Interview With Business Book Author Dr. Mosongo Moukwa

 

 

1.   What inspired you to write this book? After more than 30 years in business, I've met many entrepreneurs who appear successful but are exhausted. They have customers, growing revenue, and employees, yet little time to enjoy what they've built. They started their businesses seeking freedom but became trapped by them. I wrote Beyond Survival to show that business success shouldn't come at the expense of living a fulfilling life.

 

2.   What exactly is it about and who is it written for? Beyond Survival: Creating a Business That Loves You Back helps entrepreneurs build profitable businesses that provide freedom, purpose, and fulfillment. It's written for business owners who work hard but aren't enjoying the rewards they expected. The book shows them how to uncover hidden opportunities, make better decisions, and build businesses that support their lives rather than consume them.

 

3.   What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book? I hope readers realize they don't have to sacrifice their lives to build successful businesses. I want them to discover overlooked opportunities, make better decisions, and regain control of their time and future. Above all, I want them to redefine success: not just by how much money they make, but by the freedom, purpose, and fulfillment their business creates.

 

4.   How did you decide on your book’s title and cover design? I chose Beyond Survival because too many entrepreneurs are simply surviving rather than enjoying the businesses they've built. The subtitle, Creating a Business That Loves You Back, reflects the transformation I want for them. The butterfly emerging from its cocoon symbolizes renewal, transformation, and freedom, representing the journey from struggle to a more fulfilling life.

 

5.   What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? My advice is to write with purpose and authenticity. Don't worry about making every sentence perfect at first. Focus on the message you want to share and the difference it could make in someone's life. Writing requires discipline, patience, and perseverance. Above all, remember that your story and experiences may be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

 

6.   What trends in the book world do you see -- and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?  I see three major trends: the continued growth of self-publishing, the increasing use of AI in writing and publishing, and readers seeking authentic stories with practical value. I believe publishing will become more accessible, but also more competitive. The authors who stand out will be those who bring original perspectives, genuine experiences, and meaningful value to their readers

 

7.   Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?  Absolutely. This is my second book, and I've been reflecting on its central message for many years. My more than 30 years of business leadership, that include my own entrepreneurial experiences and work with business owners, provided valuable insights. I've witnessed both the rewards and challenges of entrepreneurship. The book brings together those experiences and lessons I've learned about profitability, freedom, purpose, and fulfillment.

 

8.   How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to? I would describe my writing as reflective, conversational, and practical. In both books, I draw on personal experiences, leadership lessons, and real-world stories to challenge conventional thinking. My approach shares similarities with Simon Sinek’s emphasis on purpose and Stephen Covey’s focus on principles and personal effectiveness. I want readers not just to think differently, but to live and lead differently.

 

9.      What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?  One challenge was turning years of experiences, observations, and reflections into a meaningful message. I wanted to balance practical business advice with the human side of entrepreneurship. Another challenge was deciding what to leave out. My goal was to write a book that would not simply inform readers but inspire them to make meaningful changes in their lives.

 

10.  If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours? Because Beyond Survival addresses a question many entrepreneurs quietly struggle with: Is building a successful business worth it if you have no time to enjoy your life? This book offers practical strategies to increase profitability, regain freedom, and rediscover purpose. If you're working harder than ever but enjoying life less, this book could change how you think about success.

Author Bio: Dr. Mosongo Moukwa is a business profit strategist and executive coach who helps established business owners uncover hidden profit opportunities, make better strategic decisions, and build more profitable, less owner-dependent businesses that create freedom and fulfillment. A former global corporate executive with over 30 years of leadership and entrepreneurial experience, he brings a unique perspective to business growth and success. His insights have been featured in Forbes, USA Today, Entrepreneur Magazine, International Business Times, and The Chicago Tribune. A bestselling author and international speaker, he is the author of Be a Leader of Significance and Beyond Survival: Creating a Business That Loves You Back. Website: https://www.mosongomoukwa.com

                                                                                                                           

Need Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator! 

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 11 million page views. With over 5,700+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

 

The Worst-Case Scenario For Authors?

 

I recently came across the popular book, The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations, in the bookstore. I started to wonder:  What are the worst-case scenarios for authors?

 

The book covers dire life or death situations — forest fires, tsunamis, hurricanes, pandemics, and doomsday moments — and it outlines what to do to if you ever find yourself in such a situation. Well, authors have their own what-can-go-wrong scenarios that need solutions — as well as preventive hacks.

