Naperville author to donate a portion of proceeds of debut novel to Marklund

June 25, 2010 - PRLog -- A member of Marklund’s Board of Directors – Nahid Sewell of Naperville - has written a novel titled, “The Ruby Tear Catcher.” A portion of proceeds of the sale of the book will be donated to Marklund, a not-for-profit that provides compassionate care for infants, children and adults with severe developmental disabilities.

“This book has been a labor of love and indeed a very personal journey as the story is based on real events and real people I know,” Sewell said. “Ultimately, I hope to help people see that we are all children of God, equally deserving of respect and dignity regardless of race, religion, or gender.”

Author Nahid Sewell was born in Tehran, Iran, before the Islamic Revolution. After finishing high school in Tehran, she came to the United States, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree and an MBA from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.

Following graduation, Sewell began a successful career in Information Technology. While holding full-time positions and raising a family, she began writing a series of technical articles and was a frequent conference speaker.

Her first non-fiction book, A to Z of EDI, was a best-seller in its category. She followed with three additional non-fiction books. Sewell has written well over 250 articles for trade publications, with eight featured as cover articles. She has served as a columnist for two magazines and earned a writing award for her article published in the iSeries Network magazine. She is also an award-winning speaker.

While establishing herself as a successful author and executive, Sewell married an American man and has raised two sons. Her husband, who lived for twenty years in a Christian community, provided much of the context for Christian fundamentalism in this, her debut novel.

Together, their life’s experiences provide color and add authenticity to this fictional story of an Iranian woman’s struggle against intolerance. Their shared vision of a world where men and women of all colors and cultures, all races and religions, recognize their interconnected oneness gave life to this book.

A synopsis

The novel is a heart-warming story of Leila, an Iranian woman whose life is uprooted during the Islamic Revolution in Iran in the 1970s and '80s. While jailed for her father’s anti-régime sentiments, she tells her story in flashback. A story of triumph and hope in the face of fanaticism and intolerance, Leila’s tale echoes real events that shaped the lives of real people.

It is a tale of love---the love of a father for his daughter, a sister’s adoration of her brother, and her love for a Christian man, a relationship torn asunder by the strong influence of their disparate religions.

Sewell hopes to enable a better understanding of the plight of women in the Middle East---the women in Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, or other places that suffer under cultural and religious traditions that see women as second class, who are not treated with respect.

“I was one of the lucky ones---having a father who believed I was second to none, the means to get a great education, and the good fortune to have the support of my family in everything I chose to do,” Sewell said. “I dedicate this book to my brave sisters in the Middle East. There is hope and love in our hearts for you.”

At its heart, The Ruby Tear Catcher’s message is the interconnected oneness of all humanity, the belief that despite religious and cultural differences, we are all the same. A poignant portrait of Iran, it’s a story of sadness and joy, unveiling the human emotions behind historical events.

“My hope is that this novel will bring understanding and compassion to people from all walks of life who suffer discrimination because of their gender, religion, culture or even handicap,” Sewell says. “If this novel touches the life of one person, then I’ve achieved my life’s purpose.”

The book is available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other major retailers, as well as through the website -- http://www.therubytearcatcher.com.

For more information about Marklund, call Vicki Krystof at 630-593-5482 or visit http://www.marklund.org.

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Founded in 1954, Marklund enriches the lives of those with special healthcare needs by honoring the unique purpose of each individual. Those served are able to enjoy a full and meaningful life supported by a compassionate nurturing environment; a strong partnership with the community; and an unmatched dedication to personal growth. Marklund’s vision: Rising above limitations. Marklund is not-for-profit.

Marklund’s main campus in Geneva, Ill., consists of six 16-bed residential homes for adults with severe and profound developmental disabilities as well as an educational and training center that provides for the intensive medical, social, emotional and physical needs of the residents.