The release of this year's longlist gave me pause for thought - didn't I recognise several of those names from books we'd previously featured in newbooks?

Checking back I found that Carol Birch's Come Back, Paddy Riley was a featured book in nb17 and Julie Orringer's How to Breathe Underwater in nb27. Inglorious by Joanna Kavenna – with a most unprepossessing picture of a poodle on the cover – was an early 'website only' special, as I recall. While Tessa Hadley's Master Bedroom appeared in nb46.

The Swimmer by Roma Tearne very recently featured in nb60. Not a bad haul when talent  spotting is the name of the game. Of course, that is no slur on the many other books we've featured - especially if written by men, who after all have to stand on the sidelines for this prize.

And looking ahead, Elsbeth and I had already agreed that Leila Aboulela and Téa Obreht were authors we'd heard good things about and decided to take a greater interest.

So an author list with a special interest for us. Wouldn't it be brilliant if they all made the short list!