Pratchett: His fantasy novels are best sellers

Nine top authors, including both Follett and Pratchett, Margaret Atwood and Ian McEwan pledged to write fans into their next novels for the auction.

'Disconcerting'

Ken Follett was looking forward to appearing in a book by cult fantasy writer Pratchett.

"I want to appear as a giant but Terry is making no promises," he said in a statement.

"All he asked me is how I want to die, which is a little disconcerting."

Pratchett's "Discworld" series dominated a recent survey of Britain's best-selling books of all time.

Smith: Won six awards for her debut novel White Teeth

The sale was hosted by Kathy Lette, who proved the most popular author at last year's auction.

Also on offer was a place in the 1995 Booker winner Pat Barker's work in progress or in Nice Work writer David Lodge's next work.

And Robert Harris, who wrote the novel on which the film Enigma was based and whose novels Fatherland and Archangel sell in millions, also offered his services.

Practical assistance

Award-winning White Teeth writer Zadie Smith and American author Raymond Benson, who has taken up writing original James Bond stories, round out the list.

Harris: writer offered his services to auction

This was the second such sale held in aid of the Medical Foundation.

Last year's sale, featuring Sebastian Faulks, Nick Hornby, Louis de Bernieres, Hanif Kureshi and Jim Crace raised nearly �25,000.

The Medical Foundation was established in 1985 to provide medical treatment, practical assistance, counselling and psychotherapy to victims of torture and organised violence.