Question: Who is the intended audience?
Answer: The Confident Speaker is for those who experience public speaking anxiety and want to present themselves as more self-assured, poised, and charismatic.

Q: What is the book about?
A: This book is about opening up doors and opportunities by communicating with confidence. Speaking anxiety is addressed in all situations, from formal presentations in front of large audiences, to cocktail parties, to introducing yourself at meetings. Readers will no longer be held back by the fear of public speaking and will be confident to pursue all of their personal and professional goals.

Q: Why are you the best person to write this book?
A: I (Larina Kase) paired up with executive speech coach to CEOs and politicians, Harrison Monarth, on this book. I’m a licensed psychologist specializing in performance anxiety. A few years ago I was on clinical faculty at The Center for the Treatment and Study of Anxiety at The University of Pennsylvania and I learned cutting edge treatments for speaking anxiety, which I was eager to share in this book. Harrison brings his expertise in how to create and deliver powerful presentations. The whole is definitely greater than the sum of the parts and our combined backgrounds give readers everything they need to communicate with confidence.

Q: How is this book different from other books on this topic?
A: First, as I mentioned above, The Confident Speaker addresses both how to overcome public speaking anxiety and how to develop the presentation skills of top professional speakers.

Second, the research which this book is based on shows several fascinating findings which are not addressed in any other public speaking book. For example, recent research shows that the way that you focus your attention while preparing for your speech and delivering it (or while in conversations) is a key factor in whether or not you are self-conscious and nervous.

Third, The Confident Speaker gives specific action steps and coaching points for people to use in the real world, so it is like having your own personal coach.

Q: Is there anything else we should know about this book?
A: Anyone can overcome public speaking anxiety. Using the strategies in this book I’ve helped hundreds of people, even those with severe performance anxiety, to become wonderful presenters. Reading a book will not make you a confident speaker, but reading it and putting it into practice absolutely will.