All In the Family

I saw a review of Peter Leonard’s first book, Quiver,which was described as a disappointing debut by the son of legendary crime writer Elmore Leonard in the March 10^th Publishers Weekly. It got me thinking about other authors’ children who enter the field. I just finished Duma Key by Stephen King. In the novel he mentions a few times a mysterious “heart shaped box,” which also happens to be the title of his son’s breakout novel. His son, unlike the other children listed here, chose to write under a different surname, so as to avoid comparison with his father.

Peter Leonard, son of Elmore Leonard
Joe Hill, son of Stephen King, Stephen’s wife Tabitha also writes
Jesse Kellerman, son of Faye and Jonathan Kellerman, both authors
Brian Herbert, son of Frank Herbert
Carol Higgins Clark, daughter of Mary Higgins Clark
Robin Pilcher, son of Rosamunde Pilcher

I wonder, is it an advantage, or disadvantage, to have a famous parent who also writes for a living?