in which i succumb to a facebook meme

I could not resist this memelike thing from a Facebook friend. It's a great insight into your friends' influences and loves.

"Fifteen authors":

Which authors have influenced you and will always stick with you? If you're game, list the first 15 you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Tag 15 friends, including me; I'm interested in seeing which authors you choose.

My list:
George Orwell
John Steinbeck
Charles Dickens
Howard Zinn
William Shakespeare
S. E. Hinton
E. B. White
Emily Bronte
Saul Bellow
Toni Morrison
Graham Greene
William Kennedy
Paul Zindel
Gloria Steinem
Michael Pollan

Yours?