Ness, the brains behind the Chaos Walking young adult book series, launched the drive on 3 September (15) to raise funds for those who have fled the war-torn Middle Eastern country and sought sanctuary in Europe.

He has since been flooded with support from fellow authors across the world, including Pullman, who donated $32,000 (£20,000), as well as Marian Keyes, Horowitz, The Fault in Our Stars writer Green, The Hunger Games creator Collins, Jill Mansell and The Girl on the Train author Paula Hawkins.

Many of the writers have all donated $16,000 (£10,000) to the cause, while a number of the world's most famous publishing houses, including Hachette UK and Penguin Random House, have also stepped in to help Ness.

The author writes in a post on his fundraising web page, "So what started out as a small thing has exploded... This is all so amazing, I've basically spent 24 hours a bit weepy. Thank you all so much!!! Keep it going!!!"

The page on Uk.virginmoneygiving.com had raised more than $824,000 (£515,000) as WENN went to press.