iUniverse Announces the Release of Nel Rand's Mississippi Flyway

Themes of Incest and Racial Prejudice Serve as Roots to Plotline.

New York, NY, January 20, 2008 --(PR.com)-- Nel Rand’s decision to begin writing her first novel wasn’t necessarily a conscious one. With what began as an outlet for creative expression, naturally evolved into a story fabricated by her own life journey in Rand’s recently published novel, Mississippi Flyway.

Set in 1967 in the basin of the Mississippi River, Mississippi Flyway is the story of Ellie Moon, who goes on a three-week road trip with her estranged father, Tiny, conman and famous gambler. They travel along the Mississippi River from St. Louis south to New Orleans, while being chased by a crazed Kentucky sheriff seeking revenge on Tiny. Amidst poker games, a near drowning in the Mississippi River and a Voodoo ceremony, Ellie recollects her veiled and dark childhood experiences; realizing remembrance is the first step to forgiveness.

With the setting of Mississippi Flyway as the landscape of Rand’s youth, her fond, but often times disturbing childhood memories easily paint an authentic picture from start to finish. The affairs that shaped Rand’s own life, such as sexual abuse by her father and racial prejudices in segregated southern society, become prominent themes experienced by the protagonist. The characters, although largely altered, are a conglomeration of people Rand has known throughout her life, giving each a very real and lifelike quality.

“Even though it was not a conscious intent, I think the story deals with questions we all ask ourselves. ‘Why are we here? What are the important things to gain from living a life? How do we deal with our losses?’” states Rand. “I think good fiction can be, not only highly entertaining, but can teach us a little more about ourselves as human beings and remind us of our humanity.”

A beautifully written novel, Mississippi Flyway engages readers from start to finish in a very personal, haunting, yet entertaining story of self-discovery. Rand’s dynamic character development and intriguing plot line takes readers on a thought-provoking adventure and leaves them with feelings of hope for those suffering from pain and hardship.

About iUniverse

iUniverse offers a variety of publishing services to help individuals publish, market and sell fiction, poetry and nonfiction books. The company utilizes print-on-demand technology, and is one of the largest self-publishing companies in the United States, publishing more than 5,000 new titles each year. The iUniverse management team has extensive editorial and managerial experience with traditional publishers such as HarperCollins, Putnam, Simon & Schuster and Holtzbrinck. iUniverse partners with industry leading author organizations, including the Authors Guild, the Harlem Writers Guild and the American Society of Journalists and Authors (ASJA) to bring innovative programs to their members. iUniverse has strategic alliances with Barnes & Noble, Inc. in the U.S. and Chapters Indigo in Canada and has offices in New York, Shanghai and Lincoln, Neb.

About Nel Rand

Nel Rand is a former art therapist, and has been a studio painter and a fiber artist for half a century. Rand was born in Missouri and grew up in southern Illinois and western Kentucky, and currently resides in Oregon.

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