Interview with Nazneen Akbari

We are so excited to interview debut picture book author, Nazneen Akbari. Read our Q&A with her about her book, Home Away from Home, below. 

KLiC: What inspired Home Away from Home?

Nazneen Akbari: It was one of those ordinary afternoons that unexpectedly changed everything. I was nursing my baby while reading a book to my three-year-old when he asked, “Mama, are there any books about Oman?” That question made me pause.

I realized there were very few books in mainstream American children’s literature that represented Middle Eastern children or told joyous stories from the region. That’s how it began. I was also in the middle of the pandemic, raising children and wondering how I might reshape my career in a way that allowed me to be present for them. Writing this story felt like something calling me.

KLiC: Please tell us about your writing process. How long did it take to write and sell this book?

NA: My daughter was six months old when I began writing, and she was six years old when the book finally came out into the world!

I come from a journalism background, so writing wasn’t new to me, but picture books are an entirely different craft. The early versions of this story looked nothing like the book you see today. I revised it over and over again at one point I counted and realized I had 80 drafts saved on my laptop.

It also took three years to sell the manuscript. There were several rounds of revisions with editors before it was acquired. And after that came another wait while the publisher searched for the right illustrator. But when the artwork came in, I knew immediately, it was worth that wait.

KLiC: What kind of research did you do for the book?

NA: In many ways, this book came more from memory than research. As a child, I visited the Omani market many times a year. It was always a magical place -- the colors, the sounds, the smells of spices and frankincense, the chatter of people. So while writing the story, I simply returned to those childhood memories and the sense of wonder I felt walking through the market as a little girl.

KLiC: What are your favorite illustrations in the book?

NA: If I absolutely had to pick one spread, it would be the moment when Nuha first arrives in Oman. There are so many details in that scene -- the women in traditional dress, the men, the colors of the mountains, the expressions of the people. And then there’s Nuha’s face, which says everything without a single word. It captures that moment of wonder and uncertainty all at once.
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KLiC: What’s the one thing you hope children take away from this book?

NA: I hope children realize that their culture and their family roots are something to be proud of. Those roots make them unique. They’re not something to hide or tuck away; they’re something to wear proudly, like a crown.

KLiC: Do you have any advice for pre-published authors?

NA: Most will tell you to keep reading and keep writing and that advice is absolutely true. But here’s something important: take breaks.

Writing for children is a beautiful journey, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of constant comparison and endless productivity, always feeling like you should be writing, marketing, or doing the next thing. That leads to burnout.

At one point I pushed myself so hard that it began affecting my health. I eventually stepped away from writing. During that time, I focused on rest, family, yoga and spending time with friends.

When I returned to writing, I came back healthier, clearer, and joyful. So protect your joy and your well-being. 

KLiC: What’s next for you? 

NA: My agent is currently out in the world with a few more of my manuscripts, so fingers crossed! I’m hopeful some of those stories soon find their home too.

Nazneen Akbari is an Indian American, who grew up in Oman, and has lived all over the world thanks to school, work, and a healthy dose of wanderlust. She’s no stranger to the question, “Where are you from?” a puzzle she answers with her parent's Indian roots and her deep love for the Omani culture she grew up in. Though she’s lived in many countries, Oman remains close to her heart and is a place she will always call home. By day, she works for the U.S. Department of State. By night, she’s dreaming up picture books and enjoying life in Pennsylvania with her husband and three kids.

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