Yesterday's competition has elicited only two public responses (although several private ones). No correct answer yet although Cricklewood might be considered warmest.

Also yesterday I promised more on the Scottish Nigerian writer Jackie Kay as described by the head of Picador, the delightfully American Andrew Kidd.

'Jackie Kay triumphed last night at the British Book Awards, taking home the Decibel Writer of the Year Prize. The Decibel is 'for a writer of fiction, narrative non-fiction or poetry who is of African, Caribbean or Asian descent and has made the greatest contribution towards or impact on the literary year’. Novelist, poet, story writer, playwright, Jackie is a wonderful and unique talent, and the book for which she was shortlisted is the story collection, Wish I Was Here, a touching, funny, lively and profound study of the vagaries of the human heart. But this splendid book is in fact only one of many of Jackie’s achievements over the last year. Last Sunday, Radio 3 broadcast her play, ‘The Lamplighters’, which brought to life the voices of African women during the age of enslavement. It was immediately hailed as one of the best and most original works to be inspired by the anniversary of British abolition. Many congratulations to this treasure of a writer.'

Yesterday was a proud day for Macmillan for other reasons too. After many months of hard work we were able to announce that we are the first book publisher to embrace fully black empowerment in South Africa. Many publishers have paraded their enlightened attitude to diversity in publishing and have even appointed diversity comunications managers. We don't do that but we are delighted to take a lead in what is a genuine attempt to remedy past mistakes and build a stronger and fairer business environment for the future.

And here's a photo from the celebratory party:

Here is a photo and story from one of Macmillan's most intrepid sales people, hispanophile Jim Papworth in Jamaica.