Oliver

Oliver asked Rick Riordan:

Do people often say your last name wrong? I've been saying Rick Rordian all my life!! My sister pointed it out to me a week ago and I slowly crumble when I remember all the times I've said "Rick ROAR-DIAN" was my favourite author! I'm a sham!!

Rick Riordan Don't worry about it. I mispronounce my own name, too! Riordan really should be pronounced REE-or-dan. That's how they say it in Ireland, where it originates. My branch moved to Texas and decided, 'Let's be different and say it RYE-or-dan.' Dunno why. I never bother correcting people. I answer to everything including, 'Hey, you.' Fun fact: the name was Ó Ríorghbhardáin in Old Irish. Good luck pronouncing that. It means 'the king's bard.' The first time I was in Ireland, I thought, 'At last, I'm in a country where people will be able to pronounce my surname!' My family went to a restaurant in Dublin and gave our name to the host: "Riordan." "Got it!" she said. A few minutes later we heard: "Table of four for Rodriguez!" You can't win . . .

More Answered Questions

Craig

Craig asked Rick Riordan:

i'm not sure how well i'll be able to word this, but i have always been curious about what your process is when it comes to handling background characters. when you create them, do you give them backstories, last names, etc. or do you roll with a basic concept of them and add on trivia later if the thought arises? for example: clovis/pollux vs. lou ellen blackstone/butch walker (and one might even argue will solace)

Jules Reading

Jules Reading asked Rick Riordan:

Hi Mr Riordan ! On a scale from Dead-for-70-years-oracle-of-Delphi to Percy-standing-in-the-water-and-so-ready-to-fight-some-monsters, how excited are you for the TV show to be out ?

Amanda

Amanda asked Rick Riordan:

Is there any hope of a TV (mini?)series like Carnival? It would go SO FAR to introduce RRP to more people! It's my rec after anyone reads "their" book for non-spoilery previews that open up the world. So many everywhere don't know about RRP. Carnival needs more love as an intro to RRP instead of a supplement. Literally no school librarians or teachers in my circle (spread over MO,KS and IL) even knew about RRP.

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