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News from author Peter Lyle DeHaan, PhD

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Press Release: Peter DeHaan to Speak at Grand Rapids WordCamp

Blogger Peter DeHaan to Share 12 Tips For Better WordPress Content Creation

Aug. 12, 2014 – Peter DeHaan will speak at this weekend’s WordCamp in Grand Rapids Michigan. WordCamps are informal, community-organized events, put on by WordPress users for WordPress users, including everyone from casual hobbyists to core developers.

Peter will share with attendees: “12 Tips For Better WordPress Content Creation.” Grand Rapids WordCamp is Friday and Saturday, August 15 and 16, with Sunday, August 17 designated as Contributor Day. It will take place in the DeVos Center on Grand Valley State University’s Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids, with tracks geared towards users, developers, content producers, and businesses.

“I attended Grand Rapids WordCamp last year,” said author Peter DeHaan. “It was a great experience, and I learned so much. This year, I’m excited to return as a speaker, allowing me to give back to the WordPress community.” Peter will address attendees at 3 p.m. on Saturday, August 16.

Peter DeHaan has been a magazine publisher and editor for the past fifteen years, a blogger for the past seven, and a published writer for much longer. The combination of Peter’s editing, blogging, and writing skills, makes him an ideal person to cover this topic. “I have multiple blogs and have written over 1,500 posts,” added Peter. “I’m happy to share what I’ve learned over the years with other WordPress users.

Grand Rapids WordCamp is an annual event put on by area WordPress enthusiasts and entrepreneurs, with each year being bigger and better than the year before. For 2014, the event expands to three days, with presentations on the first two days, while the third day is a time for attendees to contribute to the greater WordPress community. The cost to attend is an affordable $20. To learn about WordCamps in other areas around the world, go to http://wordcamp.org.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: The Successful Author: Discover the Art of Writing and Business of Publishing. Get your copy today.

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Peter DeHaan Addresses Breathe Conference

Author Peter DeHaan spoke at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference on October 12, in Dutton Michigan. This year’s conference enjoyed a record attendance and attendees flocked to Peter DeHaan’s workshop, “Writing 101: Getting Started in Your Writing Career.”

Although billed as an introductory session, it was attended by both new and experienced writers. “I was honored by the high turnout at my workshop,” said Peter DeHaan. “I printed three times as many handouts as I thought I’d need — and I still ran out.” After the session, DeHaan conducted one-on-one meetings with several attendees and had a follow-up lunch session with others.

“The response was great to what I shared,” added DeHaan. “The attendees were eager to learn and I was honored by their presence and feedback.”

Attendees were excited about what Peter shared. “This was an excellent workshop,” stated Cathy Rueter. “This was my third year at Breathe and [Peter’s] was one of the most informative workshops I’ve attended.”

Tom Zook, another attendee, enthusiastically added, “Excellent content; wonderful presentation.”

DeHaan will be providing follow-up information and free writing services to those who attended his workshop and signed up to receive his monthly newsletter.

Learn more about the Breathe Christian Writers Conference and Peter DeHaan.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: The Successful Author: Discover the Art of Writing and Business of Publishing. Get your copy today.

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Peter DeHaan to Speak at Breathe Conference

Workshop Offered for New Writers, Those Considering a Writing Career, and Writers Who Want to Breathe New Life into Their Work

Mattawan, Michigan, Aug 21, 2011—Author Peter DeHaan will be speaking at the upcoming Breathe Christian Writers Conference taking place on October 12 and 13 in Dutton Michigan, just a couple miles from the Grand Rapids airport (the Gerald R. Ford International Airport).

“I’ve attended the Breathe Christian Writers Conference for the past two years and am excited to be one of this year’s workshop presenters,” stated Peter DeHaan. “It’s a first-class operation and a tremendous value for writers at all levels. I am honored to be part of this year’s conference.” The title of Peter’s workshop is “Writing 101: Getting Started in Your Writing Career.” It is designed for new writers, those considering writing as a career, and those who want to breathe new life into their work.

