Today we’ve got the mind behind The Break-Up artist on the blog for an interview where we learn a bit more about this fun novel, and then there are some fab prizes to win! Haven’t heard of The Break-Up Artist yet? Have a look:
The Break-Up Artist by Philip Siegel
Published by Harlequin Teen on April 29th 2014
Genres: Contemporary, YA
Buy on Amazon
Goodreads
Some sixteen-year-olds babysit for extra cash. Some work at the Gap. Becca Williamson breaks up couples.
After watching her sister get left at the altar, Becca knows the true damage that comes when people utter the dreaded L-word. For just $100 via paypal, she can trick and manipulate any couple into smithereens. With relationship zombies overrunning her school, and treating single girls like second class citizens, business is unfortunately booming. Even her best friend Val has resorted to outright lies to snag a boyfriend.
One night, she receives a mysterious offer to break up the homecoming king and queen, the one zombie couple to rule them all: Steve and Huxley. They are a JFK and Jackie O in training, masters of sweeping faux-mantic gestures, but if Becca can split them up, then school will be safe again for singletons. To succeed, she'll have to plan her most elaborate scheme to date and wiggle her way back into her former BFF Huxley’s life – not to mention start a few rumors, sabotage some cell phones, break into a car, and fend off the inappropriate feelings she’s having about Val’s new boyfriend. All while avoiding a past victim out to expose her true identity.
No one said being the Break-Up Artist was easy
Interview with Philip Siegel
Let’s start by describing your book in a tweet (140 characters or less)
Girl runs business breaking up couples at her school.
This break-up artist premise is pretty intriguing, where the idea come from?
I had some friends who were in unhealthy relationships a few years back. People change when they get into relationship, and mostly it’s for the better, but not always. It’s a tricky situation, because you want to say something, but doing so can risk harming your friendship. It got me wishing for someone who could go in and break up these couples. Enter The Break-Up Artist.
What was the hardest part of writing this book?
Going from the 2nd to 3rd draft. It’s one thing to revise a first draft. There are so many problems that need to be fixed. But taking a book from good to great is so difficult. When I read through the 2nd draft, it read fine. It read like a book with a complete story. But I knew it could be – and had to be – better. Taking apart something that already works and trying to improve it was tough, but ultimately rewarding.
What was your happiest moment during this whole writing/publishing a book process?
Knowing that people that I’ve never met who live in countries I have never visited are reading and enjoying my book. My book is traveling to places I could only dream of going to one day.
Who are some of your favorite fictional couples?
Bianca and Wesley from THE DUFF and Julia and Jason from MEANT TO BE. I love couples that spar!
Tell us some fun facts about yourself!
I was once an NBC page where I worked at The Tonight Show, gave tours of the NBC backlot, and was in charge of taking audience members at the Ellen show to the bathroom.
Thanks so much for dropping by my little space on the interwebs today! 🙂
About the Author
Philip Siegel grew up in New Jersey, which he insists is much nicer than certain TV shows would have you believe. He graduated from Northwestern University and promptly moved out to Los Angeles, where he became an NBC page. He likes to think that the character of Kenneth on 30 Rock is loosely based on his life rights. Currently, he works in downtown Chicago by day while he writes novels at night and during his commute sandwiched in between colorful characters on the El. THE BREAK-UP ARTIST is his first novel.
This post is part of The Break-Up Artist blog tour.
Monday April 28 – Bumbles and Fairy Tales – Guest Post
Wednesday April 30 – Reading Teen – Guest Post
Friday May 2 – Scott Reads It – Guest Post
Monday May 5 – Miss Page Turners City of Books -Author Interview
Wednesday May 7 – Xpresso Reads Author Interview
Friday May 9 – Me, My Shelf and I Guest Post
Giveaways
Thanks to Harlequin Teen and Kismet Book Tours, you can enter to win a copy of The Break-Up Artist on each stop. There is also a HarlequinTEEN Goodie Bag giveaway; all entries into the daily giveaways on each tour stop count towards this grand prize!
- Open to US and Canada only
- Full contest terms and conditions found on Rafflecopter
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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