Rick Riordan

Richard Russell Riordan Jr. (/ˈraɪərdən/ RIRE-dən; born June 5, 1964)[1] is an American author, best known for writing the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. Riordan's books have been translated into forty-two languages and sold more than thirty million copies in the United States.[2] 20th Century Fox adapted the first two books of his Percy Jackson series as part of a series of films, while a Disney+ adaptation is in production. His books have spawned related media, such as graphic novels and short story collections.

For persons of a similar name, see Richard Riordan (disambiguation).

Rick Riordan
Riordan in 2018
Riordan in 2018
BornRichard Russell Riordan Jr.
(1964-06-05) June 5, 1964
San Antonio, Texas, U.S.
OccupationNovelist
LanguageEnglish
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Texas at San Antonio
Genre
Years active1997–present
Notable works
SpouseBecky Riordan (m. 1985)
Children2
Signature
Website
rickriordan.com

Riordan's first full-length novel was Big Red Tequila, which became the first book in the Tres Navarre series. His big breakthrough was The Lightning Thief (2005), the first novel in the five-volume Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, which placed a group of modern-day adolescents in a Greco-Roman mythological setting. Since then, Riordan has written The Heroes of Olympus, a sequel to the Percy Jackson series; The Kane Chronicles, a trilogy of similar premise focusing on Egyptian mythology; and Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard, again a trilogy of similar premise focusing on Norse mythology.[3][4] Riordan also helped Scholastic Press develop The 39 Clues series and its spinoffs, and penned its first book, The Maze of Bones.[5] In 2021, he published Daughter of the Deep. His third standalone novel, The Sun and the Star, co-written with author Mark Oshiro, was published on May 2, 2023.[6]

Life and career
Riordan at the 2007 Texas Book Festival with advance publicity for The Battle of the Labyrinth

Riordan was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas. He graduated from Alamo Heights High School, and first attended the music program at North Texas State University, wanting to be a guitarist. He transferred to the University of Texas at Austin and studied English and History. He received his teaching certification in those subjects from the University of Texas at San Antonio. He taught English and Social Studies for eight years at Presidio Hill School in San Francisco.[7][8]

Rick married Becky Riordan in 1985 on the couple's shared birthday.[9] They have two sons, Haley and Patrick. They moved from San Antonio to Boston in June 2013, in conjunction with older son Haley starting college in Boston.[9][10]

Riordan has created several successful book series. Tres Navarre, an adult mystery series about a Texas private eye, won the Shamus, Anthony, and Edgar Awards.[11]

He conceived the idea for the Percy Jackson series as bedtime stories about ancient Greek heroes for his son Haley.[12] Haley had been diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia, inspiring Riordan to make the titular protagonist hyperactive and dyslexic.[13] Riordan published the first novel in the series, The Lightning Thief, in 2005. Four sequels followed, with the last, The Last Olympian, in 2009. Prior to Percy Jackson, Riordan had written the Tres Navarres series, a series of mystery novels for adult readers.[14]

His Percy Jackson & the Olympians series features the titular twelve-year-old who discovers he is the modern-day son of the ancient Greek god Poseidon. 20th Century Fox purchased the film rights and released two feature film adaptations between 2010 and 2013. Following the success of Percy Jackson, Riordan created The Kane Chronicles, which features a modern-day Egyptian pantheon and two new sibling protagonists, Sadie and Carter Kane.[15] Riordan also created a sequel series to Percy Jackson, The Heroes of Olympus.[3]

Riordan also helped create the children's book series The 39 Clues. He authored several of its books, including The Maze of Bones, which topped The New York Times Best Seller list on September 28, 2008.[16] He also wrote the introduction to the Puffin Classics edition of Roger Lancelyn Green's Tales of the Greek Heroes, in which he states that the book influenced him to write his Greek mythology series.[17]

In 2022, Riordan co-wrote the pilot for the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series on Disney+ and is serving as an executive producer for the show.[18] Disney had earlier acquired Fox in 2019, allowing it to gain the rights to adapt the Percy Jackson novels.[19]

