When we first started talking about changing the cover style, we realised it would be a difficult decision to make. In many ways, it’s unusual for a long-running series to have maintained its original look for so long – and a testament to how good those illustrations were. Next year will mark a decade of Little, Brown and Abacus publishing Alexander McCall Smith’s books, and 15 years since The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency was first released. Quite simply, we felt it was time for a change, and that we needed to keep the series feeling fresh, and Alexander McCall Smith agreed.

The process for finding suitable designers and deciding on a new direction certainly wasn’t taken lightly nor in isolation – it was the result of over a year’s conversation and debate between ourselves, retailers and the author himself. Our aim was to create something fresh, vibrant and lively which showed the colour and warmth of the books, while also clearly reflecting the African setting, and we feel Mark’s designs achieve this brilliantly. Alexander McCall Smith himself said:

‘I am delighted with the new design, which has lovely humour in it while at the same time capturing the atmosphere of Mma Ramotswe’s world.’

There’s no doubt that they are very different from Hannah’s wonderful illustrations, and it’s easy to see why they might initially surprise those expecting the same approach on The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party and The Limpopo Academy for Private Detection.

One key thing we feel about the new covers is that they are designed to be part of a series, and we think it is when the whole series is viewed together that they really come into their own. In the end though, we know book jackets are a very subjective issue (we have enough disagreements in house every week to prove that point!) and we will never win everyone over. The most important thing  is what’s inside the covers, and that remains unchanged – and as brilliant – as ever.

The play stars Carol Ann Crawford as Domenica, James Mackenzie as Bruce and Euan Lee as Bertie, and runs in five 15-minute slots, broadcast each morning at 10:45am.

If you’ve missed any of episodes, they are available to hear again on the BBC’s iPlayer service for the next few days: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01gvkw5.

Have you been listening so far? And if so, what did you think?

The new Scotland Street novel, Bertie Plays the Blues is released on the 24th May in paperback.

To find out more about the new novel click here, but here’s Alexander McCall Smith’s own summary of what lies in store for fans:

‘The Limpopo Academy of Private Investigation’ features the visit of an extremely important person – a hero, as it happens, of our two heroines. This is a great treat for the ladies as they have much to say to him. And he, it transpires, has things to tell them too. And as for the apprentices, I’m sorry to say that Fanwell gets himself into deep water, which is extremely unfair, as if anybody deserves to get into trouble it must be Charlie.’

Those who subscribe to the Alexander McCall Smith newsletter will have read an exclusive extract from the new book already – if you haven’t signed up yet, then just enter your name and email address into the boxes towards the bottom of the right-hand column on this page, and you’ll receive regular news and updates, all written by the author himself.

And if you still have to catch up with the previous title in the series (in which Mma Makutsi’s big day approaches), then now is the perfect time  – with the paperback also published today!

We love them – and we’d love to know what you think too! Let us know in the comments below. We’ll have more pictures to show soon . . .

So, if you’d like to see The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency or any other Alexander McCall Smith title in the final list of the nation’s favourite 25 books, then register on the site now and get choosing your ten best reads. Once you register, you can discuss your books, make recommendations and share your top ten with others.

Alexander McCall Smith is a supporter of World Book Night and recently chose his top twenty books for Foyles – you can read his article here: http://www.foyles.co.uk/alexander-mccall-smith-favourite-books

In The Charming Quirks of Others  – which is out now in paperback – Isabel finds herself contemplating an act of heroic and alarming self-sacrifice.

And in just under two weeks, the new Isabel Dalhousie novel entitled The Forgotten Affairs of Youth is released, in which Isabel finds herself beset by temptation, and attempting to steer a course between love and laissez-faire. Both titles feature the brand-new cover look, which will be rolled out across all the titles in the series. Let us know what you think!

And for a fascinating glimpse of the real Edinburgh behind the Dalhousie series (and of course the Scotland Street series too) have a look at this short film of Alexander McCall Smith taking Sarah Crown from The Guardian on walking tour of his home city.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/video/2011/aug/16/alexander-mccall-smith-edinburgh-video?INTCMP=SRCH

And plans are already underway for next year’s event. Readers across the UK are now being invited to submit their top ten nominations for next year’s giveaway via the World Book Night website. The interactive site enables you to discuss your favourite books, make recommendations and share your top ten with others.

All you have to do is register with the site, and choose your ten favourite books. You can also view the top 100 selections as they currently stand.

The deadline for voting finishes at the end of the month on 31st August. So, if you’d like to see The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency in the final list of 25 titles to be away next year, then get voting!

P. S – Alexander McCall Smith himself is currently choosing his own top ten titles – look out for these on the site very soon!

Click here to find out more (including what young Bertie is up to now), and to read the first chapter for free click here.

And in more exciting Scotland Street news, The Scotsman newspaper has just announced that the series is to be turned into a stage play, to be perfomed at the fringe at this year’s Edinburgh festival. See here for more details.

The Alexander McCall Smith smartphone app is an innovative new platform designed to bring readers closer to their favourite author.

Launched alongside the new Botswana series paperback, The Double Comfort Safari Club, the app gives readers an immersive guide to the world of Mma Ramotswe and the places and characters made famous by the books.

The app features exclusive video interviews, bonus material, character portraits, location guides, chapter samples and much more!

It also includes a random quote generator – so you can receive a daily dose of Alexander McCall Smith’s wit and wisdom to your phone!

It will be updated for each new book released in 2011, so look out for more exclusive content with the launch of The Saturday Big Tent Wedding Party in March and around new releases in the Scotland St, Corduroy Mansions and Sunday Philosophy Club series later this year.

The 30 choristers inspired community choir Hackney Singers and the 600 strong audience in a dazzling joint performance in Hackney in October 2010.  They opened the musical extravaganza with a choreographed performance entitled ‘Made in Botswana’, featuring beautifully-sung traditional African music, dancing and drumming, injected with a unique sense of humour and fun that brought a bit of Botswana to Hackney.

The concert  ended with a joint performance of  traditional Botswana song  “Marabelle”, conducted by Andy Batshogile, Sedibeng Director.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jU8vRGXCNQ&hd=1

The Sedibeng group have teamed up for a second time with Alexander McCall Smith’s Little Opera House and will be performing their second opera there in 2010.