“I’ve been writing for 30 years—and a writer for three,” DeHaan recently quipped. This is not a dichotomy, but an acknowledgment that Peter has years of experience to share but can do so through the eyes of a relative newbie, who only recently considered writing as his career. Peter DeHaan, a published author since 1983 and a magazine publisher and editor since 2001, will share his insights and offer advice to help attendees get started in the exciting world of writing. Topics include: the myths and misconceptions of being a writer, how to get started—and succeed, avoiding rookie mistakes, tools of the trade, and honing your craft. If you are new to the world of writing or need a primer to get started, this is the ideal session for you.

The keynote for this year’s two-day conference is publisher, speaker, and author Terry Whalin whose sessions will cover “Never, Never, Never Give Up” and “Keep Growing, Keep Learning.” In addition to other general sessions, there will be an array of workshops, plenty of networking opportunities, and time for informal social interaction.

Learn more about the Breathe Christian Writers Conference.

This announcement has been posted online for Peter DeHaan by PRlog.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: The Successful Author: Discover the Art of Writing and Business of Publishing. Get your copy today.

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Kalamazoo Christian Writers Critique Group Holds First Meeting

Peter DeHaan and Jerry Barrett have started a writers critique group, Kalamazoo Christian Writers (KCW), based in Kalamazoo Michigan. The first meeting was held on July 11 at The Point, a non-profit community center located on the west side of Kalamazoo.

KCW materials passed out at the inaugural meeting state, “Though this is a Christian writers group, there is no expectation that all our work must be ostensible ‘Christian’ writing. Christians who write have a place in virtually every genre, market, and industry; we need to embrace and support that.”

“The response was great,” said co-founder Peter DeHaan. “We talked about the vision for the group, shared the critiquing process, and practiced on a couple of pieces.” Attendees were universally excited about the group and what it will offer to improve their writing and advance their careers.

For some time Barrett and DeHaan have been making an hour drive twice a month to take part in another critique group. When they realized the value of group critiquing and with the uncertainty of winter driving in Michigan, they began making plans to form a local group. Though the two intend to remain connected with the first group, this new endeavor, KCW, will be their focus.

“The main value of a critique group is to help the writer to look at the window of the craft of writing not through it,” said co-founder Jerry Barrett. “The goal of critique is to help one another, as writers, to accentuate what is clear for the reader and to remove possible smudges on the pane.”

The critiquing process is scalable, so there’s no limit to the size of the group – and the meeting room is large enough to accommodate a much larger scope. Regardless of the number present, writers will split into manageable sized groups to maximize effectiveness and minimize time requirements. Critiquing is best when done in groups of four or five, with everyone having a piece to share and everyone providing feedback.

The group meets the second Wednesday of each month. Email Peter DeHaan for more information.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: The Successful Author: Discover the Art of Writing and Business of Publishing. Get your copy today.

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Peter DeHaan and Jerry Barrett Start Writers Group

Kalamazoo Christian Writers critique group holds first meeting and generates excitement

Mattawan, Michigan, July 19, 2012 – Peter DeHaan and Jerry Barrett have started a writers critique group, Kalamazoo Christian Writers (KCW), based in Kalamazoo Michigan. The first meeting was held July 11 at The Point, a non-profit community center located on the west side of Kalamazoo.

KCW materials passed out at the inaugural meeting state, “Though this is a Christian writers group, there is no expectation that all our work must be ostensibly ‘Christian’ writing. Christians who write have a place in virtually every genre, market, and industry; we need to embrace and support that.”

“The response was great,” said cofounder Peter DeHaan. “We talked about the vision for the group, shared the critiquing process, and practiced on a couple of pieces.” Attendees were universally excited about the group and what it will offer to improve their writing and advance their careers.

For some time Barrett and DeHaan have been making an hour drive twice a month to take part in another critique group. When they realized the value of group critiquing and with the uncertainty of winter driving in Michigan, they began making plans to form a local group. Though the two intend to remain connected with the first group, this new endeavor, KCW, will be their focus.

“The main value of a critique group is to help the writer to look at the window of the craft of writing not through it,” said cofounder Jerry Barrett. “The goal of critique is to help one another, as writers, to accentuate what is clear for the reader and to remove possible smudges on the pane.”

The critiquing process is scalable, so there’s no limit to the size of the group – and the meeting room is large enough to accommodate a much larger scope. Regardless of the number present, writers will split into manageable sized groups to maximize effectiveness and minimize time requirements. Critiquing is best when done in groups of four or five, with everyone having a piece to share and everyone providing feedback.