Awards

Bibliography

Percy Jackson & the Olympians
Main article: Percy Jackson & the Olympians
  1. The Lightning Thief (2005)
  2. The Sea of Monsters (2006)
  3. The Titan's Curse (2007)
  4. The Battle of the Labyrinth (2008)
  5. The Last Olympian (2009)
  6. The Chalice of the Gods (2023)[35]
  7. Wrath of the Triple Goddess (2024)
  1. The Demigod Files (2009)
  2. The Ultimate Guide (2010, in collaboration with Antonio Caparo, Philip Chidlow, and Keven Hays)
  3. Percy Jackson and the Singer of Apollo (2013; short story published in Guys Read)
  4. Percy Jackson's Greek Gods (2014, illustrations by John Rocco)
  5. Percy Jackson's Greek Heroes (2015, illustrations by John Rocco)
  6. Camp Half-Blood Confidential (2017)
  7. The Percy Jackson Coloring Book (2017, artwork by Keith Robinson)[36]
  8. The Lightning Thief: Illustrated Edition (August 14, 2018, illustrated by John Rocco)[37]

The Heroes of Olympus
Main article: The Heroes of Olympus
  1. The Lost Hero (2010)
  2. The Son of Neptune (2011)
  3. The Mark of Athena (2012)
  4. The House of Hades (2013)
  5. The Blood of Olympus (2014)
  1. The Demigod Diaries (2012)
  2. Demigods of Olympus (2015, interactive e-book)

The Kane Chronicles
Main article: The Kane Chronicles
  1. The Red Pyramid (2010)
  2. The Throne of Fire (2011)
  3. The Serpent's Shadow (2012)
  1. Survival Guide (2012)
  2. Brooklyn House Magician's Manual (2018)[37]

Demigods and Magicians

Published individually first, then as an anthology titled Demigods and Magicians in 2016.[38]

  1. The Son of Sobek (2013)
  2. The Staff of Serapis (2014)
  3. The Crown of Ptolemy (2015)

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
Main article: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard
  1. The Sword of Summer (2015)[39]
  2. The Hammer of Thor (2016)
  3. The Ship of the Dead (2017)
  1. Hotel Valhalla: Guide to the Norse Worlds (2016)[40][41]
  2. The Magnus Chase Coloring Book (August 14, 2018, artwork by Keith Robinson)[37]
  3. 9 from the Nine Worlds (October 2, 2018)[42]

The Trials of Apollo
Main article: The Trials of Apollo
  1. The Hidden Oracle (2016)[38]
  2. The Dark Prophecy (2017)[43]
  3. The Burning Maze (2018)[37][44]
  4. The Tyrant's Tomb (2019)
  5. The Tower of Nero (2020)
  1. Camp Jupiter Classified (2020)[45]

Tres Navarre
  1. Big Red Tequila (1997)
  2. The Widower's Two-Step (1998)
  3. The Last King of Texas (2001)
  4. The Devil Went Down to Austin (2002)
  5. Southtown (2004)
  6. Mission Road (2005)
  7. Rebel Island (2008)

The 39 Clues
Main article: The 39 Clues
  1. The Maze of Bones (2008)
  2. Introduction to The 39 Clues: The Black Book of Buried Secrets (2010)
  3. Vespers Rising (2011, in collaboration with Peter Lerangis, Gordon Korman, and Jude Watson)

Percy Jackson & the Olympians
  1. The Lightning Thief Graphic Novel (2010, in collaboration with Robert Venditti, Nate Powell, and Jose Villarrubia)
  2. The Sea of Monsters Graphic Novel (2013, in collaboration with Robert Venditti, Attila Futaki, and Tamas Gaspar)
  3. The Titan's Curse Graphic Novel (2013, in collaboration with Robert Venditti, Attila Futaki, and Gregory Guilhaumond)
  4. The Battle of Labyrinth Graphic Novel (2018, in collaboration with Robert Venditti, Orpheus Collar and Antoine Dode)
  5. The Last Olympian Graphic Novel (2019, in collaboration with Robert Venditti, Orpheus Collar and Antoine Dode)

The Kane Chronicles
  1. The Red Pyramid Graphic Novel (2012, adapted by Orpheus Collar)
  2. The Throne of Fire Graphic Novel (2015, adapted by Orpheus Collar)
  3. The Serpent's Shadow Graphic Novel (2017, adapted by Orpheus Collar))[46]

