Top 25 Writers on Twitter Worth Following
By Julia H. Jackson
Eduify wants to help you find a career in writing. We’ve compiled a list of 25 Writers that you must follow on Twitter. We hope they they will provide insight into what it takes to write professionally.
I’ll never forget my first literature class as a freshman. One of my professors had invited her mentor, Max Schott, a writer and former teacher, to join our class. We were discussing what it meant to be a writer, and how different writers work. Mr. Schott raised his hand and said in a quiet, confident voice:
“One thing I love about being a writer is how I can sit in a chair, and think for a while, and when someone asks me what I’m doing, I can say, ‘Oh, I’m working.’”
Every writer has a different style and purpose for writing. Children’s book writers like April Halprin Wayland approach creative writing as a means to tell stories for a young audience. Magazine editors such as Larry Smith use a journalistic eye to create platforms for both notable and emerging writers. Many writers are also professors, lecturers, and teachers, like San Francisco State University’s Matthew Clark Davison. As Leanne Milway Chabalko showed us, strong writing is the backbone for careers in copywriting and advertising. Features Designer Rachel Van Blankenship explained that print and online journalism uses reporters, designers, and photographers to tell current stories in a timely and creative way. And finally, radio producer Jesse Thorn represents yet another way to feature creative expression: by highlighting well-known comedians, musicians, writers and personalities both on the air and online.
There are so many ways to make writing a profession. For every writer we’ve featured on Eduify, there are so many more out in the working world. We’ve compiled a list of the Top 25 Writers to Follow on Twitter as proof that, if you think long and hard enough, you, too, can make a living as a writer.
Top Five Children’s Book Writers:
Eduify Feature: April Halprin Wayland
5. Carin Berger Berger is an illustrator, designer, and author of The Little Yellow Leaf and Ok Go.
4. Maureen Johnson Johnson has written a number of books for young adults, including Suite Scarlet and Girl at Sea.
3. Meg Cabot: Author of over 40 books including the Princess Diaries and Allie Finkle series.
2. Cynthea Liu: Author of Paris Pan Takes the Dare and Writing For Children and Teens.
1. Shane Berryhill: Writer, illustrator and creator of the Chance Fortune Adventure series.
Top Five Online Magazine Editors:
Eduify Feature: Larry Smith, Editor of SMITH Mag
5. Arianna Huffington, Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Huffington Post
4. Joan Walsh, Editor-in-Chief of Salon.com
3. David Plotz, Editor of Slate.com
2. Katrina vanden Huevel, Editor and Publisher of The Nation
1.Monika Bauerlein, Co-Editor, Mother Jones
Top Five Novelists
Eduify Feature: Matthew Clark Davison
5. Warren Adler: World-renowned novelist (War of the Roses), short story writer and playwright.
4. Allison Winn Scotch: Her books include Time of My Life and The Department of Lost and Found.
3. Chuck Palahniuk: Perhaps best known for his novel The Fight Club, Palahniuk’s latest is Tell All, due out in 2010.
2. Paulo Coelho: This Brazilian writer’s novels include the critically acclaimed The Alchemist and The Pilgrimmage.
1. Neil Gaiman: Gaiman has written comics, novels, films, and books, including Coraline and Mirrormask.
Top Five Copywriters
Eduify Feature: Leanne Milway Chabalko 
5. Richard Becker works for Copywrite, Ink., the ABC Examiner and International Association of Business Communicators.
4. Sarah Nuttall: British freelance copywriter.
3. Amrit Hallan: Indian Online copywriter, blogger, website content manager and content strategist.
2. Kristina Mills: In her own words, she is a “transformational marketer and communicator, business intuitive, business transformation expert.” She is based out of Austrailia.
1. Lisa Manyon: Manyon provides copywriting services, as well as coaching and consulting for businesses.
Top Five Journalists
Eduify Feature: Rachel Van Blankenship
5. James Rainey: Media columnist for the Los Angeles Times.
4. Robert Ebert: Film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times.
3. Gail Collins: Op-Ed columist for The New York Times
2. Tom Friedman: Three-time Pulitzer award winner for The New York Times.
1. Melissa Harris-Lacewell: Princeton University Professor, MSNBC regular, contributor to The Nation.
Top 5 Radio Producers / Program Hosts
Eduify Feature: Jesse Thorn
5. Ira Glass: Host of This American Life
4. Amy Goodman: Journalist, activist, and host of Democracy Now!
3. Kurt Andersen: Author, journalist, and host of Studio 360.
2. Peter Sagal: Journalist, playwright, and host of “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me!”
1. Terry Gross: Host of NPR’s “Fresh Air.“
We encourage you to follow these writers and see what they accomplish. We have over 50 cool writers listed already in our Writers List on Twitter. Let us know who your Top Writers to Follow are in the comments below!
