Sometimes Talent Just Runs In the Family

January 11, 2013

Sometimes talent just runs in the family, and it’s no different for authors. Do you have some favorite writers you just can’t get enough of? If so, you might be surprised to know who else in their family writes. For example, is Stephen King a favorite of yours? Did you know his wife, Tabitha, and sons, Owen and Joe, are also writers?

Writing under the pen name of Joe Hill, Joseph Hillstrom King has landed himself on the New York Times Bestselling list more than once with such creepy novels as The Heart-Shaped Box and Horns. His newest book, NOS4R2, is due out next April. Tabitha has several books to her credit, including titles such as: Candles Burning, Survivor, Pearl and One On One. Owen is the author of We’re All in This Together, a novella and collection of short stories, as well as Who Can Save Us Now: Brand New Super Heroes and Their Amazing Short Stories. His next novel, Double Feature, is scheduled for release in March.

If you like psychological drama and thrillers, you might want check out books by Faye and Jonathan Kellerman. This talented couple just happens to be bestselling authors. Faye’s most popular series, which begins with The Ritual Bath, focuses on LAPD detective Peter Decker, while Jonathan’s most popular series opens with When the Bough Breaks and features child psychologist Alex Delaware, who consults with the LAPD to solve heinous crimes.

Perhaps a little steamy romance or a peek into Hollywood’s secrets is more to your reading taste? If so, sisters Jackie and Joan Collins may have some books that will interest you. Some of Joan’s titles include: Prime Time, Misfortune’s Daughters, and The World According to Joan. Jackie also has several novels in her collection including: Drop Dead Beautiful and Goddess of Vengeance. Her newest title, due out this February, is Power Trip.

How about the classics? We’ve all heard of the famous John Steinbeck, but did you know his eldest son, Thomas, is also a writer? With several nonfiction works, a collection of short stories titled Down to a Soundless Sea, and two fiction novels to his credit (In the Shadow of the Cypress and The Silver Lotus), he obviously shares his late father’s love for the craft. And let’s not forget the three Bronte sisters: Charlotte (Jane Eyre), Emily (Wuthering Heights), and Anne (The Tenant of Wildfell Hall).

Some other related authors include: NY Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark (I’ll Walk Alone, Just Take My Heart) and her daughter Carol Higgins Clark (Wrecked, Mobbed); Alice Walker (The Color Purple) and her daughter Rebecca Walker (Baby Love); brothers Frank McCourt (Angela's Ashes) and Malachy McCourt (A Monk Swimming); Anne Rice (Interview With The Vampire, The Witching Hour), her son Christopher Rice (Blindfall and Moonlit Earth), and late sister, Alice Borchardt (Legends of the Wolves trilogy); and Nora Ephron (Crazy Salad/Scribble Scribble) and her author/screenwriter, hubby Nicholas Pileggi (Goodfellas and Casino).

This isn’t the end of the list, of course; but hopefully, it’ll give you a few ideas for the next time you’re looking for an author to check out. The old saying goes, "Blood is thicker than water," and in this case, ink may just be as thick as blood.

Susan E.
Blue Springs North Branch