The group meets the second Wednesday of each month. Email Peter DeHaan for more information.

About Jerry Barrett: Jerry Barrett (aka “Jerry Poet”) is a longtime poet and a more recent memoirist. He frequently blogs his distinctive poetry, insightful observations, and compelling commentary at Gerald the Writer.

About Peter DeHaan: Peter DeHaan is a published author and president of Peter DeHaan Publishing Inc.

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Writer’s Critique Group Forming

Earlier this year, my buddy and I started attending a writers’ critique group. It has been beneficial to us, offering encouragement, affirmation, and correction. Unfortunately, it takes us an hour to get there—and even longer when the weather is bad.

Though we will remain connected with that group, we are also starting our own writers’ critique group, closer to home, in the Kalamazoo, Michigan area. If you live near the ‘Zoo and want to check things out or join us, add a comment here or email me (peter@authorpeterdehaan.com).

Here’s the official invite:

We are in the process of starting a Christian Writers’ Critique Group in the Kalamazoo area. It is open to all interested writers at any level. We will meet once a month, likely on Tuesday night. If you—or anyone you know—is interest in learning more, please contact me.

I hope to hear from you!

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: The Successful Author: Discover the Art of Writing and Business of Publishing. Get your copy today.

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Peter DeHaan Attends 2012 Festival of Faith and Writing Conference

Peter DeHaan attended the recent Festival of Faith and Writing conference held at Calvin College in Grand Rapids Michigan on April 19 through 21. The three-day event was attended by 2,000 from across the United States and around the world; it featured 64 presenters.

At the Festival, attendees were treated to an array of presentations and readings from notable authors, including Lucy Shaw, Shane Claiborne, and scores of other accomplished writers. The event also featured a concert by Bruce Cockburn.

Normally writing non-fiction, DeHaan focused his attention on several presentations about writing memoirs. “I’m currently working on two memoirs,” stated DeHaan. “Both address my lifelong practice of—and struggle with—church attendance. The sessions I attended will be a huge benefit as I write, helping me to navigate some of the tricky challenges that come with memoir writing.”

DeHaan attended sessions led by memoir writers such as Amy Julia Becker, River Jordan, Jana Reiss, Jennifer Grant, Margot Starbuck, Daniel Taylor, Kate Braestrup, and Paula Hudson.

“The Festival of Faith and Writing is a first-class conference,” DeHaan added, “and the beautiful Calvin College campus is an ideal location.” The biennial event started in 1990, with the next one planned for 2014.

For more information, email Peter DeHaan.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: The Successful Author: Discover the Art of Writing and Business of Publishing. Get your copy today.

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Peter DeHaan Gives Keynote Address at SNUG Convention

Peter DeHaan, the publisher of Connections Magazine and TAS Trader, gave the keynote address at the recent SNUG (Startel Network Users Group) convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which was held March 11-14. Peter focused his address on the theme of “how to get the most out of this convention.”

He encouraged people to share ideas generously and receive information graciously, which he summarizes as “Peter’s Law of Reciprocity.” With that as the focus, Peter then continued his address, expanding on this premise by adding his thoughts on “how to get the most out of your business and your life.” His presentation was well-received, garnering enthusiastic and appreciative comments from attendees.

On the convention’s second day, Peter gave a subsequent talk entitled, “The TAS Industry: Preparing for the Future.” In it, he shared eight areas of consideration for the telephone answering service (TAS) industry to address if it is to be well situated for the future. Despite all the rapid changes in the TAS industry, Peter is optimistic about the future prospects—providing that business owners and managers are willing to make strategic and well-informed changes.

“The SNUG group is a great association—with some progressive ideas – and I was honored to be invited to speak at their convention,” stated Peter DeHaan. “Being around industry leaders and innovators is exciting and invigorating—and I was privileged to be part of the collective discussion.”

Peter DeHaan is a veteran of the call center industry and president of Peter DeHaan Publishing Inc, whose publications include Connections Magazine and TAS Trader.

For more information, go to Peter DeHaan’s website.

Learn more about writing and publishing in Peter’s book: The Successful Author: Discover the Art of Writing and Business of Publishing. Get your copy today.