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Peter DeHaan News

The 2014 Breathe Christian Writers Conference

Last month I spoke about blogging at the Grand Rapids WordCamp. Next month I’ll again be speaking about blogging, this time at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference on October 10-11.

The title of my Saturday presentation is “Getting Started with WordPress for Your Author Blog or Website.” In addition to my workshop on WordPress, there will be two other blogging sessions as well.

In another session, this one on Friday, I’ll talk about “Ten Steps to Start (or Restart) Your Writing Career.” This is an update of my well-received presentation from last year. In addition to my two presentations, there will be over thirty others to consider as well.

Author Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity

I invite you to attend the Breathe Christian Writers Conference to learn about writing. I hope to see you there, either to meet for the first time or to reconnect. Breathe is a great writing conference and my one “can’t miss” meeting every year.

If you’ve never attended a writers conference, please make Breathe be your first one; otherwise, I encourage you to add it to your agenda. Do this for yourself, your writing, and your career.

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

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Peter DeHaan News

Peter DeHaan Addresses Breathe Conference

Author Peter DeHaan spoke at the Breathe Christian Writers Conference on October 12, 2012, 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.”

Author Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity

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.”

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

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Peter DeHaan News

Peter DeHaan to Speak at Breathe Conference

Local Author to Give Writers Workshop

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).

Author Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity

“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’s 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 thirty 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 when he speaks at the Breathe Conference.

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 writing and publishing in Peter’s book: Successful Author FAQs: Discover the Art of Writing, the Business of Publishing, and the Joy of Wielding Words. Get your copy today.

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Peter DeHaan News

Kalamazoo Christian Writers Critique Group Holds First Meeting

First Meeting a Resounding Success

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.

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

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.

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Peter DeHaan News

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.

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

Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.

Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.