For as long as we can remember book clubs have existed, enabling people who love to read, to come together, read a book and discuss key highlights. In some rare occasions, some book clubs have had the opportunity to host authors. This is no mean feat as authors often have tight schedules or are separated from their readers due to geographical distance. Twitter provides a platform for readers across the world connecting them to their favourite authors wherever they are on the globe.
Twitter allows one to follow the authors timeline to get an update on the recently launched book written by your favourite authors.
Readers are now sharing what they are reading on Twitter and meeting people who have similar taste in books using the hashtag #TwitterBookClub . Creating a community of book clubs on Twitter where people can see what they are reading, share reviews on books they have read and recommend their favourite books .
Book enthusiasts can find their favourite books via @TwitterBooks, which updates on the best books and authors to look out for. This Twitter handle allows readers to have a chance to get an insight on books across various genres plus Retweets authors holding Twitter Q&A sessions and those using Periscope to discuss books with their fans.
Some notable international authors that are popular on Twitter who great to follow include @PauloCoelho, @JackieCollins, @margaretatwood, @jeffreyarcher, among others.
Kenyan Authors on Twitter
African literature has grown in the past decade increasing readership across the globe. Kenyan authors have displayed their literary work both locally and internationally. Some authors great on Twitter are as follows;
Binyavanga Wainaina @BinyavangaW, is known for his bestselling Memoir, “One Day, I Will Write About This Place”. Distinguished Kenyan author Ngugi wa Thiong’o goes by the Twitter handle @NgugiwaThiongo_ and is known for, “The River Between”, “Weep not Child” and “Petals of Blood” among others. Kinyanjui Kombani (@KKombani), who calls himself “the banker who writes”, has published a number of titles including “The Last Villains of Molo”, “Den of Iniquities”, “Lost and Found”, among others.
Kenya continues to encourage young authors to showcase their stories via a local literary festival where authors can read excerpts from their books and share short stories. This festival is known as Storymoja Festival @Storymojafest. Another notable Twitter handle to follow on Kenyan literature is @kikwetujournal, a semiannual online literary journal that aims to publish both new and established writers from East Africa and beyond. Another Twitter handle to follow would be @Kuona_trust which is a community of visual artists in Kenya.
Twitter continues to bring together a community of book lovers drawing those with similar interests to discuss their craft and inspire the next generation of writers.
