Atwood tweets 'ignorant' jab at Ford

Venerable Canadian author Margaret Atwood, unwittingly embroiled in a war of words with a Toronto city councillor over proposed cuts to city libraries, has taken a cheeky online swipe at the Ford brothers.

Last week, in response to the literary icon's defence of Toronto's library system, city councillor Doug Ford, brother of Mayor Rob Ford, brushed aside Atwood's take on the debate.

"Good luck to Margaret Atwood. I dont even know her.She could walk right by me, I wouldnt have a clue who she is," the councillor said of the CanLit legend, who has fast become known as afierce public-libraries crusader.

Ford's remarks triggered a flood of mockery from some of Atwood's 225,200 Twitter followers, and inspired Chapters Indigo book retailers across Canada to offer a 30 per-cent discount off all Atwood titles to library cardholders.

'I get in too much trouble as it is'

But it was Atwood who largely remained silent while away for a week "in the woods" and without access to a computer, only offering alight online zinger replete with smiley-face emoticon on Tuesday.

Taking to Twitter, Atwood responded to calls for her to run in a tongue-in-cheek "Atwood for Mayor" campaign.

"Noo, not running for mayor ... too old. Used to think too ignorant, but that hasnt stopped some," she tweeted, followed by a wide-smiley emoticon. "Appreciate the kind thoughts however!"

The Toronto-based author also added: "OK, STOP me from drawing a Twin FordMayor(s) Comic Strip! I get in too much trouble as it is!"

Ford was quick to dismiss public opinions that hewas ignorantaboutone of Canada's most celebrated novelists, latercalling Atwood a "great writer" but clarifying that most people would likely not have recognized her in public.