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I have a special rule for this blog. That is never to talk about myself.
But today, I’ll make an exception.
Just to tell you a story.
My mom recently told me that cleaning up some old boxes, she ran accross an essay I had to write for school when I was 11. The question asked was: what do you want to be when you grow up?
My mom told me I had written the essay on how I wanted to be a doctor. And then she told me I finished the essay with a PS. The PS said “Well, that is if I don’t get to become a writer – which is what I really want to do.”
I had no recollection of this.
When I got a call the other day to tell me that I had just gotten a book deal for this blog, my first reaction was pure joy. Flowing. Along – a few minutes later – with tons of Champagne. Flowing too.
When I got over the hangover, I thought of that little story.
And I came to realize that the secret dream of the kid I used to be was becoming somewhat real. Just a little real.
But when it comes to childhood dreams, a little is a lot I think.
As you can imagine, I’m thrilled. The publisher is Berkley Books. The book will have a bunch of new exclusive material. I gotta get writing now! I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and everyone of you for your support and interest. This blog is turning out to be much more than I ever expected it would be. So merci – really.
I could not have done this without you.
O.
Tags: Blog- O Chateau, Book Deal, olivier magny, Paris, stories, Stuff Parisians Like
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Mandy… Thank you very much. Two-Belgium related posts already – hope I was not too far off
Nico… Is that you wasting time on the blog?
Caelle… Merci. C’est adorable.
Alice… If only.
Congratulations! I’ve greatly enjoyed reading your blog over the past couple years. What’s not to enjoy when writing is clever, interesting, and about French people? I also appreciate that you take the time to read and comment on the responses to your writing. Again, congratulations and good luck with your book.
Ahh I had some catching up to do and read this latest post filled with awesome news. Congratulations Olivier! I’ll be waiting for that book and wine tour.
Wonderful news for you, Olivier! And great news also for anyone who wants to be a writer — to keep at it — if you’re worthy, the right people will notice. It’s also so very sweet that your Mother kept those essays from your youth. It mattered to her. You mattered to her. And that’s part of the reason, maybe, that it’s happening now — because your Mother cared… She read your stuff and cared enough to save it… you were nurtured well. That’s so important. I’m happy for you! Now go treat yourself to some salted-butter-caramel ice cream, Berthillon style!
Congratulations!!! I will look for it. This is an amazing blog and you are an amazing writer!
Quelle putain de bonne nouvelle !!
Félicitations ! bien sûr !!
Congratulations, Olivier. Wonderful news, and I’m not a bit surprised — you deserve it if anybody does. Now, here’s some incentive to get writing as fast as you can: foreign girls just looove writers!
You’ll be living it up on that round-the-world book tour.
I was just recommending O Chateau today on a message board I participate in. I can get long-winded and obsessive when anyone asks about Paris, and one thing I always include is a suggestion that they attend one of your wine tastings. I always say, “Olivier is so cute and so smart and so funny that you will enjoy it even if you already know a lot about wine.”
Again, many, many congratulations. I knew you were destined for great things — you are an extraordinary person, as in, literally out-of-the-ordinary, and I’m glad to see you getting some recognition.
Congratulations! I enjoy the blog and would definitely be interested in more stories about what Parisians like (or don’t like). Best of luck with writing!
Christine…. Merci beaucoup. As per comments, c’est la moindre des choses!
Should be fun!!!
Jes…
Minette… I think we should all get a free allowance at Berthillon. It seems to be the #1 word used on this blog! Thank you for your encouraging thoughts.
Diane… Merci beaucoup. Amazing writer… let’s not push it!!
Ingo… Oui – c’est super. Thank you for your support.
Ellen… Wow! I must say I’m a bit overwhelemed with all these compliments. Thank you very much. Really. Ca me touche. Thank you too for supporting O Chateau: we need it!! As per the round the world book tour – well, I can only hope. But I’m very far from it. First need to write many more good articles. And then hope for the best (and work hard for it). As per foreign girls, well, I just need one really! Merci beaucoup Ellen. Hope you started drinking more wine after your tasting dans les caves.
Maiken… Merci beaucoup. I’ll do ny best not to disappoint. I will miss the comments though!
