Still, his success was still modest. Rick was nowhere near a household name. I remember going to hear him and Sue Henry read at Murder by the Book, and there were about 10 folks total in the audience.
And then he started making up stories for his kid. Read more about how Rick started the Percy Jackson series here.
I still have Rick's email, but I haven't emailed him in at least four years. I would feel funny using it. I would imagine his life is on a whole different plane now.