Author Bio
John Derryberry
Raised
Orwell Ohio
Moved to Iowa in august of 2000
Now resides in Cedar Falls Iowa
Family
Mother: Sharon Derrybery, one brother and one
sister; David and Crystal, Brother in law; Paul,
nephew and niece; Ethan and Hannah
Education
Degree: Bachelor of Liberal Arts from
Grand View College, Des Moines Iowa
First off thanks for stopping by the site, as you probably know by now this project is my book site. It
all started in the fall semester of 2001. I was attending Marycrest International University in Davenport
Iowa and spent the summer working with the youth still trying to figure out what I really wanted out of life
and maybe more importantly who I wanted to be. I started to write down what I went through with the death
of my father and little stories about Eric, mostly for me not really for anyone else to read or see. These first
writings were hardly even readable let alone finished thoughts, but I really liked the thrill of shaping words
and thoughts into stories about my family and me. I would have left it at that, but one of my college friends
gave it to my professor of mine without my knowledge. My professor said while it needs more then a face
life that if I put some work in on it that she could eventually see a story developing out of the gibberish.
I continued to re write and re write but not with any real purpose no real voice. During this whole
period I had transferred to Grand View College in Des Moines Iowa. At first the move was not met with
open arms, I did not embrace my new surroundings, but it turned out to be the best place for me. I gave up
playing organized basketball for a new dream of becoming a published author. I sought out new help to
write my book. I gave my work in progress to a published poetry writer that was also an English professor.
He was gracious enough to read my work and then basically ripped my heart out by saying this is not
readable and while there may be a story somewhere in this mess I don’t think you are the one to tell it. That
was a major shock to my world and dreams. The funny thing about me was that everyone told me I was too
slow to play college basketball and that I would be transferring home after my move out to Iowa from Ohio.
So that criticism wasn’t a deterrent, but a motivator.
I then spent the summer reading 8 books and my favorite was A Clockwork Orange by Anthony
Burgess. I was trying to hone my craft and I then spent the last two years of college refocused and a writer, a
bad one, but at least a writer. I once again rewrote my manuscript and proudly gave it back to my hard to
convince professor, hoping for one compliment and it came with a simple sentence. He said “so your not
going to take no for an answer” which meant he was willing to work with me. With all honesty if he never
decided to work with me this project would never have got published.
An independent study later and one last rewrite under the advice from my professor, he told me the
greatest compliment I have never been given by another writer which was “you have a shot to published as
much as any other writer.” That brings us to today and my hope that my stories help lives and makes people
value life and the people that grace yours everyday.
I live in Cedar Falls Iowa, doing public speaking around the state and hoping to start my next project
soon. During the week I work with children in a before and after school program.
I hope I can continue to write and public speak for the rest of my life, but who knows what the future
holds. I’m glad you stopped by and I hope you read my little book. Please send me an email while you are
here and I’d love some feed back from my readers. Also to have them share their story with me would be a
great compliment to this author and trust me I will reply to anyone that requests it. Sincerely John Paul
Derryberry
Resume
John Derryberry
1603 Washington St
Cedar Falls IA 50613
(jpderryberry@hotmail.com)
Experience
February 2006- present Dbproductions Cedar Falls Iowa
Author/Public Speaker
• Self published book entitled Defending a Ghost (www.dbproductionsohio.com) sold
over 350 copies
• Public speaking engagements have been in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, New York, and Iowa,
at public libraries, colleges, at-risk teen schools, programs for rehabbing adults
• Have done one-hour talks in front 700 people.
August 2005- August 2000
January 2007- Present Four Oaks Cedar Rapids Iowa
Youth Consoler
In the direct care of young adults
YWCA Waterloo IA
On site Supervisor
• In charge of the daily running of a before and afterschool program/pre-teen room for
summer program of approximately 20 children and 3 staff
• Head Start and Early Childhood Afterschool Care Provider
• Fully certified and attended all required conferences
January 2003 July 2005 Metro Kids Care Des Moines IA
Team Leader
• January 2003 hire as a regular afterschool care giver
• Promoted to Assistant Team Leader June 2004 and promoted Team Leader December
2004.
• In charge of the daily running of before and after school program of 93 children and 5
staff.
September 2002-July 2005 YMCA Des Moines IA.
Site Supervisor
• Head Referee for Flag football league for 3rd through 6th graders
• Site Supervisor of Basketball camps ranging from ages 4 to 13
• Site Supervisor of Adult Summer Basketball Leagues
Education 2002-2006 Grand View College Des Moines, IA
• B.A., Liberal Arts. Focus area Philosophy and Religion
Skills
Certified in First Aid, CPR, Blood borne Pathogens/OSHA, AED, and Mandatory Reporter
Volunteer Work
January 2007 5th and 6th grade basketball coach in Waterloo Iowa
July 2006 till present Big brother in Waterloo Iowa
Winter of 2004 and 2005 assistant 5th grades boys basketball coach in Des Moines Iowa for
YMCA of Walnut Creek
All speaking dates
Public Speaking history
Nov 2004 Union Park Presbyterian Church Des Moines Iowa
Nov 2004 Grand View College Chapel Service Des Moines Iowa
Mar 2005 Union Park Presbyterian Church Des Moines Iowa
Feb 2006 Grand Valley Public Library Orwell Ohio
Feb 2006 Grand View College student life Des Moines Iowa
Feb 2006 Friendly House Davenport Iowa
Apr 2006 Bremwood Campus of Lutheran Services Waverly Iowa
Oct 2006 Gateway-Longview Williamsville New York
Oct 2006 Berea Children's Home Berea Ohio
Oct 2006 Cunningham Children's Home Urbana Illinois
Nov 2006 Christian Haven Wheatfield Indiana
Dec 2006 Cleveland Teen Challenge, Perry Ohio