June 2, 2006
Book Update, Part V: Done!

I am very pleased to announce that as of yesterday, 9:07 pm, the manuscript of my book has officially left my hands, landing just a few seconds later on my editor's desk, 3,635 miles away. The moment I hit "send", my heart thumping audibly, I drew a deep breath, climbed down from the bar stool on which I was sitting, and walked to the fridge to retrieve the bottle of pink champagne that had been chilled for the occasion. A pop, a toast, a sip, a kiss -- I believe there may have been a few giggles on my part, too, and perhaps a little happy dance.
Once enough champagne had been consumed to duly mark the event and the hunger pangs became more and more difficult to ignore, we walked out into the pouring rain to have dinner at Casa Olympe, which, in passing, I warmly recommend. What better way to celebrate than with a scampi broth followed by crispy veal sweetbreads, especially when Jean-Paul Gaultier happens to be sitting across the tiny room from you?
Of course, I am now anxiously awaiting the comments and edits on the manuscript, but today is a beautiful day, I feel like I'm on vacation, and I intend to spend the afternoon -- the next week even -- basking in the sunlight of the terrace across the street.
And for those of you who may be wondering, the book is scheduled for US publication on May 1, 2007.
(Casa Olympe - 48 rue Saint-Georges - 75009 Paris - 01 42 85 26 01)
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Congratulations !
Ah yes, the supreme pleasure ... and relief ... of a milestone. Bravo!
Many congrats! I've been following your progress keenly and you must be so pleased - such a lovely achievement. I look forward to publication day.
My heart is thumping too---I'm so happy for you! Congrats on getting it done. I can't wait to read it. XO, Adam
congratulations on the completion of many hard hours (days, weeks, months!) of effort!
now i know what i will be asking for my next birthday (which falls on the second of may, how convenient!). i cannot wait to see your beautiful book. :)
Bravissima !!! Congratulations !!! The best is to come...
Congratulations!
Congratulations!
hooray! how wonderful!
Congratulations, Clotilde! Can hardly wait to read your book. What an amazing accomplishment!
that's great news! what would your book be called? =D
Clotilde
Congratulations on finishing your manuscript.
I have my own fiction book project (takes place in the restaurant world) gathering dust right now.
Have a good day
Looking forward to meet you when book is published.
Serge
Biz:
http://www.njconcierges.com
Blog:
http://www.sergetheconcierge.com
Congratulations! Can't wait to have C and Z on my bookshelf.
F E L I C I T A T I O N S ! ! !
J'attends votre livre avec impatience...
Bravo !
I am so happy for you, Clotilde. You have worked very hard to make this dream come true. I know you will enjoy having a little more of your life to enjoy. Scampi brother and sweetbreads - indeed. An excellent way to celebrate.
Congrats!
Congratulations on all your hard work! Looking forward to the book!
http://www.analisfirstamendment.blogspot.com/
Congratulations Clotilde!!! I've gotten a lot of inspiration from your story of quitting your day job to pursue food writing. I can't wait for your book to come out! Yay!
woohoo!!! Congratulations. Cannot wait to add this to my collection.
bravissimo!
How wonderful! I can feel the happy dance vibrations all the way across the world! Can't wait to check it out.
Congrats ! You must be so happy. can't wait to see it. Enjoy your vacations.
Felicitations! Can't wait to read it :).
Congratulations are indeed at hand! Finished just in time for the Summer to really start! Enjoy your holiday!!!
Well judging from the slew of congratulatory remarks here your book should be an unparalled success! I too, add my congratulations. Celebrations are so much better in large groups so I will be sure to pop open some champagne when I return home tonight to join you. Well... err... okay, maybe I just want an excuse to drink champagne. Cheers!
Congratulations!
The combination of your eloquent writing and impeccable taste in food I am sure you are about to be a wild sucess!
Wow! That's fantastic! Cheers!
I can't wait till it's available here!
Congratulations!
I don't envy you the year waiting for the first real copy in your hands.
I already have more than a few friends interested in the book.
Heather
Clotilde, congratulations on finishing your book. What a huge accomplishment! I can only imagine how relieved you are to have finally reached this point. I wish you all the best with whatever comes your way next my friend--you deserve it!
I'm so happy for you! I've followed your website for years now and I can't wait for the book. It will be the gift I give to many friends and family:)
Congratulations! I know I'm not alone in saying I can't wait to read it.
Felicitations! Now I know what everyone will be getting for birthdays and Christmas in 2007! What a marvelous accomplishment in your new career!
