Leonard Bishop

Leonard Bishop (October 17, 1922 – December 20, 2002) was an American novelist, writing teacher, and newspaper columnist. He wrote for over five decades, only stopping two weeks before his death in 2002. He has worked alongside other famous authors such as Mario Puzo, William Styron, Joseph Heller, Richard Wright, and Harlan Ellison. Bishop has been recognized as one of the seven top writing teachers in the United States. His career in writing and teaching is archived at Boston University in the Leonard Bishop Collection.

Biography

Leonard Bishop was born October 17, 1922, in New York City, where he grew up. He was raised in extreme poverty, spending a year with his older brother, Bernard, in a Catholic orphanage because his mother, Esther, couldn't support them. He had a difficulty for learning and soon dropped out. Leonard began to steal to help support his family but was sent to a camp in Maine to learn a trade. After completing the program he became a hobo and traveled around the country on trains. Days of My Love, Dial Press, New York, NY (1953). Creep Into Thy Narrow Bed, Dial Press, New York, NY (1954). The Butchers, Dial Press, New York, NY (1956). The Angry Time, Frederick Fell, New York, NY (1960). Make My Bed in Hell, Gold Medal Books, New York, NY (1961). The Desire Years, Gold Medal Books, New York, NY (1962). Against Heaven's Hand, Random House, New York, NY (1963). The Everlasting, Poseidon Press, New York, NY (1982). Dare To Be a Great Writer: 329 Keys to Powerful Fiction, Writers Digest Books, Cincinnati, OH (1988). Biography of Maurice Utrillo Centennial Edition for Southern Pacific Railroad The Life and Times of William Penn Patrick Another Day, Another Dollar (a work that began as a novel in 1966, and was eventually published in a short story version) Wicked No More (unpublished, 1967–1968) 350 articles written for The Manhattan Mercury (1986 - 2002)