This is a special interview with Jo Parfait, author of Sunshine Soup, nourishing the global soul, and international book coach and publisher of books by expats.
I’m currently in the process of writing my first ever book and I can tell you it’s a whole new world of discovery, adventure and a lot of work! I admire each and every single author who has conceived, written and actually published a book at any stage of their life.
As I’m writing I will be looking to you for feedback and becoming a part of my journey and I have lots planned to include you in the process. Part of writing a book is learning from those who have already done it and you can bet your bottom dollar I’m asking lots of questions in order to seek out the answers that will shape what I do and help me produce a best seller!
One of these people has been Jo Parfait who’s given generously of her advice and guidance when I mentioned it to her earlier in the year. She even wrote a guest post for me The First 10 Steps To Writing A Non-Fiction Book that I certainly found helpful and her free eBook on her site was an eye opener into all the steps you need to consider before you even start writing.
So in this exclusive interview Jo shares her story, her secrets, her expat lifestyle and her latest published book.
Natalie: You have lived abroad for over 20 years, Jo. How has your career evolved during this time?
Jo Parfait: As I have a suitcase career, one that I have to pack up and move on every few years thanks to my husband’s job, it has been vital that I find a way to sustain and grow my business on the move. My key has always been to do work that I love. In that way I stay motivated. I love to write but I also thrive on variety. So, while my core business has always been with words I have adapted to trends, lifestyle and locations along the way.I have, variously, written non-fiction, including a book called A Career in Your Suitcase, written articles, taught writing and sold books – 28 in total. I am also a publisher and Summertime Publishing is in its 14th year.
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Wow! 28 books, that is quite an achievement. What has inspired you to write so many?**
About nine years ago I took a workshop with Dane, Helen Eriksen, that taught me how to define my mission statement. I came up with ‘sharing what I know to help others to grow’. Since then I have used my mission statement as a filter through which I pass all my ‘brilliant’ ideas (of which I have many). When I look back I can see that everything I have written, from a cookbook called French Tarts to computer handbooks and books on portable careers, has always allowed me to share something that I believe others want to know. I guess I am driven to disseminate!
But a novel? Surely a novel does not really qualify as fitting in with your mission statement?
Well yes, it is a fit too! You see, my novel is about people who live abroad and while only a few of the incidents actually happened to me personally, many of the issues that are covered, such as loss of identity, the need to find fulfilment, culture shock and so on are all themes close to my heart. Sunshine Soup – nourishing the global soul
I lived there myself from 1987-1993 so some of the material comes from experience, I admit. I think that my story is actually a bit of a parable and that anyone wanting to find their feet and a satisfying career overseas will learn something in reading it. In fact, in the questions for reading groups at the back of the book, many of the issues are raised for further discussion. I really hope that readers will enjoy reading it on many levels.
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You are a publisher of books by and for expats and yet you also write books and articles of your own. Why do you do this? Surely you don’t have the time?**
I work with lots of new authors and I think it is important that I practise what I preach and that I recognize what they are going through. I have long had a dream of writing a novel and learning from the experience so that I can pass that on to my authors. Already I have discovered how very different the experience is from writing non-fiction. As for writing articles. I do that because I believe that doing so is one of the best ways of promoting a book while demonstrating my writing style. A kind of ‘try before you buy’ if you like.
Big thanks to Jo Parfitt – author of Sunshine Soup – nourishing the global soul
It is out now! Price £8.47 or US$13.98 and available on Amazon. Find out more at www.joparfitt.com
PS if you love the main photo attached to this blog of the beautiful light playing on the water and jetty, then thank Gregory Berg- Enso Photography.