A SAD DAY FOR PUBLISHING

It appeared to be a normal day when we got up but it seems Chambers Harrap is closing down its Edinburgh dictionary office after nearly 200 years. Obviously as someone whose lexicographical roots lie in the west of Scotland with Chambers Harrap's main Scottish rival that should mean less competition but I'm afraid it just means it is a sad day for the industry and many of my ex-colleagues and friends who now work for the other side. It looks like we're all going to have to put our heads together to come up with a 21st century way of writing quality dictionaries before the Internet allows inferior products to swamp the market further :-(