 

Ok, so authors may never need to know what they will learn in The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook, such as:

 

·         How to Break Down a Door

·         How to Land a Plane

·         How to Escape from a Sinking Car

·         How to Survive Being Buried Alive

·         How to Survive a Snake Attack

·         How to Fend Off a Shark

·         How to Escape from Killer Bees

·         How to Wrestle Free from an Alligator

·         How to Survive a Drone Attack

 

But you will need to know:

 

·         How not to get suckered into answering a scam email

·         How not to miss your window of time to market your book

·         How to promote your brand successfully

·         How to generate more book sales

·         How to make sure you have a useful website

·         How to avoid the pitfalls of hiring the wrong marketer

·         How to overcome rejection from the news media

·         How to seek out speaking engagements

·         How to effectively utilize social media to get results and not headaches

·         How to develop an elevator pitch that draws people in

·         How to get published successfully

·         How to handle or avoid problems with amazon, your web master, a publisher, or your publicist

 

Ok, ok, so such a book of worst-case scenarios for authors does not yet exist, but luckily the information and strategies do — and yours truly can supply them to you — if you hire me! Lol.

 

 

Need Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator! 

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 11 million page views. With over 5,700+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum

 

Interview With Poet Matt Buonocore

 

1. What inspired you to write this book?

I've always been fascinated by the ways we separate ourselves from one another. We divide ourselves through our beliefs, experiences, identities, and the stories we tell about who we are. Yet beneath those differences, I think there's something profoundly universal about being human.

 

Our Love Is the Cure grew out of my own experiences with suffering, healing, and learning to see myself and others with greater compassion.

 

I began writing poetry at twenty-three, during a period of significant personal and spiritual transformation. Over time, I came to recognize that love wasn't simply a feeling or something reserved for particular relationships. It could be an entirely different way of experiencing life.

This collection is an exploration of that possibility.

 

2. What exactly is it about and who is it written for?

Our Love Is the Cure is a collection of 175 poems exploring love, compassion, healing, spiritual awareness, and our shared humanity.

 

At its heart, the book is about moving beyond the illusion that we're fundamentally separate from one another.

 

It's written for anyone who has struggled, questioned their place in the world, experienced loss, or wondered whether there's something more to life than the roles and identities we inhabit.

 

I don't think readers need to share my spiritual perspective to find something meaningful in the poems. Love, fear, loneliness, hope, and the desire for connection are experiences that belong to all of us.

 

3. What do you hope readers will get out of reading your book?

More than anything, I hope they come away with a greater sense of compassion, both for themselves and for the people around them.

 

We can be incredibly hard on ourselves. We carry our mistakes, revisit our suffering, and sometimes forget that we're deserving of the same kindness we extend to others.

I'd love for someone to read a poem and recognize something about themselves that they hadn't previously been able to put into words.

 

I don't expect a book of poetry to solve someone's problems. But if a few lines can help a person feel understood, less alone, or more open to love, that's meaningful to me.

 

4. How did you decide on your book's title and cover design?

The title came from the central idea behind the collection: that love has the capacity to transform the way we relate to ourselves, one another, and the world.

 

I wanted something simple and direct. Our Love Is the Cure isn't intended to suggest that love magically eliminates every difficulty in life. Rather, it's an invitation to consider how compassion and connection might change the way we experience those difficulties.

 

The visual direction of the cover reflects that same philosophy. I wanted the imagery to communicate connection, shared humanity, and the dissolution of separation rather than rely exclusively on familiar spiritual symbols.

 

For me, the title and artwork should feel like two expressions of the same message.

 

5. What advice or words of wisdom do you have for fellow writers – other than run!? Well, running isn't terrible advice either!

 

I'd encourage writers to stop worrying so much about whether their work resembles what they think successful writing is supposed to look like.

 

There's an enormous amount of pressure to find the right audience, follow the right formula, and present ourselves in a particular way.

 

But the most meaningful thing we bring to our writing is our own perspective.

Write what matters to you. Be open to criticism. Keep learning. And remember that publication and recognition are only parts of the experience, not the entirety of it.

 

The act of creating something meaningful has value long before anyone else discovers it.

 

6. What trends in the book world do you see — and where do you think the book publishing industry is heading?

I think we're entering an interesting period in which publishing is becoming increasingly accessible while discoverability is becoming increasingly difficult.

 

Independent authors have opportunities that would have been nearly unimaginable a few decades ago. We can publish our work, reach readers around the world, and maintain creative control over our books.

 

But having the ability to publish doesn't necessarily mean having the ability to be discovered.

I also think artificial intelligence will continue to change the industry, particularly in how books are produced, marketed, and discovered. That raises important questions about creativity, authenticity, and what readers value.

 

My hope is that the industry continues to make room for individual voices rather than becoming entirely driven by algorithms and commercial expectations.

I think readers will always want to encounter something that feels genuinely human.

 

7. Were there experiences in your personal life or career that came in handy when writing this book?

Absolutely. I don't think I could separate my poetry from the experiences that shaped me.

I've worked in bookstores, spent years interacting with people from different walks of life, and experienced my own periods of suffering and transformation.

 

I also work as a caregiver for my grandmother, which has deepened my appreciation for patience, presence, and the importance of ordinary moments.

 

 

Caregiving reminds me that love isn't always something dramatic or extraordinary.

 

Sometimes it's simply being there for another person, listening, or helping them through a difficult moment.

 

Those experiences continually influence the way I understand compassion, and compassion is central to this book.

