'd rescued the Duck from the liquidators in 2003.

Since then the company has healed itself and, in spite of market difficulties, is re-established as a home for both general and scholarly authors - still quirky, still small but very definitely alive and kicking.

While Duckworth chugs along perfectly well publishing books traditionally, the debate about the future of the book continues to swirl around the web. Here is yet another (and rather good) discourse on the possible scenarios. Who will be the new publishers? The social networking sites, Amazon, Google...? Or maybe Duckworth or Macmillan will survive by virtue of doing a few things well - spotting an opportunity,finding good authors, encouraging them to write books people want to read (rather than the other sort), editing, packaging, promoting, investing, doing deals for the author and then paying royalties. When someone at my space can do all those things as well as Peter Mayer, then we have something to fear.