Testimonials

I've given up correcting everyone's grammar. It's a lost cause! But Autumn's book isn't about conforming to stodgy old rules, or refusing to accept a living language. it's about little tweaks you can make in your wording to make it pop. Her tips will make your writing more readable, powerful, and — most importantly — profitable.

If grammar intimidates you but you still want to write coherent, readable sentences, this is your book. It explains all the common usage mistakes and how to fix them. Autumn's book makes grammar seem fun, even funny; something no English teacher ever did. Sorry, Mrs. Rilling.

If there's one thing I didn't expect to get out of a book on copy editing, it's a laugh. In the past, editing copy has been more inclined to move me to tears—and not happy ones. With her sharp wit and flair for storytelling, Autumn has managed to take what for many people (like me) is a reviled task and make it... fun?! If you're expecting a dry, boring grammar manual, don't. Her examples are clear. Her stories are memorable. And her advice... totally sound. You'll smile all the way through, and leave with lessons that will make your work better.

Clear and concise. The way Autumn Tompkins takes me through the Labyrinth of Copy Editing, with humour-filled encounters, is sitting in English class without having to take a nap. She covers everything from tone to punctuations-and approves of swear words- if this is how you roll. Read it 4 times and I now understand the "whys and hows" of Copy Editing. This definitely improves my writing by 10x. Thank you, The Grumpy Grammarian.

The author is a master storyteller who uses her own (often hilarious) experiences to illustrate those common grammar problems that so many of us struggle with. I was disappointed to learn, though, that my favorite punctuation mark—the em dash—is one of the things that makes her grumpy. Oh, well. Live and learn. Seriously, definitely worth having on your bookshelf.

You know what makes me grumpy? When I realize there's just barely enough Nutella to spread on one piece of bread, let alone the two (or four) I was really hoping for. You know what doesn't make me grumpy? The Grumpy Grammarian's Guide to Copy Editing. Seriously. This book will not only make you NOT grumpy, it'll make you laugh, nod, cringe (because you realized you make some bad copy mistakes), and make you want to keep flipping the page for more humor-infused tips. The best part? You can zip through these lessons and get back to your regularly scheduled programs in a couple hours. Seriously. This woman educates while entertaining. And entertains while educating. Don't take my word for it, here's my favorite quote in the whole book: "Commit to using swear words in your copy to connect with readers. Just like I committed to being disabled. So I didn't have to shake a dirty man's hand." p.70

Autumn's no-bullshit editing and knowledge of ungoogleable questions has made her my grammar guru. She's half Hemingway App, half English professor, and half snarky friend from the bar. Yes, that's three halves, but that's how big she is. This book will make you a better writer.

This is NOT your grandmother's dusty old grammar guide. Autumn's insightful tips and off-the-wall anecdotes will help you write copy that keeps your readers entertained, your clients happy, and your wallet FAT.

I've always struggled with proper grammar. I know it when I see it, but never understood the “rules”. In school, people would explain grammar to me using jargon that made no sense. I love The Grumpy Grammarian's Guide to Copy Editing because Autumn uses real life, concrete examples instead of grammar jargon. She has a Sesame Street style of teaching that relies on repetition, so you learn copy editing intuitively. It’s more fun, a lot faster, and so much easier than memorizing rules. Before you know it, you become your own Grumpy Grammarian, sharing Autumn's tips everywhere and with everyone.