At Pen & Purpose, we believe everyone has a story worth telling—and that those stories deserve to be honored, nurtured, and shared with integrity. Founded and inspired by the creative legacy of author, playwright, poet, and Circle facilitator Yvonne Garcia Zaher, our studio is a space where purpose meets craft, and where storytelling becomes a form of healing, resistance, and transformation.
Our mission is simple yet profound: to support all writers—especially those often overlooked or undervalued by mainstream publishing—in bringing their voices to the page and out into the world. Whether you’re writing a memoir, poetry, fiction, or something in between, Pen & Purpose is here to help you find your rhythm, refine your work, and protect your dreams. Here we assist new authors in deciding which is best option for you in becoming a published author
We offer mentorship, workshops, editorial support, and guidance through the complex path of publishing—always with care, transparency, and respect for your voice and vision. And while we celebrate and promote the founder’s own creative works, our greater dream is to uplift a community of storytellers, each with a unique perspective, a distinct voice, and a truth worth sharing.
This is more than a writing studio. It’s a home for those called to write with intention, and a platform for stories that move, challenge, and inspire.
Welcome. Your words matter here.
Founder, Pen & Purpose Writing Studio
Yvonne Garcia Zaher is an author, playwright, poet, philosopher and devoted steward of stories rooted in resilience, transformation, and soul. Born in San Antonio, Texas and raised in Southern California, her life’s work has been deeply shaped by a lifelong engagement with philosophy, sociology, religion, and spiritual healing.
Her writing journey began during a profound personal transition—after becoming disabled and stepping away from her former business, Yvonne turned to writing not just as refuge, but as reclamation. What began as necessity soon blossomed into purpose. Since then, she has published the novel The Anubis Chronicles: The Council Book I, The Anubis Chronicles: Vengeance, Why Everyone Should Swim Naked: The Real Truth About Water, along with numerous short stories, four stage plays, all produced at Casa 0101 Theater in Boyle Heights and the Frida Kahlo Theater in Los Angeles.
Yvonne’s voice is both intimate and expansive—infused with the spirit of the barrio where she grew up, yet reaching toward universal truths that transcend place and time. From early childhood, she found sanctuary in the magic of books, particularly fantasy stories that offered escape from the violence and hardship around her. Today, she channels that same enchantment and hope into her own storytelling—crafting narratives that honor lived experience, celebrate cultural identity, and reveal the unseen strength in everyday lives.
Guided by her beloved mentor and friend, the late Laurel Airica, Yvonne became a dedicated facilitator of Writing Circles—sacred spaces where writers gather to explore voice, vision, and vulnerability. After Laurel’s passing, Yvonne continued this work with heart and purpose, eventually founding Pen & Purpose Writing Studio to expand her support for emerging and established writers alike.
Whether on the page or in the circle, Yvonne’s mission is clear: to help others tell their stories with power, protect their creative integrity, and navigate the publishing world with wisdom. For her, writing is not just an art—it is a sacred act of truth-telling, survival, and transformation.
Thank you for your interest in our company. Complete the form below to send us an email, or simply give us a call. We’re looking forward to working with you.