The Heroes of Olympus
  1. The Lost Hero Graphic Novel (2014, in collaboration with Robert Venditti, Nate Powell, and Orpheus Collar)
  2. The Son of Neptune Graphic Novel (2017, in collaboration with Robert Venditti, Antoine Dode, and Orpheus Collar)[47]

Standalone novels

Other

Rick Riordan Presents
Main article: Rick Riordan Presents

In September 2016, Disney-Hyperion announced a new Rick Riordan imprint. The imprint is called "Rick Riordan Presents" and was launched in March 2018. It is headed by Riordan's editor, Stephanie Owens Lurie.[49]

Lurie said that Riordan had been approached about an imprint several years ago but initially dismissed the idea because of his heavy workload. Later, he reported back that he had been "toying with the idea" and was "willing to go forward with a publishing line that was not a brand extension for his own work but a platform for Riordan to bring other great writers to the attention of his vast and loyal audience."[49] She also said that the imprint planned to launch with two then undetermined books. "The point of making this announcement now is to get the word out about what we’re looking for.”[49]

The imprint will not publish books written by Riordan, "whose role will be closer to curator".[49] In an interview with the Iowa Gazette, Riordan said, "Instead of me writing all of the mythologies we are going to look for authors who already are writing about that stuff. If I feel like I can recommend them [to my readers] ... we’re going to have them out here in the spotlight."[50] A focus will be placed on "diverse, mythology-based fiction by new, emerging, and under-represented authors". Lurie expressed hopes that the imprint will help satisfy Riordan fans without asking the author to write more than his usual two books a year.[49]

