The BBC reports an 800-word mini-prequel to the Harry Potter series written by J. K. Rowling was sold today at auction for $49,323/ £ 25,000.

“That’s $59/ £ 30 per word,” explains David Klaus, who sent me this story. “Jack Williamson, who got 1/4 cent/word for his first story from Hugo Gernsback after threatening a lawsuit to get his money, must be a veritable whirligig in his grave.”

The auction raised money for English PEN, which promotes understanding through literature, and Dyslexia Action. Organizers asked 13 authors, including Rowling, Nick Hornby and Doris Lessing, to create work for the sale.