Rick Riordan was born on June 5, 1964, in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a double major in English and history, he taught in public and private middle schools for many years. He writes several children's series including Percy Jackson and the Olympians, The Kane Chronicles, and The Heroes of Olympus. He also writes the Tres Navarre mystery series for adults. His short fiction has been featured in Mary Higgins Clark Mystery Magazine and Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. He has won Edgar, Anthony, and Shamus Awards for his mystery novels.