Our literary list contains Scotland's ten top tweeters who are also authors and writers.
We’ve listed (but not ranked) them by number of followers, knowing that’s only one measure of popularity.
Other factors to take into account in assessing Twitter “influence” include how many other Tweeters each of our 100 has, in turn, followed to build their audience: the bigger the ratio of followers to following, the more impressive the performance.
And how many Tweets they’ve each put out there: fewer can suggest each word is like gold dust to fans (see JK Rowling), while more indicates greater interactivity with followers.
JK Rowling @jk_rowling
Followers 1,287,687 Following 1 Tweets 13
Typical tweet "As you may have heard, I have a new book out later this year. Very different to Harry, although I’ve enjoyed writing it every bit as much."
Ian Rankin @Beathhigh
Followers 35,653 Following 730 Tweets 16,621
Typical tweet "Far have I travelled and much have I seen...but the words 'Iris Murdoch' on a loo wall in Edinburgh are a first."
Irvine Welsh @WelshIrvine
Followers 15,133 Following 86 Tweets 3551
Typical tweet "Also great traveling 1st class AND it all paid for now I'm 'on the firm'. Looking down on fellow travelers with 'Muirhoose superiour' pus."
Val McDermid @valmcdermid
Followers 8967 Following 334 Tweets 6817
Typical tweet "Single malt whisky. Preferably an island malt like Jura. In decent quantity before bed. Works for me..."
Alexander McCall Smith @McCallSmith
Followers 7589 Following 234 Tweets 1245
Typical tweet "Real men can now, in fact, eat anything, although a question mark, a very slight one, hangs over snails."
AL Kennedy @writerer
Followers 5639 Following 53 Tweets 3246
Typical tweet "Crockery... why do I have so much crockery. I only ever eat off one plate. The same plate. For 16 years.... Sheesh... "
Allan Guthrie @allanguthrie
Followers 4696 Following 3834 Tweets 6006
Typical tweet “Got a Father's Day card in the post today. Quite a surprise, given that I don't have any children. My first thought, tho: it's late.”
Nicola Morgan @nicolamorgan
Followers 4606 Following 1290 Tweets 34,506
Typical tweet "I was reading aloud 1st chap of book of mine pubbed (by vg publisher) in 2007 - found blatant typo. It happens! Quite a lot!"
Alan Bissett @alanbissett
Followers 2514 Following 784 Tweets 2641
Typical tweet “Saw Spider-Man again. Garfield is perfect. But why does every single superhero film end with a race against time atop a tall building?”
Chris Brookmyre @abbdiara
Followers 1343 Following 38 Tweets 42
Typical tweet “Just got pwned at Quake 3 by my son Jack. A moment simultaneously proud and humiliating.”
Any analysis of a fluid medium like Twitter can be challenged. We’d like to hear your views – about any omissions, suggested inclusions, or even the worth of Twitter itself – using the comments box below. We’ll be updating our Scottish list later this year and you can help shape it. And with us, you’re not limited to 140 characters!
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