Paul here - blogging from an undisclosed location as I watch the clock slowly ticking towards midnight. Why midnight? Because that’s when Thursday becomes Friday and that’s when The Friday Project’s first two books hit the shops.

Yes! The shops! In less than 34 minutes, The Friday Project will officially become a bona-fide publishing publisher. It’s an emotional moment. Weep with me, won’t you?

But while I wait for the witching hour, it seems like the perfect time to give an update of all the things we’ve been up to in the weeks since my last proper Vox post. So here goes...

First of all, the week before last, we had a bit of a drinks party thing for our authors and supporters to help us celebrate the birth of The Friday Project and the publication of our first three books. It was a fan-tas-tic night and a great time was had by all. Two weeks on and I’m still a bit hungover. The official pictures are here while the unofficial ones are staying locked away on my harddrive for eternity. Or until a sufficient bribe is offered.

Highlights: my terrible speech, Adam Kay on the piano, a man dressed as a leopard, dog milk cocktails, Michael from Firebox.com stealing our Holy Moly signs, a photographer asking whether Mil Millington was in fact Richard E. Grant, the canvas goody bags, Sarah Bee’s ‘dress’... and so much more. Well done to everyone involved.

What else? Ah yes, Holy Moly! and London by London continue to dominate the Amazon pre-sales charts, although that will come to an end in... twenty three minutes when they’ll have to settle for dominating the post-sales charts.

And what of 2005: Blogged, our November title? Oh that’s just been chosen as one of Waterstone’s ‘50 paperbacks of 2005′. One of 50! Our third book! Look out for it on a big table at the front of your nearest store from November 18th. And congratulations to Editor Tim Worstall for doing all of the hard work in putting the thing together - it really is an excellent, excellent piece of work and well deserving of Waterstones’ kudos. But I would say that.

And finally, we’re delighted to report that, earlier this week, former head of Orion and Random Century, Anthony Cheetham, became our Chairman. Don’t panic, control-fans, I’m still joint CEO with Clare. Nothing else has changed - we just have one of the most influential and knowledgeable figures in publishing sitting at our boardroom table. We’re delighted and terrified in equal measure. No more board meeting food fights for us - we’re rolling with the big boys now.

Right, that’s enough self promotion for one launch. Normal Scott Pack worship/office gossip/Chrysalis bating service will resume next week.

BONG.

It’s midnight! We’re publishers!

Wish us luck.