All in the Family

Sometimes the apple doesn't fall far from the tree: as can been seen through these proud literary parents and their bookish offspring. Here’s some famous parent and child author pairs (the parent is listed first):

Kingsley Amis and Martin Amis: celebrated British authors, Sir Kinsley won the Man Booker Prize in 1986 for The Old Devils, and Martin was shortlisted in 1991 for Time’s Arrow.

Anita Desai and Kiran Desai: Indian mother and daughter authors who have also received the attention of the Man Booker Prize committee. Anita has been three times shortlisted for the award (most recently for Fasting, Feasting in 1999) and Kiran’s second novel The Inheritance of Loss won the Man Booker in 2006.

Antonia Fraser and daughters: Well known author of history and historical fiction Antonia Fraser has three daughters who have all followed in her footsteps. Flora Fraser, Rebecca Fraser and Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni are all authors of biographies.

Stephen King and Tabitha King children: Stephen King needs no introduction, wife Tabitha King has a successful career of horror and science fiction writing of her own. Two of their son’s are also writers. Owen King’s book of short stories We’re All In This Together was published to positive reviews in 2005. Joe Hill - who published without his famous last name in order to establish his reputation with outside of the spotlight - received the Bram Stoker award for First Novel in 2007 for his novel Heart-Shaped Box.

Jeanne Ray and Ann Patchett: Although Ray is the mother, Patchett was the first to be published. Jeanne Ray released her first novel Julie and Romeo in 2000 (when she was 60), Patchett’s first novel The Patron Saint of Liars was released in 1992.

Mordecai Richler and family: It’s not surprising that one of Canada’s most well regarded authors would have children who are also involved in writing including Noah Richler, journalist and author of This Is My Country, What's Yours?, and Emma Richler who has published two works of fiction.

Carol Shields and Anne Giardini: It was not until after Pultizer Prize and Governor General Award winning author Carol Shield’s death in 2003 that her daughter Anne Giardini published her first novel. The Sad Truth About Happiness was released in 2005 and Giardini’s second novel Advice For Italian Boys is due to be released March 6th.