Amy Bishop Plot Thickens: Accused University of Alabama Shooter is Cousin of Author John Irving
Photo: Amy Bishop.
Bishop is the second cousin of John Irving, a publicist for the author confirmed today.
Irving is writing a novel and declined to comment about his relationship with Bishop's family. Random House publicist Anne Tate except said he is a cousin of Judith Bishop, who is Amy Bishop's mother.
Photo: Novelist John Irving.
According to book club acquaintances, Bishop often said she hoped the connection would help her publish her three novels, which she viewed as a way out of the frustrations of her university job, the Boston Globe reported.
Rob Dinsmoor, who was in a writer's group north of Boston with Bishop, said she told him that Irving gave her advice on writing and finding an agent.
Among Irving's best-known books are "The World According to Garp," "A Prayer for Owen Meany" and "The Cider House Rules."
Amy Bishop is accused of shooting six of her peers during a University of Alabama staff meeting Feb. 12. Three died. Three have so far survived. She is charged with capital murder and may face the death penalty.
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