Controversial India-born author Salman Rushdie claims to have set a new record by signing 1,000 books in 57 minutes during a recent promotion tour.

This has set off a spat with the writer whom he surpassed.

In a letter to The Guardian, Rushdie, who last week won the 'Best of Bookers' award, said that he had broken wine writer Malcolm Gluck's record for book signings.

Gluck's claimed his record is 1,001 copies in 59 minutes, set at a wine warehouse in London in 1998.

"His record is toast," Rushdie crowed, in a letter to the newspaper.

Gluck responded: "Well, if that's true, I'm humbled. I'm delighted to learn of Salman's achievement.

"I think it's very funny actually.... I doubt there will be any women going for this record, this is just such a male thing."