 

8. How would you describe your writing style? Which writers or books is your writing similar to?

I'd describe my writing as contemplative, accessible, and emotionally direct.

 

I don't generally approach poetry with the intention of creating something technically elaborate. I'm much more interested in whether a poem communicates something meaningful.

 

My work often explores spiritual questions, personal transformation, and the relationship between our inner lives and the world around us.

 

Ram Dass, Alan Watts, and Paul Selig have been important influences on my thinking, although I wouldn't necessarily describe my writing as stylistically similar to theirs. I'm drawn to the accessibility and spiritual intimacy of contemplative literature, and I hope my poetry offers readers that same sense of invitation rather than instruction.

 

9. What challenges did you overcome in the writing of this book?

One of the greatest challenges was learning to trust my own voice.

 

When I first began writing, I didn't have a formal background in poetry, and I wasn't particularly interested in following a conventional literary path.

 

I was writing because I felt compelled to express something.

 

Over time, I had to learn the difference between improving my work and changing it simply because I thought it needed to sound more like someone else's.

 

Another challenge was finding ways to write about universal ideas without losing the personal experiences that gave those ideas meaning.

 

Love, healing, and connection are enormous subjects. The challenge is finding the small, recognizable human moments through which those ideas become real.

 

10. If people can buy or read one book this week or month, why should it be yours?

Because I believe there's something in this collection that nearly everyone can recognize within themselves.

 

Our Love Is the Cure isn't asking readers to adopt a particular philosophy or believe exactly what I believe.

 

It's an invitation to explore the possibility that beneath our differences, fears, and personal histories, we have far more in common than we sometimes realize.

 

And because I've made the ebook freely available, readers can explore the collection without a financial barrier.

 

If even one poem helps someone approach themselves or another person with a little more understanding, then I think the time spent reading it will have been worthwhile.

 

Author Biography: Matt Buonocore is an independent poet and author whose work explores love, healing, self-discovery, and spiritual awakening. He began writing poetry at twenty-three, discovering an unexpected passion for expressing the human experience through verse. Influenced by contemplative philosophy and his own journey of personal transformation, Matt writes about the ways suffering, compassion, and awareness can change our relationship with ourselves and the world. His books include Our Love Is the Cure, My Heart as the Map, The Magic of the Moment, and numerous other collections. Through his writing, he hopes to encourage readers to recognize the beauty and possibility within their everyday lives. He can be found on Instagram — @modern_sooth.

 

Need Marketing Help?

Brian Feinblum can be reached at brianfeinblum@gmail.com  He is available to help authors like you to promote your story, sell your book, and grow your brand. He has over 30 years of experience in successfully helping thousands of authors in all genres. Let him be your advocate, teacher, and motivator! 

 

About Brian Feinblum

This award-winning blog has generated over 11 million page views. With over 5,700+ posts over the past 15 years, it was named one of the best book marketing blogs by BookBaby http://blog.bookbaby.com/2013/09/the-best-book-marketing-blogs  and recognized by Feedspot in 2026, 2021 and 2018 as one of the top book marketing blogs. It was also named by www.WinningWriters.com as a "best resource.”  Copyright 2026.

 

For the past three decades, Brian Feinblum has helped thousands of authors. He formed his own book publicity firm in 2020. Prior to that, for 21 years as the head of marketing for the nation’s largest book publicity firm, and as the director of publicity at two independent presses, Brian has worked with many first-time, self-published, authors of all genres, right along with best-selling authors and celebrities such as: Dr. Ruth, Mark Victor Hansen, Joseph Finder, Katherine Spurway, Neil Rackham, Harvey Mackay, Ken Blanchard, Stephen Covey, Warren Adler, Cindy Adams, Todd Duncan, Susan RoAne, John C. Maxwell, Jeff Foxworthy, Seth Godin, and Henry Winkler.

 

His writings are often featured in The Writer and IBPA’s The Independent (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/whats-needed-to-promote-a-book-successfully) and (https://pubspot.ibpa-online.org/article/10-things-my-dog-taught-me-about-marketing-books). He was recently interviewed by the IBPA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F0BhO9m8jbs

 

He hosted a panel on book publicity for Book Expo America several years ago, and has spoken at ASJA, three times at BookCAMP, Independent Book Publishers Association, Sarah Lawrence College, Nonfiction Writers Association, Cape Cod Writers Association, Willamette (Portland) Writers Association, APEX, five times at Morgan James Publishing Red Carpet, and Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association. He served as a judge for the 2024 IBPA Book Awards.

 

His letters-to-the-editor have been published in The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Post, NY Daily News, Newsday, The Journal News (Westchester) and The Washington Post. His first published book was The Florida Homeowner, Condo, & Co-Op Association Handbook.  It was featured in The Sun Sentinel and Miami Herald.

 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, he now resides in Westchester with his wife, two kids, and Ferris, a black lab rescue dog, and El Chapo, a pug rescue dog.

 

You can connect with him at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfeinblum/ or https://www.facebook.com/brian.feinblum