Jo Parfitt talks to Monica Neboli about Drinking Camel's Milk in the Yurt

I first met Monica Neboli at the WIN conference in Rome in 2011, when she told me about her idea for a book. Monica had been living in Kazakhstan with her family and believed that the country she had called home was a great place to live, but that many people imagined a cold, barren, impenetrable landscape with people it was hard to get to know. By asking expats who had lived there to share their stories, Monica recognised that she could give the country the reputation it deserved. In her anthology, Drinking Camel’s Milk in the Yurt, you will be delighted to learn of the beauty, the summers, the culture and the warmth of its people. The book was published in July this year and is available in print and kindle format.

JP: Tell us about Drinking Camel’s Milk in the Yurt. What is it about? Can you describe it in just a few sentences?
MN: It’s an anthology of stories written by expats who have lived or are still living in Kazakhstan. It’s a way to get to know this interesting country, to understand its essence, through their eyes: 24 authors from 11 countries.

JP: Why did you write it?
MN: I have lived in Kazakhstan for several years. I was so fascinated by the country that I decided to create a collection of stories by expats on it.

JP: Why do you think your book needed to be written?
MN: This is the book I wanted to read before leaving for Kazakhstan (unfortunately it hadn’t been written yet). I hope it will help new expats arriving in the country. Having the right information on a place mean you spend less time adapting and helps to maximize the enrichment that comes from knowing that place more deeply.

JP: Who do you think will read your book? Or who would you like to read your book?
MN: Everyone is interested to know something more about this country.

JP: What steps have you taken or do you plan to take to promote your book? (For example: Are you a speaker or trainer? Do you have a blog? A website? A newsletter? Do you use Facebook, Twitter or other social media tools? What about press releases and sending out review copies and free articles? Have you had any other ideas?) Which methods do you think work best and can you give me any examples?
MN: I plan to have a book launch, create my own website, and reach out to my contacts in expat communities. I also hope to use social networks like Facebook.

JP: How did you choose your publisher and publishing method? Why did you decide to go down this route?
MN: It was a natural consequence: during a conference I shared my idea with a special woman who happened to be a publisher.

JP: What was your biggest challenge regarding the writing of your book? How have you overcome that?
MN: Maintaining the commitment to work on the realization of the book despite the commitments of mom, wife and work.

JP: Now you have written this book, what has writing it done for you, your family, your self-esteem or your business?
MN: For me it means closing a phase in my life, and celebrating in the best way possible my experience in Kazakhstan.

JP: If you were to give advice to someone else who is thinking about putting together an anthology, what would be your number one tip?
MN: Do it! It is not easy, but if you let yourself be inspired by the enthusiasm of your fellow adventurers you can achieve something to be proud of.
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You can find out more about the book at KZEXPATSTORIES