Writing History/Influences
Rick Riordan started writing when he was in middle school. The first story he tried to get published was when he was 13. It wasn’t published. His first published works were two short stories in the UTSA literary magazine. When he was in college, he worked for three years as the music director at a summer camp, Camp Capers. This is where he got the idea for Camp Half-Blood. He worked as an editor for the school newspaper and won third place in state for UIL feature writing. His parents were both teachers. His mom was a musician and an artist, too. His dad was a ceramicist (he made stuff out of clay), so he grew up in a very artistic family. “The first book I remember reading for fun was the Lord of the Rings. I probably read it ten times” Rick says. Rick has liked Greek and Norse mythology since he was in middle school. This influenced him in writing mythology based books. He read mostly fantasy and science fiction in high school, and then got interested in mysteries when he got to college.Rick attended Alamo Heights High School in San Antonio and began college at North Texas State but then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin. He graduated with a double major in English and history.
The Creation of Percy Jackson
Rick created Percy as a bed-time story for his son Haley. He let his son read the manuscript. He and said it was great. To be sure it would interest older kids Rick picked a few of his sixth, seventh and eighth graders and asked them if
they’d be willing to “test drive” the novel. Fortunately, the kids really liked it, and had some good suggestions, too. They helped pick the title for the book; they also had some ideas on how Percy should act if he had ADHD (attention
deficit hyperactivity disorder). One student helped refine the way Percy’s sword, Riptide, worked
Family and Spare Time
Rick lives with his wife and two sons, Haley and Patrick. Rick has one dog (a Golden Labrador mix)and two black cats. Rick also likes to read,swim, play guitar, and travel with his family. He also enjoys playing video games with his kids like World of Warcraft or games on the Wii.
Fun Facts
He once got in trouble for publishing an underground newspaper that made fun of the school, especially the losing football team. (The football team later egged his car)
Rick has published 22 books. 16 are children’s books about mythology with one in progress and two planned.
Rick only started writing about mythology because his son asked him to, his son has ADHD and dyslexia which is why Percy has it
For eight years Rick taught at Presidio Hill School
Born June, 6 1964 San Antonio, TX
Rick would love to do a Norse-based book someday, but has so many other projects to do first; it will be several years before he can even start.
Education/Awards
Rick attended Alamo Heights High School and began college at North Texas State but then transferred to University of Texas at Austin. He graduated with a double major in English and history. In 2011 Rick won author of the year at the Children's Choice Awards .
Children's Books/ Series
Percy Jackson and the Olympians
The Heroes of Olympus
The Kane Chronicles
The Heroes of Olympus
The Kane Chronicles
http://www.rickriordan.com/about-rick/biography.aspx