From the C-Suite to the Sewer

Editor’s note: This article is part of Navigating Change, a Next Avenue initiative made possible by the Richard M. Schulze Family Foundation and EIX, the Entrepreneur Innovation Exchange.

Five years ago, Darryl Kluskowski, then 56, was chief creative officer in a Manhattan advertising agency. After nearly three decades making commercials for some of America's most memorable brands, he had reached the top. Yet he was increasingly aware that what he was doing was at odds with what he truly enjoyed.

"I wanted to do things that would make a positive difference in the world and, more important, help children," he says. "The idea to write kids' books had been on my mind for years, but I never had enough time."

A few years later, circumstances changed when the company he worked for was bought by a venture capital firm. "I could see the handwriting on the wall," Kluskowski explains, "so it wasn't a surprise when the decision was made to part ways."

Finding his next role in advertising proved to be a challenge. "One recruiter told me there were 2,300 applicants for the same position," he says. "I knew this wouldn't be easy, but I wasn't about to give up."

While reaching out to his network, applying for jobs and doing some consulting work, Kluskowski continued reading the news and industry journals.

"I kept seeing research showing that kids' reading skills had dropped, especially during the pandemic, and that many kids didn't enjoy reading at all," he says. "That's when I decided to take a stab at writing some funny stories to help kids develop a love of reading."

Kluskowski says he was always fascinated by dark caves, tunnels and what goes on under the ground, and he had been kicking around some characters in his head and in his sketchbooks.

"I put it all together and came up with a series called 'The F.L.U.S.H. Files,' " he says. "It's about the comic misadventures of best friends-turned-superheroes who work for F.L.U.S.H., a top-secret agency sworn to protect the world from the evil legions of D.R.A.I.N. in the sewers below Standard City."

Tiny Giants Publishing issued the first book in the series, "Pass the Gas," in the spring of 2024; two more books in the series are in the works.

Writing whimsical stories for 7- to 11-year-olds may seem a far cry from running an ad agency. However, Kluskowski is no stranger to children's entertainment. In the early 2000s, in addition to his advertising career, he created the hit animated TV series "Four Eyes!" that appeared on Nickelodeon and Disney in over 70 countries.

"Oddly, I didn't start out wanting to be in advertising," Kluskowski recalls. "I went to cartooning and animation school, but the animation market had taken a bad turn at that time. Advertising was a better option. Through the years, I never stopped sketching characters and coming up with funny stories."

Writing and illustrating "The F.L.U.S.H. Files" was only the beginning. Getting it published was more complicated. The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), a professional organization that helps people get their books out into the world, provided useful tools such as webinars and industry connections.

"I didn't do it all by myself," Kluskowski says. "There were beta readers, editors, proofreaders — a lot of people helped mold the book into a high quality product and made it better than it was in its first and second and third drafts."

Through the SCBWI, he learned all about book publishing, distribution and marketing. "You have to be your own advocate. Nobody will promote your book as well as you will," he adds.

Fortunately, he enjoys every aspect, from writing the stories and drawing the pictures to reading his book to children in schools, libraries and book stores.

The Midwest Book Review called the first book "a hilarious masterpiece." The Prairies Book Review said the "expressive and quirky illustrations in The F.L.U.S.H. Files perfectly capture the playful humor of the story."

Kluskowski is thrilled with the accolades his book has received. Early reviews are positive, and the book recently earned top honors in the Children's Action category from Readers' Favorite, one of the largest book review sites. But what excites him even more is helping kids develop an interest in reading.

"When parents tell me their kids or grandkids have read the book and love it, I feel like I'm making a difference," he says. "My hope is that those kids will want to read more books, other books, different books. Or maybe even write their own books. It's very rewarding."

Was it scary to go from what he knew so well to something different? "Of course it was," Kluskowski acknowleges. "But I think it's even scarier to never pursue your dream."

Yet, achieving your dream can also be scary — though in a different way. "Sitting at a bookstore or library waiting to read my book to a group of kids is absolutely terrifying," he says. "Kids can be harsh critics."

Even so, being there with the audience barely three feet away is extraordinary.

"When I open the book and all eyes are on me and I read something funny and the kids laugh — it's a jolt of electricity," Kluskowski says. "I know I'm doing the right thing."

He's still hopeful to find fulltime work in advertising, but he is pragmatic. "I always knew I was fortunate to reach my age and still be in the industry," says Kluskowski, now aged 61. "I'm grateful for the career I've had, and I'm excited for what's to come."

For others faced with changing careers later in life, Kluskowski offers this advice: "Starting over is like being a child again. Try to approach it with a sense of wonder and discovery. Every day is a brand new opportunity.

"I always remember the final 'Calvin and Hobbes' comic strip that Watterson did back in 1995. In it, Calvin says, 'It's a magical world. Let's go exploring!' That's exactly how I feel."

J. L. Novak is a freelance writer specializing in health, lifestyle, and travel. She has written for AARP's The Ethel, Creativity and Marketing News, and her work has been recognized by Adweek, New York Festivals and Good Morning America. Read More