Meet Sari Karplus

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sari Karplus and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sari, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
When you’re a creative type, work-life balance is a perpetual tug-of-war. Once you add kids to the mix, the game changes… to an adorably challenging hug-of-war. You know, how the people who hug you most win your time, energy, and attention? But given all of life’s challenges, I’m here to tell you that some form of balance is, in fact, attainable.

I’ve been fortunate to find ways to carve out time to write four carefully crafted children’s books while raising three kids. But “fortunate” is just part of it. Momming three young kids in the pandemic in 2020 started to swallow me whole, and I had to make a conscious choice to change that. It started with an invitation to do The Artist’s Way that I was sure I didn’t have time to do. But I made time. Even with kids fighting in the background on the Zoom calls (my kids were 2, 5 and 7), and constant interruptions, I stuck with it. And giving myself that permission and freedom to find the time, paved the way for me to start writing books.

By mid-2020, my husband started taking my kids to my great aunt and uncle’s house on Saturdays for the day. I used those days to write. By the end of 2020, my first book was out! The moral of the story is, never let anything swallow you whole. You’ve gotta find your life raft. To my own surprise, I’ve been able to pick up film directing again as well, but with a twist.

My latest role as director was for a film that our kids and their friends created, wrote, and starred in called Bluewater Fairies. If the same project hadn’t involved my family, I might not have been able to pull it off. My husband ran camera, and we made it a family project. Sometimes work-life isn’t just a balance, but a straight-up blend of the two. I’m proud to say that we got an unexpected run playing film festivals and even won multiple awards for our little fairy movie. Sometimes, if you let the universe help you work out this balance, you may just discover a new version of your old self.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an author, director, and comic. I keep wanting to say “former comic,” but the stage keeps drawing me back. And who am I to argue with an inanimate object?!

My current main focus, though, is writing children’s books. I have four published picture books that I am super proud of. And while the writing part is incredibly rewarding, the publishing and marketing are beasts!

For anyone going down the path of publishing their writing, I highly recommend patience and seeking help for key roles. Layout, editing, file prep, and, in some cases, the publishing itself may need to be outsourced. But if you’re shy on funds and scrappy, you can absolutely figure it out on your own.

My brand is books for bright kids. I wrote the Robotastic! series about friendship and robots. They are STEM books that have little hidden lessons and a healthy side of humor. And my newest book, Squirrels in Antarctica, is a silly romp imagining animals in unusual places.

While writing books is my main endeavor, storytelling takes many forms, and filmmaking will always be something I’m incredibly passionate about as well. When the opportunity strikes, I jump at the chance to direct a filmed project—preferably comedy. And as my kids get bigger, that feels more and more possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
First thing we’re gonna do is hit up Largo at the Coronet to see some quality comedy. Just about any night you land there, it’s gonna be something hilarious or memorable. During the day, we’ll head over to Leo Carrillo Beach in Malibu. We’ll line up our visit with low tide to experience the tide pools. We’ll explore the little caves, find the enclave of mussels, and taunt them by catcalling, “Hey Muscles!” 💪🏻

In between these adventures, we’d eat at Shojin—the most amazing vegan Japanese food in Culver City. They’re so confident in their food that their sign out front is barely visible, which is totally warranted! If there’s time, we’ll go to the Farmers Market at Beverly and Fairfax for crepes. We’ll hit up the Getty Center for the views and a walk through the garden, or as my son called it when he was little, the Spaghetti Center.

Can we also get a hookup to go to the Magic Castle, too? Asking for a me. I haven’t been there for years because you need an invite to go, but it’s a really special place to dress up and get your fix of prestidigitation. Because who doesn’t need more prestidigitation in their life? There’s a ghost who plays the piano, and they are quite talented.

And of course, I’m not going to let you leave without a glimpse of the Hollywood sign. My favorite go-to viewing spot is atop the steps in Culver City. On a clear day, from the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook, you get such amazing views. But don’t worry, I’m not going to make you hike the steps. We’ll drive up. It’s LA, after all—nobody walks in LA. 🎵

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I could shout out people for days! You’re gonna play me off with music. My mom first— she never pushed me to live a traditional life. She was also the one who insisted I take a story I came up with and turn it into my first book, Robotastic! My husband, Lindsey, and my great aunt and uncle, Helena and Larry, who always cheer me on and take the kids, so I can write. My dad, for letting me bounce ideas off of him. My best friend, Jenny, for *all the things.* My writing teacher and friend, Pilar Alessandra, for believing in my writing (highly recommend her books, classes, and script consulting!). Aadip Desai, my brother from another mother, who reads pretty much everything I write before it goes out. And Toby Chi—one of the most creative and talented people I met when I moved to LA. He encouraged me to direct my first movie back in 2006-ish, and with his support and co-producing, I got to do just that.

Uh oh, I hear the music playing… So, my last shoutout is to all the other folks who helped me get to where I am now. I’m so lucky to have gotten to do stand-up and improv with the best, make fun films with great people, write and share books, and be as creatively fulfilled as the hungry caterpillar is full.

Website: https://www.sariweb.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karpluss/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sari-karplus-b344314/

Twitter: https://x.com/SariKarplus

Other: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sari-Karplus/author/B08P966K2J