Author Interview & Book Giveaway: Instructions for a Broken Heart by Kim Culbertson

Welcome to Author Kim Culbertson:

Kim Culbertson technically writes for teenagers, but there are some grown-ups who also like her work. Her first young adult novel Songs for a Teenage Nomad was published by Hip Pocket Press in June of 2007 and was reissued in fall of 2010 by Sourcebooks under their new young adult imprint FIRE. Songs for a Teenage Nomad won the 2008 Ben Franklin Award for Best New Voice in Children's/Young Adult Fiction, the silver 2008 IPPY medal for YA fiction, and several other awards. Kim’s second young adult novel Instructions for a Broken Heart was published by Sourcebooks Fire in May 2011.
When she's not writing for teenagers, she's teaching them, and has taught high school English, creative writing and drama for over ten years in both public and private schools. Currently, she works at Forest Charter School, a progressive personalized learning program. Throughout her teaching, she has also worked privately as a college advisor, workshop teacher, and educational consultant. Kim sees her writing as an extension of her teaching. She lives in the Northern California foothills with her husband and daughter where she loves her small town life and drinks more coffee than perhaps she should.
http://www.kimculbertson.com/

Interview:

If I was stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you bring with you?
I would bring coffee, books and my family. Not necessarily in that order.

What one book should everyone read? 
 The Alchemist

What super power would I have? 
 Zapping people who say mean things. Just a quick zap! so they get a little jolt every time something rotten comes out of their mouths.

My favorite breakfast? 
This is terrible: coffee and donuts. But I almost never eat that…

Night owl or early bird? 
 Definitely Night Owl.

Tell us about Instructions for a Broken Heart in one sentence? 
 Go to Italy with Jessa – escape, enjoy, reflect.

What is the most rewarding experience since being published? 
Seeing the look on my daughter’s face when the ARC of Instructions came in the mail. She said, “Mommy, it’s so pretty!”

What was my favorite book as a girl? 
Anything with a strong female lead who had been through tragedy and was finding her way in the world. Like Anne of Green Gables.

If I could live anywhere in the world? 
Where I live now.

Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
I am in all my characters.

What do I do in my free time? 
What’s free time?

How do I react to a bad review? 
I could lie and say they don’t bother me. But it always hurts when someone takes a shot at you. I’m learning to duck better.

Favorite season?
Fall

Favorite music? 
Anything with good lyrics.

In my wildest dreams, which author would I love to co-author a book with? 
My daughter

Instructions for a Broken Heart:

Three days before her drama club's trip to Italy, Jessa Gardner discovers her boyfriend in the costume barn with another girl. Jessa is left with a care package from her best friend titled "Top Twenty Reasons He's a Slimy Jerk Bastard," instructing her to do one un-Jessa-like thing each day of the trip. At turns hilarious and heartwrenching, Instructions for a Broken Heart paints a magical Italy in which Jessa learns she must figure out life-and romance-for herself.

Giveaway Details:
My once read review copy of Instructions for a Broken Heart
Open to US only
Ends 7/20/11

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