Book excerpt: If you're afraid to speak in public, you're not alone. A well-known study showed that more people put fear of public speaking at the top of their list of fears, even above the fear of death! But armed with The Everything Public Speaking Book, you can conquer your fears and learn practical ways to: Reduce nervousness Set up a room for effective presentations Deal with hecklers "Wow" the audience with a motivating message and delivery Leave them begging for more This pocket guide is packed with practical tools for creating a focused presentation that holds the audience's attention. You'll gain confidence as you build the skills you need to deliver a crowd-pleasing performance-every time! Scott S. Smith has delivered more than 3,000 speeches, business presentations, and media interviews. He has been a publicist, marketing executive, nonprofit manager, business owner, and speechwriter. Smith is also a freelance journalist whose articles have appeared in Reader's Digest, American Way, Los Angeles Magazine, and American Heritage of Invention and Technology. He lives in West Hollywood, CA.