World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Rick Riordan

リック・リオーダン

Rikku Riōdan

Profile

Gender
Male
Born
1964-06-05 （San Antonio, Texas, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
San Antonio, Texas (birthplace) → Boston, Massachusetts (resident since 2013)

Career

Occupations
Novelist, Author, Former middle school teacher
Active Years
1997-2025
Influenced By
Roger Lancelyn Green, Robert Fagles, Classical mythology and children's retellings
Influenced
Younger authors published under the 'Rick Riordan Presents' imprint, A generation of children's/YA writers reinterpreting mythology

Education

Alamo Heights High School
Country: United States
North Texas State University (music program)
Music
Country: United States
Initially attended for a music program; intended to be a guitarist
University of Texas at Austin
English and History
Degree: 学士（英語・歴史）
Country: United States
Studied English and History; later obtained teaching certification
University of Texas at San Antonio (teaching certification)
Education
Degree: Teaching Certification
Country: United States
Received teaching certification in English and Social Studies

Awards

Shamus Award
1998
Work: Big Red Tequila
Category: Best First PI Novel
Organization: Private Eye Writers of America
Result: Won
Anthony Award
1998
Work: Big Red Tequila
Category: Best Paperback Original
Organization: Bouchercon
Result: Won
Edgar Award
1999
Work: The Widower's Two-Step
Category: Best Paperback Original
Organization: Mystery Writers of America
Result: Won
Mark Twain Award
2008
Work: The Lightning Thief
Organization: Missouri Association of School Librarians
Result: Won
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
2009
Work: The Lightning Thief
Organization: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
Result: Won
Milner Award
2011
Work: Percy Jackson & the Olympians (series)
Organization: The Milner Award
Result: Won
Goodreads Choice Award
2011
Work: The Son of Neptune
Category: Middle Grade and Children's
Organization: Goodreads
Result: Won
Goodreads Choice Award
2014
Work: The Blood of Olympus
Category: Middle Grade and Children's
Organization: Goodreads
Result: Won
Geffen Award
2012
Work: The Son of Neptune
Category: Best Translated Fantasy Book
Organization: Geffen Award
Result: Won
Stonewall Book Award (Children's Literature)
2017
Work: The Hammer of Thor
Category: Children's Literature
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: Won
Dragon Award
2017
Work: The Hammer of Thor
Category: Best Young Adult / Middle-Grade Novel
Organization: Dragon Con
Result: Won
Goodreads Choice Award
2020
Work: The Tower of Nero
Category: Middle Grade and Children's
Organization: Goodreads
Result: Won
Goodreads Choice Award
2021
Work: Daughter of the Deep
Category: Middle Grade and Children's
Organization: Goodreads
Result: Won
Geffen Award
2024
Work: The Chalice of the Gods
Category: Best Young Adult Book
Organization: Geffen Award
Result: Won
Children's and Family Emmy Awards (Outstanding Young Teen Series)
2025
Work: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (TV series)
Category: Outstanding Young Teen Series
Organization: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Result: Won
Children's and Family Emmy Awards (Writing for a Young Teen Program)
2025
Work: Episode: "I Accidentally Vaporize My Pre-Algebra Teacher" (pilot)
Category: Outstanding Writing for a Young Teen Program
Organization: The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
Result: Won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Lightning Thief

2005 Mythological fantasy

Twelve-year-old Percy Jackson discovers he is the son of Poseidon and embarks on an adventure with friends to resolve a divine conflict.

FriendshipIdentityReinterpretation of ancient mythsPositive portrayal of ADHD and dyslexia
Adaptations
  • [Film] Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (film) / Chris Columbus (2010)
  • [TV series] Percy Jackson and the Olympians (TV series) (2023)
Translations
  • Translated into Japanese and many other languages

The Blood of Olympus

2014 Mythological fantasy

Final book of The Heroes of Olympus series, in which the heroes face a climactic battle to save Olympus and the world.

Hero's journeySacrifice and friendshipFusion of multiple mythologies

Big Red Tequila

1997 Mystery

First novel in the Tres Navarre mystery series set in Texas.

Hard-boiled detective fictionStrong sense of place (Texas)

Bibliography

  • Big Red Tequila (1997)
  • The Lightning Thief (2005)
  • The Sea of Monsters (2006)
  • The Titan's Curse (2007)
  • The Blood of Olympus (2014)
  • The Red Pyramid (2010)
  • The Sword of Summer (2015)
  • The Hidden Oracle (2016)
  • Daughter of the Deep (2021)
  • The Sun and the Star (co-written, 2023)

Adaptations

  • Film series: Percy Jackson (2010, 2013)
  • TV series: Percy Jackson and the Olympians (Disney+, 2023)
  • Stage/musical adaptations (e.g. The Lightning Thief musical)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Conversational, fast-paced proseHumor-infused narrationMyth retelling adapted for younger readers
Recurring Motifs
Modernized ancient mythsFound familyQuests and trialsPortraying disabilities as strengths

Legacy

Rick Riordan is an internationally popular author who reinterpreted classical mythologies for young readers. His series have sold tens of millions of copies, spawned film and television adaptations and other media, and significantly influenced popular culture. Through the "Rick Riordan Presents" imprint he has also helped bring diverse, mythology-based voices to a wider audience.

Academic Societies

  • American Library Association
  • Children's Book Council (U.S.)

Archives

  • Library of Congress

In Popular Culture

  • Film adaptations of Percy Jackson (2010, 2013)
  • Disney+ TV adaptation (2023) and related media expansion
  • Numerous spin-offs such as graphic novels, merchandise and stage adaptations

Quotes

  • I conceived the idea for the Percy Jackson series as bedtime stories for my son—telling modern versions of Greek heroes' tales.
    Source: The Guardian (interview) (2010)
  • Instead of me writing all of the mythologies, we're going to look for authors who already are writing about that stuff.
    Source: Iowa Gazette (interview) (2016)

Trivia

  • Born June 5, 1964.
  • Broke out with Big Red Tequila and won awards such as the Shamus, Anthony and Edgar.
  • The Percy Jackson books have sold tens of millions of copies in the U.S. and been translated into dozens of languages.
  • His son's ADHD and dyslexia inspired the portrayal of neurodivergent heroes.
  • Served as co-creator and executive producer on the Disney+ Percy Jackson TV series and won Children's & Family Emmy Awards (2025).