Tom Stoppard, Sebastian Faulks, Doris Lessing, Nick Hornby and Margaret Atwood all scribbled a tale on a side of A5 to be auctioned at Waterstone’s.

But it seems JK Rowling couldn’t confine herself to such a small space. She wrote her prequel on both sides – not that organisers were unduly concerned.

“We weren’t going to reject her donation as it was obviously great that she did it,” said one.

As it fetched £25,000, perhaps they were right to let her off.