Congratulations!!! Fantastic news, you deserve it simply on the basis that every time I stop by and you have written something new it makes me laugh out loud, you have a great gift.
Besides I saw you on that TV Docu-thingy with Paul Merton in Paris last week, your dancing ain’t so hot… Good job you chose writing..
Ah, Olivier, sad to say I haven’t been drinking more wine, but only because I still have a non-existent social life. I did very much enjoy the couple of bottles I bought from you (actually Lionel, when I went back to get it the last night I was in Paris) with the friends I gave them to shortly after I got back. Alas, they live far away from me and I have no desire to drink alone, so I haven’t bothered to try and find good wines here. I will content myself with drinking them when I am in Paris, I guess.
And I was thinking after I wrote my comment last night that I predicted this for you — or at least, said you deserved to be rich and famous — do you remember? So you see I am prescient, or at least have very good taste.
Wow! Congratulations Olivier! I’m really excited for you! I love your blog, both for your insight and your great writing. Nothing like putting it to paper! You will keep us informed of your book signing at WH Smiths on the rue de Rivoli, won’t you?
The next big step then : after the first book, the success, and a worldwide esteem (that’s enough for a first book), Olivier will launch “le guide Magny des vins”.
Mister Parker, your vanilia like wines will no longer make it !
Can I just add to previous comments by stating that…we love you Olivier! Witty, debonair, stylishly attired, a really interesting dancer. If I weren’t married…But seriously, many congratulations, tres bien merite. If you need any ideas from the ‘hood for future posts,
I’ve got some dark, 92-based shit you can use.
Congratulations !
Je recommande souvent ce blog, je pourrai même recommander l’ouvrage !
Olivier!
Long time reader and first time commenter but I had to come out of the lurkers corner for a moment to add my congratulations to you! If your book hits Australia I will definitely buy it
PS- Do you plan on visiting any time soon?
wow! congratulations!
enjoy the moment, i shall look forward reading the book when it comes out.
Congrats! Can’t wait to find it in the bookstores
Jenny Claire… I don’t get it, I’m usually the white Usher!
Ellen… So you imply if I cut down on the wine, I might become prescient?? Oh, forget it, I’ll stick to wine! I’m liking a bit of unknown! Seriously though, thanks for that kind prediction but it’s very far from having come true. Veeeeeery far!!
Jt… Thank you very much for your enthusiasm. I will sure keep you guys posted about future developments.
Stephan… Was just in Montpellier today to talk at Vinisud. What’s up with the rain?! As per wine projects, I’ll keep you posted when good things happen. Hopefully soon!!
Arch… This is the page I’ll come back to whenever I’m down. This is my ego-boosting page. Thanks for your kind remarks from da hood though. PS – You looked like shit last night!
Rebecca… Merci beaucoup. Appreciate this. Might actually come to Australia in the coming months: my brother is moving to Sydney next week.
Jazzy… Merci beaucoup – yup, feels good!!
Pierre… Merci beaucoup!! Same here
Congratulations! Couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.
Congratulations!
Will you still be updating the site?
Olivier
I am afraid I brought it with me from Brussels… more seriously, weather has been fantastic lately… except a few days
Next time you pass by, send a message, I’ll be glad to meet you… same goes for me nxt time I am in Paris, la cité des Lumières !
Congratulations! The blog is great so I find your news almost no surprise at all!
Ouups Olivier
New web site, and a new face too :
http://www.o-chateau.com/about-us/our-sommeliers
Your team of sommeliers must be quite expensive
Good work for the site: neat, easy to surf in…
Stéphan
Condolences on not getting your first choice. Je déconne! Lucky world – we need some well considered good writers. One little plea – which may not please your legion fans on the other side of the pond: try not to be TOO American English. I love American English but think it somehow lessens the charm of what your write when there is more anglais US qu’anglais UK.BTW how small is this font? Bon courage!
Bloody hell, what about Australian English mate! Lets not forget the little guys
Guys! Apologies if some of your comments got lost during the migration to our new site. They should all be back on now (and in the right order)!!
Carole… Is it me or we’ve never met?!
As per the font, webmaster’s on it!
