Saskia Shakin's insightful release, More Than Words Can Say: The Making of Inspired Speakers, is for you — if you've ever dreaded getting up in public — if you'd rather dig ditches than stand in front of a group. And especially, if you are finally ready to turn your fear into your forte.

More Than Words Can Say is unlike any other book on public speaking. It dwells less on the mechanics of speaking and more on how you dwell within yourself.

Here you will find how to inspire yourself and become inspiring to others. You will learn how access your own charisma and how to find your voice so that your message comes across as unique as you are.

We all feel confident when we're enjoying ourselves. It is only when our doubts get the upper hand that our confidence wanes. More Than Words Can Say explains why joy trumps fear — why joy enables confidence. Finding your joy — unearthing your passion will not only be meaningful activities for you, they will be a gift to your audience. And your audience will return the gift with interest! Because when you relax, so do they. When you're having fun, they do too.

This book will help you unearth the pleasure of speaking. You will gain confidence not because you have practiced it, but because you have claimed it.

You should read it. Even if you don't consider yourself a public speaker, you need this book. The fact is that everyone — from homemaker to lawmaker, from leader to leading lady, from talking head to corporate head — will at one time or another have to stand up and be heard. And even if you are a seasoned speaker, the message of More Than Words Can Say will help you soar.

This book will convince you that you have what it takes ... that the answers are within you ... that your job is one of discovery rather than mastery.

When you discover your voice, you'll be able to voice your vision. And when sharing a vision, you shine. Your own light is far brighter than any spotlight could be.

The premise of More Than Words Can Say is simple: before you work on a talk, you must work on yourself.

Audiences tend to sleep not because you are boring them, they sleep when you are boring yourself! How do they know? They know because they feel disconnected. But More Than Words Can Say explains that when you are engaged, so are they. When you are sincere, sharing what you know best, when you are having fun, then they stay with you.

By being at home within yourself, you invite others in. Then, it matters not whether you're in your living room or in a lecture hall.

In More Than Words Can Say, you'll rediscover the two central secrets to public speaking: secrets that you may already know — but that you need to remember. They will make you at home wherever you are; and they will have your audience wanting to spend time in your home.

Using anecdotes and examples, Saskia illustrates how to capture your audience; why listening is as important as speaking, and why your gut reaction is as valuable as what your head may tell you.

More Than Words Can Say will help you understand that all speaking is public speaking. Unless you are standing in a closet muttering to yourself, you are speaking in public. It is your perception that needs to change, not necessarily your speech. This book is the first to examine the origins of performance anxiety and offers a sure-fire way to overcome it.

No, you don't need to take off your clothes. But you do need to strip away artifice and reveal who you are and what you value. When you strip away your masks, you reveal your light. And your light is more inspiring, more persuasive than anything you might say.

You may think your masks will protect you. They will, in fact, obscure you. More Than Words Can Say will help shine the spotlight on the most charismatic you. When you strip away falseness, your truth will lead you to your voice. And once you've found your voice, you won't fear your audience, you'll know how to seduce them!

More Than Words Can Say easily fits into a pocket or purse. But don't be misled. It's small size contains a mighty message! You will find yourself using it when speaking anytime — anywhere — whether at home or in public. Just as Saskia has coached CEO's of Fortune 500 companies, she can help you express your best self and have fun while you're at it.

To fear, to self-doubt, to the voice of the inner critic.

To taking a chance on love! To taking a chance on yourself! To reading a book that is provocative, fun, and moving.

More Than Words Can Say will change the way you look at public speaking forever. It may even change the way you look at yourself.

For over 30 years, Saskia has shown corporate clients, performing artists, and keynote speakers how to communicate in ways that stimulate thought, provoke insight, and engage audiences.

Whether you are speaking in Congress, a courtroom, a TV studio, a boardroom or your bedroom, Saskia shows you how to present the best you.

Her coaching is aimed not only at keynote speakers, but all key speakers in any context. Saskia's career has taught her that no two speakers are alike — and that discovering your own voice is far more important than finding the right words.

Her techniques are grounded in Linguistics and the insights of Yoga. She holds an M.A. degree from Columbia University's Teachers College, and has practiced Yoga for over 40 years.

Saskia has worked with diplomats and business-people from around the world. She has lived in Europe, traveled extensively, is fluent in French and rusty in Italian. She makes her home in New York City and the Hudson River Valley.

MORE THAN WORDS CAN SAY
The Making of Inspired Speakers
By Saskia Shakin, $15.00
original trade paperback

164 pages, (indexed),
ISBN-13: 9780981697031
ISBN-10: 0981697038
LCCN 2008928506