A personal introduction
This photo of me (right) and my sister (left) is a lie. First, she was the avid reader when we were kids but it appears that I am the one buried in a book. Second, that isn’t a book I’m reading; it’s a brochure!
Hello! I’m a proud Californian, Los Angeles native (go Dodgers!), and a second-generation Korean American. I’ve always been drawn to writing stories, but it wasn’t until my son turned one in 2019 when I began drafting my first full-length manuscript, an upmarket-commercial women’s fiction book described as a comedy of manners full of heart and pointed satire of the beauty industry. This book is represented by literary agent Eleanor Jackson of Dunow, Carlson & Lerner Literary Agency and was selected as a Top 10 Finalist for Reese Witherspoon’s LitUp Fellowship in 2022.
My stories are written through the lens of an Asian immigrant’s daughter with developmental trauma, covering recurring themes such as mental health, perfectionism, beauty standards, the experiences of immigrant children, and the struggle of finding your authenticity in a world designed as a capitalist rat race. If you’re interested in reading my books, please make your way to the yellow bar up top and drop your email in OR click here–you’ll be the first to know when they’re released.
In the meantime, you can follow me on IG (here!), where I also post book memes and book-related thoughts in an attempt to connect with all the fiction fanatics of the world regardless of how reclusive I am at times (introverts, unite!).
In 2012, I founded a boutique editorial agency for beauty brands and contributed reported pieces for women’s magazines. My first novel is informed and inspired by my intimate experience within the beauty industry as well as multigenerational familial relationships. Prior to having my own business, I worked as a grant writer for a Philadelphia nonprofit serving disadvantaged microentrepreneurs, as a managing editor for various digital publications and e-commerce platforms, and as a senior newswire editor.
Facts and Opinions
I’m learning to shuffle (it’s a dance style popular at raves).
I hardly ever feel more alive and in touch with my community than when I’m attending a protest, holding up an angry sign and chanting.
Live music is medicine for the soul (as is a good musical and stand-up comedy set).
I’m the most introverted introvert you’ll ever meet.
I love Christmas cheese, as in over-the-top Christmas decorations, hunting down carolers and smiling at them until they’re done, and watching predictable Hallmark movies. One time, I purchased a fake Christmas tree, built it, fluffed it, and decorated it only to decide afterwards that I wasn’t satisfied with it, removed the ornaments and ribbons, packed it back up, returned it, then bought another one only for the exact same thing to happen again. Twice. (Online shopping is not my forte.)
In 2023, I was sucked in by true-crime documentaries so hard that I watched all of the ones on Netflix, HBO, Prime, Peacock, Hulu and Paramount combined and did not read a single book for the entire year. #criminal
If you have the resources, you must go on an African safari at least once in your life. Witnessing a herd of elephants in the wild will make your heart skip a beat and take your breath away. Also, I cried during the beginning of Lion King: The Musical on Broadway.
Speaking of which, I wholeheartedly believe that if you have any sort of problem in life, watching The Lion King will give you the solution you need.
Therapy is life. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is life-changing.
We should all strive for radical authenticity and more PLAY.
I have conducted so much deep research on children’s emotional development, human psychology, and mouth breathing (yes, you read that right) that I can probably get a PhD in all three subjects.
My favorite podcast is Hidden Brain hosted by Shankar Vedantam. I’m also a sucker for any self-improvement/wellness podcast that features people like Gabor Mate and Michael Singer.
My son is the best human on earth.
The Serious Bio
Sarah is the founder of Sarah Ban & Co., an editorial agency for beauty brands. She’s been sought after and hired by a range of brands, including celebrity brands (Charlotte Tilbury, Kevyn Aucoin); social-media favorites (LUSH Cosmetics, Dr. Pimple Popper); skincare innovators (Beauty BioScience (GloPRO), COVER/FX, Epionce Skincare, Image Skincare); high-growth start-ups (Vegamour, Four Sigmatic); K-beauty powerhouses (Caolion, JJ Young); and cult-classic darlings (Odacité Skincare, C.O. Bigelow).
A newswire industry veteran, Sarah has reported for national publications such as SELF, NYLON, ELLE, Alive Magazine, and delicious living as well as high-trafficked websites such as The Kitchn and Organic Authority.
