THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF
ALFRED KROPP by Rick Yancey

Fast Facts

1. Before becoming a writer, Rick Yancey worked for 12 years in a much less creative profession as an IRS tax collector.
   
   
2. In addition to THE EXTRAORDINARY ADVENTURES OF ALFRED KROPP, Rick has written books for adults including a memoir about his adventures as a tax collector and a detective novel.
   
   
3. Rick met his wife when they worked together at the IRS, and despite the many rejections he faced on the road to becoming a writer, she remained his biggest fan and encouraged him never to give up his dream.
   
   
4. The Yanceys live in Knoxville, Tennessee (the same town where Alfred goes to live with his Uncle Farrell) with their three boys and two dogs, Maddie and Casey.
   
   
5. Rick loved playing with swords as a boy, as does his eight-year-old son Jacob, and they spend hours play-fighting with them.
   
   
6. Rick's favorite children's books are CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY (because it's funny) and THE HOBBIT (because he loves its whimsy and adventure).
   
   
7. Because he writes best away from his desk, most of Rick's writing is done on a laptop while waiting for his sons during soccer or karate practice. He has also written beside pools, on porches, and even in his bed at night!
   
   
8. Rick wrote his first book at the age of 14 (when he was only a year younger than Alfred Kropp), but it has taken many years since then to become a published author.
   
   
9. In school, reading was Rick's favorite subject and math was his least favorite (which might explain why Alfred has such trouble with the latter!).
   
   
10. The 15-year-old character of Alfred Kropp was originally conceived as a 33-year-old night watchman. Thankfully, this character wasn't working out with the story and young Alfred was born!
    
    

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