How wonderful!!!! While I completely understand that you worked long & hard before you were offered a book contract, still, you deserve special kudos for completing your ms. this swiftly. Impressive, indeed. Now, you have a full year to find the right shoes, clothes, etc. for the book tour! Cheers!
Congratulations, Clotilde. We all know how hard you worked on this and we all eagerly await the book's release!
You've already made the blogger community proud!
Just giving a cheer and adding my name to the list of future new cookbook owners! How can we wait that long? You sure must be proud of a huge accomplishment!
Auguri, Clothilde!
Bravo ! J'ai hâte de l'avoir entre les mains !
Well done Clotilde. What an exciting moment.
Brava Clotilde, may the Fork be with you!
Félicitations Clotilde!!
A thousand congratulations! I'm so happy for you! Derrick and I look forward to buying copies next May for ourselves and for gifts. Hooray! :-)
Félicitations!!
Bravo Clotilde !
Funny. I had this post waiting on my computer screen and at the very same time, we were dining at the Homme Tranquille, and Antoine - who was rightly proud also, but for a very different reason - also told us that your book was almost over !
Congratulations, indeed, Clotilde! Here's looking forward to a grand literary success.
Years from now, when you're in the culinary pantheon, those of us who have followed your blog ("bloglings," maybe?) will be able to say "We knew you when..."
Oh, congratulations! I can't wait until it's published.
xo from Urbana, Illinois
Yeah! Party time, whoo-hoo, cheers, rah! You did it - congratulations!
There are so many of us who will have a hard time waiting to put you on the NYTimes best seller list.
How are we going to be able to wait until May 2007?
Congratulations!
there is a space on my bookshelf for you already: thank goodness i'll still have to blog to read while i wait! well done.
Hurrah! I'm crossing my fingers that the Australian release date won't be too long after the American one... oh, what am I saying, I know I'll just order it from overseas anyway.
Cangratulations, and thanks for giving me something to look forward to throughout the next year of exams and essays!
Do you plan a french release?
If you need, I know a great translator, Patrick Dusoulier. His work on Jack Vance and Ursula L Guin is impressive.
:))
That's so exciting! Me & my tastebuds can't wait.
Congratulations, Clotilde, that's fantastic news. Enjoy your free time, you have well and truly earned it!
Best wishes from Down Under. You could pay us a visit for the book launch here. ;))
Yes! But when does the book tour begin? I can hardy wait to see you at a signing in Los Angeles!
Well done clotilde!!! I can't wait to see your book and try the recipes!!!
bravo
marie
Toutes mes félicitations Clotilde !
Congratulations! What a happy day for you :)
Wishing you much success.
I know I will be buying your book, as I have enjoyed your site immensly and your receipes are fantastic!
Louisa
YEY!!
Well done Clotilde! Looks like the first edition has to be a large amount, or maybe you'll need a reprint right away? For me it'll be my gift to 'everyone'who gets a gift in 2007 :-)
Congratulations!
Congradulations/Felicitations!...I hope spring gets here soon...so you can enjoy your new-found freedom (unless you're already hard at work on the next one.)
Looking forward to toasting your success.
Congratulations, Clotilde! With the huge fan club you have, the book is bound to be a great success!
Dear all,
Thank you so much for your kind words, they are truly heartwarming!
Clotilde.
Many many congratulations Clotilde! Your hard work and perseverance is so inspiring. I am looking forward to the release of your book!
Hello Clotilde,
Congratulations on finishing your book!!!
I was just at the markets here in Sydney, Aus and struck up a conversation with a woman who asked me about my food blog, as I had just started one. She then proceeded speaking glowingly about a certain Parisian blog, which she admits is the only one she has ever read. I told her about your book and she is happilly anticipating its release!!
So thanks to you I got some free apple and cinnamon madeleines!!!
Congratulations, Clotilde! There's nothing like the satisfaction of putting your all into a project and seeing it through to its completion! Now enjoy your "vacation" - you deserve it!
Well done!!! Congratulations!!
Just adding congrats...such a well earned bottle of champagne. Maybe Gauletier will give you a blurb!
What an exciting moment! What wonderful closure, and opening at once to have the manuscript leave your hands.
Congratulations! It is most definitely on my purchase list. I love your site.
Mazeltov! Your fans online will be on line! We have to wait HOW long?? (It will be called "Chocolate & Zucchini" ?)
gingerpale
Forgot to ask how long it will be before you get to see a galley proof? When you do, I hope it surprises and delights you!
So happy for you . . . now I know what I am getting everyone for Christmas next year! We'll celebrate for you.
An interesting coincidence ? -- June 3 is St. Clotilde's Day (Queen of France & a saint too!)