Notes
  1. This book is a part of the Camp Half-Blood Chronicles

References
  1. "Rick Riordan ID Card". Puffin Books. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved April 13, 2012.
  2. Lodge, Sally (August 18, 2011). "First Printing of Three Million for New Percy Jackson Book". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved August 18, 2015. There are 30 million copies in print in the U.S. of the novels in the author's three series for Disney-Hyperion: Percy Jackson & the Olympians, The Kane Chronicles, and The Heroes of Olympus—and the books have been translated into thirty-seven languages.
  3. "Read an excerpt from new Rick Riordan". June 18, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  4. Springen, Karen (May 31, 2012). "Rick Riordan Makes His 'Mark'". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved June 3, 2012. a cruise to the Baltic and Scandinavian countries last summer provided fodder for Riordan's upcoming Norse series
  5. Italie, Hillel (September 1, 2008). "'Potter' publisher looks to promote next big thing". Fox News Channel. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  6. "The Sun and the Star". Kirkus Reviews. May 2, 2023. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  7. "Two Days in the Bay Area | Rick Riordan". May 16, 2008. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  8. "Celebrating 100 Years | Presidio Hill School". www.presidiohill.org. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  9. "Update from Athena House". June 12, 2013. Myth & Mystery: The official blog for author Rick Riordan (rickriordan.blogspot.com). Retrieved November 14, 2015.
  10. Riordan, Rick (January 26, 2014). "Mystery man". Boston Globe Magazine. The Boston Globe (bostonglobe.com). Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  11. "Big Red Tequila". Powells Bookstore. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  12. Williams, Sally (February 8, 2010). "Percy Jackson: My boy's own adventure". The Guardian. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
  13. Bell, Terena (March 1, 2019). "In Rick Riordan's World, ADHD Is Heroic — INTERVIEW". Romper. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  14. "About the Author". powells.com. Retrieved November 12, 2009.
  15. Minzesheimer, Bob; Craig Wilson (January 13, 2011). "Book Buzz: Riordan's 'Fire' ignites May 3 and a big week for e-books". USA Today. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  16. "Children's Books". The New York Times. September 28, 2008. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  17. Lancelyn Green, Roger (1958). Tales of the Greek Heroes (3rd ed.). Puffin. pp. v–vi. ISBN 9780141325286.
  18. Clark, Noelene (June 2, 2022). "Percy Jackson and the Olympians Casts Five Major Characters". TVGuide.com. Retrieved June 4, 2022.
  19. Rought, Karen (December 1, 2019). "'Percy Jackson' reboot may happen at Disney, according to Rick Riordan". Hypable. Archived from the original on June 6, 2022. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  20. "Shamus Award Winners". The Private Eye Writers of America. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  21. "Anthony Award Nominees and Winners". Bouchercon. Archived from the original on February 7, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  22. "Category List – Best Paperback Original". Edgars Database. Mystery Writers of America. Retrieved September 7, 2015.
  23. "Edgar Allan Poe Awards". book.consumerhelpweb.com. Archived from the original on October 12, 2009. Retrieved April 26, 2009.
  24. "Mark Twain Award Previous Winners". Missouri Association of School Librarians. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  25. Riordan, Rick. "2009 Rebecca Caudill Award - Acceptance Letter from Rick Riordan" (PDF). Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  26. Jones, Trevelyn; Luann Toth; Marlene Charnizon; Daryl Grabarek; Joy Fleishhacker (December 1, 2010). "Best Books 2010". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on January 1, 2011. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
  27. "Children's Choice Book Awards Winners Announced!". Children’s Book Council. May 3, 2011. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved October 19, 2012.
  28. "Soaring Eagle Book Award - Nominated Authors 1986 - 2014 Nominees" (PDF). Campbell County Public Library System. p. 5. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  29. "Previous Winners". The Milner Award. Retrieved June 4, 2012.
  30. "Indian Paintbrush Book Award by Author Name 1986 - 2014 Nominees" (PDF). Campbell County Public Library System. p. 8. Retrieved February 21, 2014.
  31. "'Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor' and 'If I Was Your Girl' win 2017 Stonewall Children's and Young Adult Literature Award". ALA News. American Library Association. January 23, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  32. "Additional ALA Awards 2017". The Horn Book Online. The Horn Book Magazine. January 23, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  33. Roback, Diane (January 23, 2017). "Barnhill, Steptoe, 'March: Book Three' Win Newbery, Caldecott, Printz". Publishers Weekly Online. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  34. "Winners of the 2017 Youth Media Awards | ALA Midwinter 2017". School Library Journal: Industry News. School Library Journal. January 23, 2017. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  35. Ulatowski, Rachel (October 20, 2022). "'Percy Jackson and the Chalice of the Gods' Release Date, Characters, Plot, and More". The Mary Sue. Retrieved February 6, 2023.
  36. "The Percy Jackson Coloring Book – Rick Riordan". rickriordan.com. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  37. "Rick Riordan Announces New Books for 2018". readriordan.com. October 17, 2017. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  38. "Rick Riordan announces 'Trials of Apollo' series set in Percy Jackson's world". Hypable. October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 7, 2015.
  39. "The Sword of Summer". ReadRiordan.com. Disney-Hyperion. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  40. Riordan, Rick (August 16, 2016). For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds: Your Introduction to Deities, Mythical Beings, & Fantastic Creatures. Disney Hyperion.
  41. Riordan, Rick (May 23, 2016). "For Magnus Chase: Hotel Valhalla Guide to the Norse Worlds". Series Info: Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard. Rick Riordan. Retrieved September 13, 2016.
  42. "9 from the Nine Worlds Cover Revealed". readriordan.com. February 8, 2018. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
  43. "The Trials of Apollo – Rick Riordan". rickriordan.com. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  44. Riordan, Rick (May 1, 2018). The Trials of Apollo, Book Three: The Burning Maze. Disney Hyperion.
  45. "CAMP JUPITER CLASSIFIED". Read Riordan. November 6, 2019.
  46. Riordan, Rick; Collar, Orpheus (October 3, 2017). The Kane Chronicles, Book Three, The Serpent's Shadow: The Graphic Novel. Disney-Hyperion. ISBN 9781484782347.
  47. Riordan, Rick; Venditti, Robert (February 21, 2017). The Heroes of Olympus, Book Two, The Son of Neptune: The Graphic Novel. Disney-Hyperion. ISBN 9781484716212.
  48. Daughter of the Deep. OCLC 1263256204 – via WorldCat.
  49. Corbett, Sue (September 13, 2016). "Disney Announces New Rick Riordan Imprint". Publishers Weekly Online. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved May 28, 2017.
  50. Kuennen, Alyson (October 31, 2016). "Rick Riordan brings stories to Iowa City". TheGazette.com. The Iowa Gazette. Retrieved May 28, 2017.

Further reading
  • Art at Our Doorstep: San Antonio Writers and Artists featuring Riordan. Edited by Nan Cuba and Riley Robinson (Trinity University Press, 2008).
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