The book was published in the United States, China, and the United Kingdom. She sent it out to various publishers, and it was accepted by HarperCollins. She was supported by family and teachers before she completed the novel in 2005. In Swordbird, Fan, who was disturbed by the events of September 11, 2001, writes of warring flocks of birds. Although she could speak no English at the time, within three years she was writing a book inspired by a dream. Nancy Yi Fan was born in mainland China and immigrated to the United States when she was seven years old.

Swordbird was adapted for audio (unabridged four CDs), read by Colleen Delaney, HarperChildren's Audio, 2007. Sword Quest (young adult novel prequel to Swordbird), HarperCollins Publishers ( New York, NY), 2008. Swordbird (young adult novel), illustrated by Mark Zug, HarperCollins ( New York, NY), 2007. Hobbies and other interests: Martial arts, birds. Ages 8-12.Born 1993, in China immigrated to United States, 2000 returned to China. Experienced readers will recognize the familiar allegory here, but the book will likely appeal to Redwall fans, and this young writer is worth watching. While feasting with a traveling troupe of winged thespians, for instance, the cardinals and blue jays drive away Turnatt's marauding forces by bombarding them with bean soup and raspberry pies. Blue jays and cardinals join forces to vanquish the despot, a mission that entails several diverting twists, including a search for the necessary elements to summon the Swordbird, the 'mystical white bird, the son of the Great Spirit.' The author occasionally relieves the tale's ample tension with snippets of humor. One of the slavebirds, a robin named Miltin, escapes to tell Aska, a brave young jay, about Turnatt's evil doings and his plan to enslave all the local woodbirds.

Though once friendly, these two benign flocks are now at war: Turnatt's soldiers have stolen eggs and food from each flock (the hawk eats a purloined egg daily, believing this will 'keep death away'), and have led each camp to believe the other is responsible for the thefts. Starring woodland bird characters, the saga pits the tyrannical hawk Turnatt, captor of 'slavebirds' whom he shackles and puts to work building his fortress, against the cardinals and blue jays. Yi Fan's tightly woven story delivers a manifest message promoting peace and freedom.

Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan