The Public Speaking Handbook for Women
Speaking Up and Speaking Well to Make the Most of Your Life
(First Edition)
©2026, 196 pages
Paperback list price: $29.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $28.95
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Women have not smashed every glass ceiling and urgently need proven strategies and techniques to conquer the unique challenges they face when speaking in public.
The Public Speaking Handbook for Women: Speaking Up and Speaking Well to Make the Most of Your Life provides a modern perspective on the communication challenges and triumphs unique to women, extending beyond traditional settings to include digital mediums like social media and online conferencing.
The book covers critical topics in public speaking such as voice modulation, language choices, appearance, audience analysis, authenticity, organization, and dealing with stage fright. Author Nichola D. Gutgold provides a panoramic view of public speaking and addresses why each aspect of communication holds particular significance for women. Throughout, women speakers offer advice gleaned from their personal experiences. The book not only offers insights and actionable strategies for effective communication but also invites readers to reflect on their individual skills and societal roles.
The Public Speaking Handbook for Women is an exemplary resource for courses and programs in communication, leadership, gender studies, and professional development. It is also an excellent book for any woman looking to improve her public speaking skills.
A Statement from the Author in Recognition of Women's History Month 2026
"Women have made great strides in every walk of life and still, there are still challenges that prevent women from full participation. After thirty plus years of researching and writing about women trailblazers and teaching public speaking, I wrote The Public Speaking Handbook for Women: Speaking Up and Speaking Well to Make the Most of Your Life to address the challenges women have in communicating to their full advantage. For example, if women do not communicate in meetings, their leadership abilities are often overlooked. There is a chapter devoted to giving women the necessary strategies to speak up in meetings."
The Public Speaking Handbook for Women: Speaking Up and Speaking Well to Make the Most of Your Life provides a modern perspective on the communication challenges and triumphs unique to women, extending beyond traditional settings to include digital mediums like social media and online conferencing.
The book covers critical topics in public speaking such as voice modulation, language choices, appearance, audience analysis, authenticity, organization, and dealing with stage fright. Author Nichola D. Gutgold provides a panoramic view of public speaking and addresses why each aspect of communication holds particular significance for women. Throughout, women speakers offer advice gleaned from their personal experiences. The book not only offers insights and actionable strategies for effective communication but also invites readers to reflect on their individual skills and societal roles.
The Public Speaking Handbook for Women is an exemplary resource for courses and programs in communication, leadership, gender studies, and professional development. It is also an excellent book for any woman looking to improve her public speaking skills.
A Statement from the Author in Recognition of Women's History Month 2026
"Women have made great strides in every walk of life and still, there are still challenges that prevent women from full participation. After thirty plus years of researching and writing about women trailblazers and teaching public speaking, I wrote The Public Speaking Handbook for Women: Speaking Up and Speaking Well to Make the Most of Your Life to address the challenges women have in communicating to their full advantage. For example, if women do not communicate in meetings, their leadership abilities are often overlooked. There is a chapter devoted to giving women the necessary strategies to speak up in meetings."
Nichola D. Gutgold (Ph.D., Penn State) is a professor of communication arts and sciences at Penn State Lehigh Valley. The recipient of numerous awards, she is the author of more than ten books and many articles on the rhetoric of trailblazing women and effective communication.
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Reviews from Amazon
"Empowering and Practical Guide for Every Woman! As a longtime fan of all of her writings and work, I couldn’t wait to dive into her latest gem and this book is a must-read for anyone looking to build confidence and master the art of communication. Her insights on overcoming stage fright, choosing the right words, and navigating digital platforms like Zoom and social media are spot-on and backed by real stories from inspiring women speakers. It’s not just theory—it’s actionable advice that can transform how you show up in meetings, presentations, or everyday life. Highly recommended for women ready to speak up and shine!"
KArthur
"Like Hiring a Professional Speaking Coach. Dr. Gutgold's book provides succinct, accurate, and immediately usable direction for presenters. And, beyond that, it provides advice for women to be heard, seen, and respected in all areas of their personal and professional lives. This book is eminently readable, and is like having a trusted and incisive professional coach, who is also a friend, candidly review and improve your communication and presentation skills."
