A longtime teacher before becoming a full-time author, Rick Riordan is known for writing novels that take elements of history and mythology and make them accessible for children. His best-known work is the Percy Jackson series, a modern take on the story of Perseus that weaves elements of Greek mythology into a contemporary fantasy story. Riordan went on to publish other book series based on different mythologies, creating a popular template in the middle grade publishing space. After fielding many requests to write books using mythology from around the world, Riordan launched an imprint of Disney Hyperion books dedicated to middle-grade fiction based on mythologies written by diverse creators. Riordan’s books have sold over 30 million copies.

Rick Riordan’s writing style is colloquial and accessible, using “short, snappy sentences” and straightforward diction (“An Interview With Rick.” Rick Riordan). He does not believe in writing down to children, believing that both child and adult readers want the same things: “a fast-paced story, characters worth carrying about, humor, surprises and mystery” (“An Interview With Rick”). His protagonists tend to be flawed, realistic children whom readers can relate to and who embark on extraordinary, action-packed adventures.