In addition to a lot of awards for his work as a reporter, Rand won 2nd place in the Writer's of the Future contest, 3rd place in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, Volume 2, and has received four honorable mentions in Year's Best anthologies. Rand has worked as a freelance writer, reporter, photographer, talkshow host and producer, editor, PR flack, furniture mover, temporary secretary, teacher, print and broadcast ad peddler, and announcer for sports events, daredevil shows, air shows, mudbogs, and stock car races. Rand has family in Washington, South Dakota, Arizona, Wisconsin, California, and Oklahoma.His writing and living philosophy: "Lighten up."