June Casagrande is a writer and journalist whose weekly grammar/humor column, “A Word, Please,” appears in community newspapers in California, Florida, and Texas. She is a former staff writer and editor for the Los Angeles Times' community news division and has written articles for other regional and national publications. She also writes scripts for television trailers. Her first book, “Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies,” uses humorous personal anecdotes and essays to deliver grammar lessons. Her second book, “Mortal Syntax: 101 Choices That Will Get You Clobbered by the Grammar Snobs -- Even If You’re Right,” uses this trademark style to explain some of the most vexing usage issues. “It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences” examines and teaches the mechanics of great writing. Came out in July of 2010. Casagrande was born in New York City, grew up in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg/Tampa area and now lives in Pasadena, Calif., with her husband and four cats.

Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies

A Guide to Language for Fun and Spite

What do suicidal pandas, doped-up rock stars, and a naked Pamela Anderson have in common? They’re all a heck of a lot more interesting than reading about predicate nominatives and hyphens. June Casagrande knows this and has invented a whole new twist on the grammar book. more

Mortal Syntax

Mortal Syntax takes on the 101 most frequently attacked usage choices. Dedicating one short chapter to each, Casagrande brings her subject to life, teaching English usage through lively and amusing personal anecdotes. more

It Was the Best of Sentences, It Was the Worst of Sentences

Your story may be brilliant. Your insights may be groundbreaking. Your characters may be so real you can almost touch them. But they're not worth a thing if you can't bring them to life in well-written sentences. more