"London calling".

That was the subject line of an email Robin Crumby from Melcrum Publishing Ltd. posted on a NEPA listserv following the July 7 bombings in London.

"Thanks to all of you who have sent messages of support following the terrorist attacks yesterday," Robin wrote.

"We are all fine here at Melcrum, but I know others that were not so fortunate ....

"You'll be pleased to hear that London is back at work today and in true British 'stiff upper lip' fashion, we're all getting along with our lives.

"Next week is the UK NEPA conference, so for all those of you who are flying in from out of town, rest assured that London is already back at work and returning to normal."

Report from NEPA executive director

After attending the London conference, Patricia Wysocki, executive director of the Newsletter & Electronic Publishers Association, Arlington, Va., told NL/NL:

"The Brits are very resilient. I arrived on Thursday about midnight [the same day as the bombings] and had no trouble in getting to my hotel. The next day I took the tube to our office in Richmond and again had no trouble.

"One of our committee members, Julian Turner of Electric Word, unfortunately had two employees on the bus that exploded. But, while they are still in the hospital, they are alive," Patti said.

Regarding the conference, she reported, "The meeting was a great success. We had more than 140 people attend this year--up about 20 percent from last year. We also held a half-day Publisher's Roundtable the following day with 19 people in attendance. The terrorist attacks didn't put a damper on the conference. It was well attended and had some very good sessions."

She concluded, "Probably the hottest topic was whether Google was our friend or foe."

NEPA, 1501 Wilson Blvd., #509, Arlington, VA 22209 800-356-9302, 703-527-2333, fax [phone], www.newsletters.org.