Laura S. Eppler
"A fantastic addition to my library. I am grateful to have this gem in my library. I have many opportunities to speak both in person and on Zoom and this book will be my go to in the future for my shares. Congratulations to the author for her clear way of coaching all women in all walks of life."
Karen Lansdale
"Great book for women speakers. Bought for my friend and she found it enormously useful."
rocco
"Valuable Read. Excellent, easily accessible advice and observations. Highly recommend for both early career and seasoned professional."
Amazon Customer
"Fantastic Resource for Upping Your Speaking Game. I just received my copy and am so impressed with the breath of information in this thoughtful, well-laid out, modern guide. My highlighter is ready!!"
LH
"Every Woman can Benefit from this Book! Public Speaking can be difficult and totally intimidating! Few women are born with the ability to captivate an audience with their WORDS....whether it's the office meeting or an auditorium. We need to LEARN this art and Dr. Gutgold's book provides sound teaching from a professional who has "walked the walk" and is sharing her secrets! What's more, there are numerous side-bars from women who are also in the trenches and have relevant experiences to add to the validity of the importance and necessity that women can master this craft! Well done - and easy read with surprising information that will have the reader feeling educated and satisfied......and ready for that next time when it's HER turn to speak!"
Teri
"Speak up and Speak well! What an incredible and timely book for women from all walks of life to impact one’s comfort with public speaking. Now more than ever we need strong voices to stand out and speak well. Today, with the continued changing world of the ways in which we communicate, public speaking is becoming a lost art. With Dr. Gutgold’s well organized and implemented ideas, women can continue to hone their craft and level of expertise in effectively addressing a variety of audiences. This is a must read for any woman regardless of comfort level or frequency of public speaking!"
julianne flaim
"Empowering and Practical Guide for Every Woman! As a longtime fan of all of her writings and work, I couldn’t wait to dive into her latest gem and this book is a must-read for anyone looking to build confidence and master the art of communication. Her insights on overcoming stage fright, choosing the right words, and navigating digital platforms like Zoom and social media are spot-on and backed by real stories from inspiring women speakers. It’s not just theory—it’s actionable advice that can transform how you show up in meetings, presentations, or everyday life. Highly recommended for women ready to speak up and shine!"
KArthur
"Like Hiring a Professional Speaking Coach. Dr. Gutgold's book provides succinct, accurate, and immediately usable direction for presenters. And, beyond that, it provides advice for women to be heard, seen, and respected in all areas of their personal and professional lives. This book is eminently readable, and is like having a trusted and incisive professional coach, who is also a friend, candidly review and improve your communication and presentation skills."
Laura S. Eppler
"A fantastic addition to my library. I am grateful to have this gem in my library. I have many opportunities to speak both in person and on Zoom and this book will be my go to in the future for my shares. Congratulations to the author for her clear way of coaching all women in all walks of life."
Karen Lansdale
"Great book for women speakers. Bought for my friend and she found it enormously useful."
rocco
"Valuable Read. Excellent, easily accessible advice and observations. Highly recommend for both early career and seasoned professional."
Amazon Customer
"Fantastic Resource for Upping Your Speaking Game. I just received my copy and am so impressed with the breath of information in this thoughtful, well-laid out, modern guide. My highlighter is ready!!"
LH
"Every Woman can Benefit from this Book! Public Speaking can be difficult and totally intimidating! Few women are born with the ability to captivate an audience with their WORDS....whether it's the office meeting or an auditorium. We need to LEARN this art and Dr. Gutgold's book provides sound teaching from a professional who has "walked the walk" and is sharing her secrets! What's more, there are numerous side-bars from women who are also in the trenches and have relevant experiences to add to the validity of the importance and necessity that women can master this craft! Well done - and easy read with surprising information that will have the reader feeling educated and satisfied......and ready for that next time when it's HER turn to speak!"
Teri
"Speak up and Speak well! What an incredible and timely book for women from all walks of life to impact one’s comfort with public speaking. Now more than ever we need strong voices to stand out and speak well. Today, with the continued changing world of the ways in which we communicate, public speaking is becoming a lost art. With Dr. Gutgold’s well organized and implemented ideas, women can continue to hone their craft and level of expertise in effectively addressing a variety of audiences. This is a must read for any woman regardless of comfort level or frequency of public speaking!"
julianne flaim
