You don’t have to be an extrovert to speak well.
The practicalities, mindset and business of public speaking, from a professional speaker, author and introvert. Written and narrated by Joanna Penn.
Do you want to learn to speak effectively in front of an audience?
All successful creatives have to speak and present in public, whether that’s at a festival, on a podcast or radio show, or as part of earning multiple streams of income.
But you don’t have to be like Tony Robbins, bouncing around on stage with a booming voice and larger than life personality. You just have to be you and tell your story in your own way.
In this book, I share everything I know as a professional speaker, author and introvert. It covers the practicalities of speaking, mindset issues like anxiety, and the business side if you want to make speaking an income stream.
Who this book is for
This book is for authors and creatives who need to speak in public, at a launch, a festival, a library, on a podcast or on a panel, and who would secretly rather not. It’s especially for introverts who find the idea of performing exhausting.
It’s also for anyone who wants to make speaking part of their business, with practical guidance on finding events, building a speaker brand and deciding how much to charge.
What you’ll learn
The book has three parts: the practicalities of speaking, mindset, and the speaking business. Here are the questions it answers.
- What types of speaking are there, and how do I decide on my topic?
- How do I prepare, and how do I manage my energy as an introvert?
- What makes useful slides, handouts and workbooks?
- How do I present myself, give the talk, and handle people and panels?
- How do I gather feedback and testimonials, and improve my speaking over time?
- How do I tackle anxiety and the fear of public speaking?
- How do I grow my confidence and use my authentic story?
- How do I get speaking events, or run my own?
- What do my speaker brand, website and speaker’s page need?
- How do I market myself as a speaker with email, content, social media, video and audio?
- How much should I charge, and how can speaking increase my revenue streams?
Listen to a sample of the audiobook
Listen to a sample of the audiobook, narrated by me.
Where to buy
Available in ebook, paperback, large print, hardback and audiobook, narrated by me. Buying direct from my store gives you the best price on bundles and supports me directly. Thank you.
What readers say
★★★★★
I bought your new book on public speaking today, and does it ever speak to me! Your description of yourself as an introvert describes me perfectly, and the best part is it makes me feel that finally it's okay to be an introvert.
Jodie Renner, author and editor
★★★★★
If you need the know-how, this book will give it to you. But it's not just a know-how book. Joanna writes from personal experience in a very friendly and genuine manner.
Jessica Bell, author and writing coach
★★★★★
This is the most comprehensive book I've read on public speaking. It not only covers the preparation process and mechanics of the act of public speaking but also how to promote yourself and grow your business as a speaker.
Robin Storey, author
About Joanna Penn
I’m an award-winning, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. I write non-fiction for authors as Joanna Penn, and thrillers, dark fantasy, horror and travel memoir as J.F. Penn.
I’ve hosted The Creative Penn Podcast since 2009, with interviews on writing, publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing.
I have a Master’s degree in Death, Religion and Culture from the University of Winchester (2026) and a Master’s in Theology from the University of Oxford. I live in Bath, England.
Podcast episodes about speaking and introverts
These episodes of The Creative Penn Podcast cover speaking, performing and being an introvert in a public-facing creative career.
- Why authors should learn to speak in public (Joanna Penn)
- Performance tips for authors with Laura Baggaley
- Lessons learned from speaking at Author Nation (Joanna Penn)
- How to pitch podcasts and be a great podcast guest with Matty Dalrymple
- The introvert entrepreneur with Beth Buelow
- The creative introvert with Cat Rose
Questions about public speaking for authors
Can introverts be good public speakers?
Yes. Being an introvert is about where you get your energy, not whether you can speak well. The key is preparation, managing your energy before and after an event, and being yourself on stage rather than copying a high-energy style that doesn't suit you.
How do I deal with nerves before a talk?
Nerves are normal, and I still get them. Prepare well, practise out loud, arrive early to get used to the room, and focus on serving your audience rather than on yourself. The mindset section covers anxiety and the fear of public speaking in detail.
Do I need slides?
Not always. Slides can help an audience follow along, but they should support you, not replace you. The book has tips on slide packs, handouts and workbooks, so you can decide what suits your talk.
How do I get booked to speak?
Start with the places your readers already gather, such as libraries, festivals, conferences and podcasts, and make it easy for organisers to say yes with a clear speaker's page and testimonials. The speaking business section covers getting events, running your own, and networking.
How much should I charge?
It depends on your experience, the audience and the type of event, and your fee usually rises as your reputation grows. The book covers how much to charge, the financial considerations, and how speaking can add to your other revenue streams.
Next steps
Get the free Author Blueprint
Join my email list and I will send you my Author Blueprint, with the steps on the author journey from idea to published book and beyond, plus my newsletter with tips on writing, publishing and marketing.
Listen to The Creative Penn Podcast
New episodes every Wednesday, wherever you listen to podcasts: interviews and solo shows on writing, publishing, book marketing and making a living with your writing. Browse the podcast.
Watch on YouTube
Tutorials, interviews and full audiobooks of my non-fiction on The Creative Penn channel.
