In 1960, Reed married Priscilla Thompson. Their daughter, Timothy (1960–2021), was born the same year.[19] Timothy dedicated her semi-autobiographical book Showing Out (Thunder's Mouth Press, 2003) to her father.
Reed and Thompson divorced in 1970.[20] Since 1970, he has been married to writer and teacher Carla Blank. Their daughter, Tennessee, is also an author.[20]