As the children's gernre has clearly become uninspiring for Giles Coren, perhaps it's time he traded in his junior library tickets and climbed the big steps to the adult section. This may open new areas of interest for him to explore.

Simon Bailey, Camden, London, England

A woman gets a whole generation waiting for her books, makes children all around the world happy, is able to raise money for charity with just 800 words (mark of a genius, I say) and gets abused by mediocrity! At least she cashes in on her own creations, rather than riding on other people's fame!

Latika Mehra, Bangalore, India

The key element that seems to be overlooked here is that J.K. Rowling is only producing these additional Harry Potter works FOR CHARITY! Is it so wrong for her to keep spinning tails of Harry Potter if it means she can bring in millions of dollars for charities? Well I personally don't think so.

Margaret, New York City, USA

Very funny!

Linda, Los Angeles, USA

Personally I love JK Rowling. Her style of writing keeps me engrossed in her books and I can't put them down. I would love for her to write more books about the life of Harry Potter. Before and after Hogwarts. Congrats to her, and I hope she keeps it up.

Heather, New York, USA

It’s disgusting the way in which JK is attacked in this article. She was a single mother with barely an income and yet you vilify her for doing something productive and inspiring children and adults alike to read. Yes, she made a fortune in the process, good for her!

Becky, London, England

it'll be in a book, which will be published in August :x. JKR said that on her website

pom, HN, VN

She didn't chose how long the story was, the book (with pages by many famous authors) had on post card sized pages and each author wrote on one. She said she wrote it about Harry Potter because that's what she thought would make the most for charity, and she would be right.

Carmit, Thornbury, Australia

Get it right, EC. 'For Sale. Baby Shoes. Never Worn.' Uncle Ernie sure knew the value of a single word., 'Baby' is the killer in that short story. And If Sam Beckett had lived another couple of years he'd have gotten down us to the five word, I novel, I'm sure. Viva, JK, say I.

Hugh C. Rae, Glasgow, UK

Like other people said i would be happy to read really short books about Harry Potter, but i just wish that they would go on sale instead of having them auctioned off at ridiculous prices.

Alana Roberts, Peterborough, UK

It is all like "The Emperor's New Clothes". If what is written is not of any merit then why buy it, empowering the writer and lining his/her pocket? Celebrities can put their name to anything these days and make money. Only a discerning public can stop this nonsense by not buying the name.

Sarita Ormrod, Stratford upon Avon, UK

Do you really think this way or were you told to write negatively? This isn't about Rowling not being able to give up Harry or want to write about Harry till her fingers fall off. This is for charity. It's 800 words, hardly a novel, about his father and his father's best friend.

Leah, Easley, SC, USA

How completely dreadful of her to write a short story for a postcard book that is going to raise funds for charity, through the auction and copies.

Fair play to her. I'm an unabashed Jo Rowling and Harry Potter fan and I for one hope that she continues writing in the Potter universe.

Emma, Northampton, UK

Well done Jason for pointing out Jo's nationality- it amazes me how she is continually referred to as Scottish! She loves Scotland, and lives there now, but is English. Jo wrote the 'words' for charity, the books get better as they go along. Giles- are you trying to wind us Harry fans up!?!

Emma, Staffs,

Also gotta add that it may just be a short story, but I dunno about anyone else, but I'd be happy to read about James and Lily Potter and all the others before Harry's time, even if it is only short. I would enjoy it. I only hope it eventually comes out on sale as I've heard it's being auctioned off

Gemma, Shrewsbury,

A novel has a new plot. Hence the name. Whilst a firm distinction cannot be drawn with the short story, a short story describes one incident rather than the development of events over time.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

The shortest was by Ernest Hemingway, who wrote "For Sale. Children's shoes. Never worn."

eric campbell, harrogate, uk

> That blasted Scottish woman <

Rowling is English.

But back to your point Giles......surely *any* of us may do with our creations what we wish? And if others delight in our creations - big or small - why spoil their delight?

Jason Paris, Newcastle, Australia

As a technologist, used to precise terminology, I'm confused. Can any of you passionately literary folk please explain the difference between a 'novelist' and a 'short-story writer'; and between their oeuvres?
In my naivety I would have supposed this to be just a (very) short story, not a 'novel'.

David, Bristol, UK

Personally, I'm sick of the women and Harry,too. I loved the books, inspite of the fact that by seventh one you wanted to shout "get to the point, already!" but enough is enough. She seriously needs to let go of the thing and get a life. Leave something to the readers imagination, for goodness sake!

Lynn, Philadelphia, USA

Just like paintings. Put a name to them and Christies sells them at ridiculous prices.

geert, cape town, south africa

Wow... such jealousy! A popular writer produces a short story for a charity auction and suddenly the literary world faces Armageddon? Pull yourself together!!

Chris Lewis, Sydney, Australia

One detects a hint of envy....

James , Leamington, UK

I love JK's rise from the pits of poverty but guess I must be one of the few who think that 'Harry Potter' is a pile of crap. I tried to read the 1st novel amidst the media euphoria and found it akin to 'Billy Bunter'. The 1st movie was even more banal. Lucky yes, literary genius, I don't think so.

Steve Payne, Valencia, Spain

She wrote it for charity. deal with it.

She can do what she wants to, It's not up to you what she does with Harry its up to her.

Amanda, iowa, USA