Rick Riordan

Rick Riordan – Life, Works, and Legacy


Dive into the life of Rick Riordan (born June 5, 1964) — from teacher to bestselling author of Percy Jackson and more. Explore his early years, writing philosophy, major series, and enduring influence.

Introduction

Richard Russell “Rick” Riordan Jr. (born June 5, 1964) is an American author best known for reimagining ancient mythologies in modern settings for young readers.

He gained global fame with Percy Jackson & the Olympians, and has since created multiple mythology-driven series, contributing to a resurgence of interest in myth, fantasy, and inclusive middle-grade literature.

Early Life and Education

Rick Riordan was born in San Antonio, Texas, on June 5, 1964.

As a child, Riordan did not immediately fall in love with reading — it was during middle school that his interest grew, especially when he encountered works like The Lord of the Rings and mythology.

In high school (Alamo Heights High School, San Antonio), he wrote and edited for the school newspaper and submitted fiction to magazines, though early rejections did not deter him.

He went on to attend University of Texas–Austin, studying English and History, and later obtained a teaching certification at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Teaching Career & Prelude to Writing

Before becoming a full-time author, Rick Riordan spent about 15 years teaching English and history at middle schools in Texas and in the San Francisco Bay Area.

During his teaching years, he also penned mystery novels for adults. His first full-length novel was Big Red Tequila (1997), the start of his Tres Navarre series.

The classroom environment, student engagement, and his own interest in myth and narrative heavily influenced his later shift to mythological fantasy.

Literary Breakthrough & Major Works

Birth of Percy Jackson

Riordan’s big breakthrough came with The Lightning Thief (2005), the first book of Percy Jackson & the Olympians. The series reimagines Greek mythology in the modern world, centering on a twelve-year-old demigod, Percy Jackson.

An important personal motivation: Riordan created Percy Jackson’s character in bedtime stories for his son, Haley, who had been diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia. These traits were integrated into Percy as a way to help readers who shared similar challenges feel seen.

The original Percy Jackson & the Olympians series consists of five books:

  1. The Lightning Thief

  2. The Sea of Monsters

  3. The Titan’s Curse

  4. The Battle of the Labyrinth

  5. The Last Olympian

He later added “The Chalice of the Gods” (2023) and Wrath of the Triple Goddess (2024) to extend Percy’s narrative.

Expanded Mythology Series

Riordan’s success with Greek mythology led him to further series exploring other mythic traditions:

  • The Heroes of Olympus — sequel to Percy Jackson, blending Greek and Roman mythology.

  • The Kane Chronicles — centered on Egyptian mythology, starring siblings Carter and Sadie Kane.

  • Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard — focused on Norse mythology.

  • The Trials of Apollo — a series where Apollo is cast down as a mortal, weaving into the Camp Half-Blood universe.

Other works include The 39 Clues (Riordan contributed The Maze of Bones) and stand-alone works like Daughter of the Deep.

Riordan also launched Rick Riordan Presents, an imprint that champions mythology-based fiction by diverse authors—not works by himself—but curated by him.

Themes, Style & Philosophy

Myth + Modernity

A hallmark of Riordan’s writing is the fusion of ancient myth with modern settings: gods, monsters, and heroes live (or hide) in today’s world.

This blending allows readers to connect personally, seeing the divine and extraordinary amid the familiar.

Diversity & Inclusivity

Riordan aims for characters who reflect a variety of identities—neurodivergence, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, etc. He has publicly emphasized making all readers “feel welcome and respected.”

Accessibility & Engagement

He believes young readers need fast pacing, humor, mystery, and characters worth caring about — the same essentials adults enjoy.

Moreover, Riordan’s experience as a teacher informed his skill in making complex mythic concepts understandable and exciting for middle-grade audiences.

Legacy, Impact & Adaptations

Sales & Reach

Riordan’s books have been translated into over 40 languages and have sold tens of millions of copies.

He has won multiple awards (e.g., Edgar, Anthony, Shamus) for his early works and many of his children’s novels have been bestselling.

Screen & Media Adaptations

  • Two Percy Jackson films were released (2010, 2013) by 20th Century Fox (Riordan was not deeply involved)

  • In 2023, a Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson & the Olympians premiered, with Riordan serving as co-creator and executive producer.

  • The show has already won Emmy Awards including for writing and for Outstanding Young Teen Series.

Beyond films and television, his mythological universe has expanded into graphic novels, companion guides, short stories, and more.

Influence on Young Readers & Literature

Riordan’s success helped spark a renewed interest in mythology-based fantasy among middle-grade readers. His approach—grounded in respect for ancient stories but openly playful—has inspired many authors and encouraged more diverse voices in speculative children’s literature.

