One of the first signs of summer is that the university teaching rooms and student areas grow quiet. A little later the offices begin to empty of their sun-starved occupants, and a balmy quiet settles in along the corridors of universities and research institutes everywhere. What this really represents for those left behind is a marvellous opportunity to concentrate and really get some work done without the constant interruptions of phones ringing and urgent e-mails pinging and hurried colleagues waiting in the door for a word.

At NIAS Press, we're taking it in turns to keep the concern going, so over the summer there is never less than one but rarely more than two staff at work at any one time. But you wouldn't necessarily know that from our output.  Several things have recently gone to print, much material has been produced for coming conferences, our first digitally printed books have been delivered and have impressed us with their good looks, and the editorial department is busily putting together material for our next catalogue which is due out in late September or early October.

Authors will be particularly pleased to hear that we are now sending out our new-look royalty statements. If you have not received yours within the next two weeks, that will probably be because we do not have a current address for you - in which case, please get in touch with samantha.pedersen@nias.ku.dk who will disptach your statement forthwith.