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Richard RiordanAmerican writer
Date of Birth: 05.06.1964
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Early Life and Career
- Literary Breakthrough: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
- Ongoing Success and Diverse Series
- Upcoming Projects
Early Life and Career
Richard Russell Riordan Jr. was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating high school, he attended the University of Texas. Following university, Rick Riordan pursued a career in education, teaching English and social studies for eight years at a middle school in San Francisco.
Literary Breakthrough: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Despite his success as a teacher, Riordan's literary aspirations soon took flight. His most renowned work, the "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series, emerged from stories he told his son, Haley, who struggled with ADHD and dyslexia. Haley's fascination with Greek mythology inspired Riordan to create his own original tales.
In June 1994, Riordan completed the manuscript for "The Lightning Thief" and embarked on a search for an agent and editor. After receiving feedback from test readers and making revisions, he signed a publishing contract with Bantam Books in June 1997. The book was released on July 28, 2005, selling over 1.2 million copies.
Ongoing Success and Diverse Series
Beyond Percy Jackson, Riordan has written several other successful series. "Tres Navarre" is a mystery series geared towards adults, featuring an erudite Texan private detective. "The Kane Chronicles" explores Egyptian mythology, with three books in the series. Riordan later penned "Heroes of Olympus," a direct sequel to the Percy Jackson books. He has also contributed to the children's series "The 39 Clues."
Upcoming Projects
In 2015, Riordan launched a new series inspired by Norse mythology. He continues to captivate readers of all ages with his imaginative storytelling and accessible, engaging characters. Despite some accusations of similarities to the Harry Potter series, Riordan's work remains a unique and celebrated contribution to modern fantasy literature.