His emphasis on representation, struggles like dyslexia/ADHD, and characters with depth has provided many readers with characters who feel seen and hopeful.

Notable Quotes & Reflections

Here are a few quotes and sentiments from Rick Riordan, sourced from his writings and public statements:

“I think kids want the same thing from a book that adults want— a fast-paced story, characters worth caring about, humor, surprises, and mystery.”

“I love teaching … I love working with kids … maybe some day I’ll go back to the classroom.”

On the film adaptations of Percy Jackson, Riordan said he hasn’t watched them, judging by the scripts, and believes they “do a disservice” to his work.

These reflect his commitment to story and integrity over spectacle, and his ongoing tie to education.

Lessons from Rick Riordan’s Journey

  1. Write what you love & what helps others
    Riordan turned bedtime stories for his son into a career, blending personal motivation and storytelling.

  2. Blend the timeless with the contemporary
    Making ancient myths speak to modern challenges helps stories resonate across generations.

  3. Be inclusive
    By giving space to neurodivergent or underrepresented identities, Riordan ensures more readers can see themselves as heroes.

  4. Stay grounded in craft
    His teaching background shows how clarity, structure, and empathy matter as much as imagination.

  5. Adapt and expand, but stay true
    He branches into new mythologies, editing, and media, yet he remains loyal to strong narrative and character integrity.

Conclusion

Rick Riordan’s work has reshaped the world of middle-grade fantasy. By weaving myth with adventure, creating diverse, relatable characters, and maintaining a deep respect for readers and readers’ needs, he has left a lasting mark on literature and popular culture.

His legacy continues through his books, adaptations, and the authors he mentors via Rick Riordan Presents. For fans new and old, exploring Riordan’s world is as much about adventure as it is about belonging.

If you’d like, I can also produce a full timeline of his books, or an in-depth analysis of one of his series (e.g. Percy Jackson). Which would you prefer?

Articles by the author

Every child's taste is different. Don't worry if they're not reading 'War and Peace' at age 12. First, build a good foundation and a positive attitude about reading by letting them pick the stories they enjoy. Make friends with a bookseller or librarian. They are a wealth of information on finding books that kids enjoy.

Rick Riordan

It's not easy. I got lots of rejections when I first started out. If you want to write, you have to believe in yourself and not give up. You have to do your best to practice and get better.

Rick Riordan

I don't think about being famous, really. Being an author, I don't generally get stopped as I walk down the street. It's not like being a movie star.

Rick Riordan

I love Norse mythology - Thor and Odin and Loki - amazing characters.

Rick Riordan

I think children love reading, and they will make time for it if we put the right books into their hands. And I hope I get the chance to keep being one of the people that writes them.

Rick Riordan

I think kids want the same thing from a book that adults want - a fast-paced story, characters worth caring about, humor, surprises, and mystery. A good book always keeps you asking questions, and makes you keep turning pages so you can find out the answers.

Rick Riordan

When I was young, my favorite picture book was 'Fletcher and Zenobia,' written by Edward Gorey and illustrated by Victoria Chess. It's long out of print now, but its mix of macabre humor and 1960s psychedelia made it a perfect children's book for the times.

Rick Riordan

I do like to wrap things up and leave some things to the readers' imagination.

Rick Riordan

My goal in the classroom was always to make sure they were having so much fun that they didn't realize they were learning.

Rick Riordan

I can't promise that every child with learning differences will become a novelist, but I do think all children can become lifelong readers.

Rick Riordan

If the parents are too busy to read, it's a safe bet the children will feel the same way. Set aside time for family reading each night. It doesn't matter so much what the kids read, as long as you provide them space for reading and a sense that it is a valuable part of your daily routine.

Rick Riordan

I'm a teacher still, but with a much larger classroom.

Rick Riordan

As a teacher, I've never seen anything like 'Harry Potter.' That's why I smart when people talk about the 'next' 'Harry Potter.' There is no 'next' 'Harry Potter.'

Rick Riordan

I tend to think of a myth and then explore how it would play out if it were happening in the modern-day world. I modify all the myths I use, but I stick very closely to their structure - it is the hidden teacher in me.

Rick Riordan

I've been reading Greek mythology since I was a kid. I also taught it when I was a sixth grade teacher, so I knew a lot of mythological monsters already. Sometimes I still use books and Web sites to research, though. Every time I research Greek mythology, I learn something new!

Rick Riordan

I loved the idea of making history interesting for kids! When Scholastic approached me about 'The 39 Clues', I immediately started going through the 'greatest hits' from my years as a social studies teacher, and picked the historical characters and eras that most appealed to my students.

Rick Riordan

When I write, I'm still imagining a kid reading it on paper. I read e-books when I travel, but in general I still prefer holding an old-fashioned book in my hands. There's a special, tactile experience.

Rick Riordan