Many congratulations, Clotilde! I cannot wait for publication.
I can't wait for the book! Congrats!
Félicitations Clotilde! Maintenant nous comptons les jours jusqu'à mai prochain et à la naissance de votre livre.
Bravo Clothilde, we can't wait to get the book in Amsterdam.
Cuno
http://www.wijnsuggestie.nl
Clotilde, Congratulations!! I am looking forward to purchasing your book. You have been a wonderful source of inspiration. ; o)
Félicitations! Quel soulagement et plaisir du travail accompli ce doit être!
Chere Clotilde, I happened to peek into your blog today, just to see if you were indeed done with your manuscriptmy instincts were right! Savor this moment, as there is nothing like the experience of a first book, with all its soaring highs (and occasional lows). I know you'll do many others!
What a fete! Congratulations on your tenacity & your accomplishment. How wonderful. Looking forward to acquiring a signed copy!
How wonderful! Congradulations. I hope this will bring you back to NYC in the near future.
Congratulations! I will look forward to picking up a copy on my birthday next year! :-) (May 1) I just discovered your blog recently and look forward to reading many more delicious posts!
Félicitations Clotilde ! J"attends votre livre avec impatience and can"t wait for your stop in Canada on the book tour. :)
Congratulations. I cannot wait get my own copy of your cook book.
congratulations! can't wait to purchase a copy!
Congratulations!!! What an accomplishment. You should be proud of yourself.
Clothilde, I know you have 84 warm congratulations already, but here's one more: HOORAY!
A salute to you, Clotilde! That's some accomplishment - all the best for a smooth delivery!
Theresa
CONGRATULATIONS CLOTILDE!!!
I can't wait to get a copy!
Felicitations! And I thought I was a champagne-o-holic... What a wonderful journey you are on, and than you for taking us along for the inspiring ride.
Heartfelt congratulations to you. I've marked my 2007 calendar already.
J'ajoute mes Félicitations à cette longue liste!
Fingers crossed!
Wow, Clotilde. Congratulations. This is such a big moment for you. And an equally big inspiration for us! Thanks for sharing along the way. All my best.
Congratulations ! That's so great ! Now would you please get away from that laptop and enjoy your vacation ? We don't need no petit beurre recipe right now ! We can wait one more week ! The local terrace, a nice mojito and a pair of really cool sunglasses sounds like a better plan to me :)
Profites-en bien
Congratulations! i guess we Ozzie's will have to order it via Amazon.com .. but it'll be worth it!
HIGH 5 Clotilde! Very happy for you. I'm looking forward to something I can hold in my hands :)
Carolg
Congratulations! you must be so glad to have it done and send off...I hope everything goes to plan from now, you can do lots of nice other cooking/bloggin projects and then we can see the book next year :-) Best wishes
Eva
That's wonderful news, Clotilde. My heartfelt congratulations on this amazing achievement!!!
That's a long wait till May, 2007, but worth waiting for ...:):)
Like so many others, I'm creating a special place on my bookshelf for this one, chére Clotilde. Somewhere between the Laurie Colwin books and the Ruth Reichl and the MFK Fisher. I know I'm impatient, but it just seems as if almost a year is so long to have to wait...
I for one shall definitely buy it once it's finally available. And I'm sure many others commenting here will too. Congratulations, and here's looking forward to it's publications and well-deserved success.
Congratulations Clotilde! I can't wait to pre-order it from Amazon
Congratulations mille fois, Clotilde! What an enormous accomplishment! I can't wait to get my hands on a copy...
Congratulations and keep poping champagne bottles!
BRAVO! Je tiens à te redire à quel point c'est merveilleux de pouvoir suivre ton cheminement vers la publication de ce premier livre de recettes, sur lequel je compte d'ailleurs mettre la main dès qu'il paraîtra! Au plaisir de lire la suite...
Hello Clotilde, and a big congratulations to you! I've been reading your blog from time to time (when I began I nearly named my blog by the same two ingredients!), and it really is lovely to follow. Thanks for all the eye candy. Looking forward to the US release of your book!
Bravo Clotilde :) Je pensais à toi justement ces derniers temps : j'ai hâte de tenir un exemplaire entre mes mains !
Wow, many congratulations Clotilde!! What an amazing fea(s)t!! And Casa Olympe, one of my favorites. I had a duck with spices there a few year ago which was possibly the best duck I have ever had. Hope to see you in Paris in Sept/Oct?? Best, Owen
Haven't got a chance to read the book, but I guess it should selling very well. May be till next release...
http://chocorecipes.blogspot.com