Teaching elementary level children was Yolanda Fintor's first career. But taking a writing class steered her off that path with a gut feeling that told her it was time for a change. Yolanda joined the California Writers Club in San Fernando in 1986 as a wanna-be writer.  In the ensuing years she has served as Guest Greeter,  Membership Chair, Secretary and Program Chair.  

 

Her first published article appeared in a Canadian family magazine in 1989. That same year she received the San Fernando Valley's Jack London Award for meritorious service.

 

Taking creative writing classes, joining critique groups, and listening to inspiring CWC guest speakers all have helped to propel her into the world of free lance writing, with her work published in the AAA Westways magazine,  and other travel publications. The Daily News and the Los Angeles Times have also published her articles.

 

In 1990, her love of soup compelled her to begin working with a fellow CWC member on a soup cookbook and after three years of hard work, SOUPER SKINNY SOUPS was published by Pelican Publishing Company.  Yolanda and her coauthor learned so much about the whole process of getting published, then promoting, they conducted workshops on how to find a publisher, write a query letter and a proposal and how to market your book.

 

Ten years later Yolanda found a publisher for her next book, HUNGARIAN COOKBOOK, OLD WORLD RECIPES FOR NEW WORLD COOKS.  The book is now enjoying a rebirth in paperback form.  Yolanda says she will never stop writing.  "Once this art form gets into the blood it takes hold and never lets go."

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