Own the room. Every time.
Whether you are meeting someone new or managing a delicate conversation, this book helps you find the language, the grace, and the grounded confidence you need to shine. It’s a gentle guide with helpful, real-world tips and no mean girl energy.
AVAILABLE MARCH 17, 2026
Was It Something
I said?
By: Alison M. Cheperdak
LIST PRICE $29.99
PRICE MAY VARY BY RETAILER
Ships on or around March 17, 2026
She's finally here!
The modern etiquette guide you'll actually use
Inspired by years spent navigating high-pressure rooms, from live TV studios to the West Wing of the White House, Alison M. Cheperdak has learned one thing: how we treat people matters more than ever. And most of us were never truly taught how to do it well.
As an etiquette expert who has taught seminars everywhere from Harvard Law School to the White House to the U.S. Congress, as well as for some of the largest global companies, Alison has helped thousands of people build confidence, clarity, and connection in their everyday lives.
Now she has gathered her top tips, most-asked questions, and real-life scripts into a book created for you. Was It Something I Said? is a modern, practical, confidence-building guide to every social moment life offers, whether big, small, awkward, or high-stakes.
If you have ever wondered what to say to a new colleague, how to handle a tricky conversation with grace, or whether your text sounded a little off, this book is for you.
With warmth and expertise, Alison shows that etiquette is not about perfection or performance. It is about respect, emotional intelligence, and making people feel at ease, including yourself.
Inside, you will learn how to:
The modern etiquette guide you'll actually use
Build real confidence in social and professional settings
Start conversations, sustain them, and exit gracefully
Navigate the moments everyone dreads, including awkward encounters or forgotten names
Handle tricky topics with thoughtfulness, from money to family dynamics to meeting your partner's parents
Understand dress codes, dining etiquette, and everyday social cues without any snobbery
Show up with polished presence while staying true to who you are
Whether you are giving a toast, interviewing for your dream job, traveling abroad, texting a friend, or hosting a dinner that brings people together, this book helps you move through life with heart, clarity, and gracious ease.
Etiquette is not old-fashioned. It is a soft-skill superpower, and it is needed now more than ever.
Was It Something I Said? is your companion for feeling confident wherever life takes you, from boardrooms to brunch tables to the moments that matter most.
Appearances
−
SUN, MAR 15
1:00 – 3:00 PM
In Person
Learn More
DC Junior League Headquarters
Georgetown
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
THU, MAR 19
6:00 – 8:00 PM
MM La Fleur
Georgetown
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
MON, MAR 23
6:30 – 8:30 PM
Barnes & Noble
Fairfax, VA
WED, MAR 25
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Fountain Bookstore
Richmond, VA
Explore Everyday Etiquette
Get Your Table Setting Illustration Today!
These are not resources shared online before. Simply preorder, enter your information below, and they’ll be sent directly to you.
A Thank You for Preordering
in Relationships, Work & Life
• A beautiful and practical formal table setting illustration from the book, designed as a timeless reference for hosting and attending formal meals
• A 35-minute prerecorded Manners Masterclass covering introductions and greetings, dress codes, the art of conversation, personal branding, professional networking, formal dining, graceful goodbyes, and the modern manners you need to know to shine in any social setting
As a thank you for preordering Was It Something I Said?, you’ll receive two complimentary gifts created exclusively for early readers:
CLAIM YOURS