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1. What do you do when you aren't writing?
These days, when I am not writing, I am juggling quite a few plates. My wife and I are opening a coworking cafe in the Spring of 2024. I am still a full-time partner with Ernst & Young, a professional services firm where I lead alliances, acquisitions, and new solutions. I love spending some time with my grown kids, and I serve in my church. And, when I can find time, I love to play golf and follow the Dallas Cowboys.
2. Why did you decide to write a book?
The book had been inside me for almost two decades. About 5 years ago, I saw the political discourse in our country get to such heightened levels of acrimony that I decided Americans needed a fresh reminder as to why the freedoms we enjoy in the USA are unique and precious. I thought, perhaps, an immigrant's perspective would help. I also wanted to share my faith journey. So, I decided to kill two birds with one stone and wrote the book.
3. Let's talk about your book Beyond the Golden Door. It shares your journey as an immigrant to the US. Was it difficult to share your story?
Yes, in some ways it was very hard and in other ways, it was highly cathartic. It was hard to talk about certain dark episodes of my childhood and describe them in a PG-13 way. But I believe I struck the right balance. It was also risky to openly share about my faith transformation as well as document, for all to read, my many failures in the US as a young adult. On the flip side, it was very rewarding to recall and document the many twists and turns of my life that, ultimately, led to some success--whether that be in life, love, or business.
4. What do you want readers to learn from the book?
There are multiple messages I wanted to convey to the readers. I want them to appreciate America for what it is — an imperfect and wonderful experiment that still offers more to its inhabitants than any other nation. That the American Dream is still alive albeit more elusive. However, there are no guarantees and it's not a risk-free proposition. And that there are no accidents — perhaps as the reader sees my own faith transformation, they would consider their own relationship with their Creator and engage or reengage with Him.
5. What was your biggest misconception about Americans?
That they did not care as much about people, family, or faith. I was wrong.
6. What do you see as the biggest issue in America today?
To me, the biggest issue is our divisiveness and how quickly and effectively others have turned the various factions in America against each other. As it has been said elsewhere, a house divided against itself cannot stand. We need to find a way to stick together.
7. What was the hardest part of writing and publishing your book?
In a way, it's like a marathon, the entire experience is hard. But starting (training for it) and finishing come to mind. You have to put pen to paper and commit to writing a few chapters and a summary. Then submit many proposals and get rejected by publishers until you succeed with one. Then...you must finish. But, just like a finished marathon, when you get your first box of new-smelling books, it also brings great joy.
8. What's next for you?
I have recently released a short audio playlist called The 3 Keys to Success (at Work) They Did Not Teach You in College. It can be found on my website www.alimaster.com. It's my first work of fiction. I want to write next about business topics such as Intrapreneurship. I am also pondering doing a podcast in the future that highlights the immigrant experience and entrepreneurship.
I like to end with fun questions.
9. What book had the biggest impact on you and why?
That would be the Bible. It's transformative. But aside from that, I loved Khaled Husseini's The Kite Runner because its poignant style and the emotions it stirs was something I tried to also emulate in Beyond the Golden Door.
10. If you could have a lifetime supply of anything, what would it be?
Well, that depends. Am I stuck on an island? If not, then dark chocolate, please!
11. What's your favorite sound?
Anything coming out of the mouth of Sia.
12. What's your favorite food?
Pakistani barbeque with tandoori naan. It's delicious and reminds me of the days of my youth back home in Karachi.
this book is needed indeed