Vlr… Merci. Yes I will! You guys made this possible so I’m not going to forget about you!
Stephan… Yeah, I was just in Narbonne a few days ago and weather was gorgeous. I guess I just got unlucky!! But yes – I will!
Nicole… Merci. Well, I’ll be surprised for two then!
Stephan… I know right?! Talk about some sexy wine tastings!! Thanks for your compliments about the site. We put quite a lot of work in it. The SPL section will be improved. We need a cozy little place!!
Peter… Well, thank you very much for your continued support. Really. As per my English, I’ll try to keep that in mind, but truthfully, I’m most unable to write in proper British English. Plus problem with (British) English is that Americans don’t really understand it
Alice… Bloody oath! Heaps of ozzie phrases to stand for this arvo! Let’s hope this bodgy Frenchie blog will come good
But you can and you normally do: wonderfully! I suppose I was mostly thinking about this most recent post … Struth! Whatever you do don’t go Strine-ing it!
Our congratulations to you on the book! We look forward to reading it!
Too right she’ll come good mate. Just ‘ave a beer.
Pet-A, A-strine-ing its all it needs to become a bloody rippa book. Mark m’words son.
Wow, i’ve been gone too long.
I must be a terrible Aussie for what in the world is “A-strine-ing”? Heheh. And maaate.. it’s a “bee-ah”
Oh and internationals, especially the French always seem to prefer to live in or visit Sydney. Go a little further south, Melbourne is where it’s at!
Congrats ! I relly appreciate your blog, which is for me, a french girl leaving abroad, a trully delight. I come from la Province, at the opposite from la Capitale, and your blog is a good way for me to explain my friends here that what is parisian is not french
I am looking forward to have the real book in hands and offer it around. Let us know, and good recovering from hangover 
Tabarouette ! Félicitations !
Peter… Thank you. I guess this one post was just me talking in my normal voice. Won’t do it again
And I’m with Rebecca on this… lost me with your (A-)Strine-ing.
Chateau du Petit Thouars… Merci merci and welcome here!
Alice… Yeah, so I think I’ll stick to my non Ozzie English
Rebecca… St Kilda?!
Livordk… Thank you. And yes, thank God all of France is not Paris.As per the hangover… it just seems to keep coming back. Weird!
WendyRG… Tabarouette?! (cute) Merci beaucoup!!!
Congratulations Olivier on the book deal – I’ve just been catching up on your blog, and seen your good news. As a foreigner living in Paris I find your observations entertaining as well as somewhat educational in helping to understand the Parisian psyche! Keep up the good work.
Congratulations!! Your blog is terrific and I am looking forward to your book! Hopefully I will be able to take a wine class this year in Paris also!!
I think i need a bit of whatever you’ve been drinking Olivier. Your witty words are flowing like wine and your blog is my go to for when i need to get a smile on my dial
Congratulations.
Gunilla… Thank you very much. Will try not to disappoint in the future. Meanwhile, make sure you enjoy this gloriously sunny day.
KP Gallant… Merci beaucoup. I am looking forward to the book too but we’ll keep this blog alive. Need to read comments – they keep me going
Poulette…That is so very kind of you. Truth be told, I’ve been drinking a lot of a lot of things! Seriously though, I gotta get writing more seriously now; and I found myself quite tired yesterday after writing two articles in a row. Witty is so not natural for me!
Yeah, Olivier I guess St Kilda IS further south. Hehe.. I take it you’ve visited?
Oh Pu-lease! You should go back and read some of your first blogs (i’m sure you already have) but your writing has just, post by post, got so sharp and edited. You are a natural wit sir!
Rebecca… Yup! Sweet place!! Hot though!!
Poulette… I actually haven’t gone back to reading the old posts. Sort of dread it! No one was reading them at that point – so if my posts sucked, no one really cared!! Now there’s a bit more pressure on my frail shoulders. and it’s also much more fun to write when you know that some people are actually reading your stuff. But anyway – merci, I reckon, is in order.
Congratulations! I have been following this blog for some time and it never fails to entertain. I am very happy for you! (p.s. ~ I wanted to be an artist when I grew up and that’s just what I am
I have never post a comment but I follow this blog and look forward to your entries. I thought surely I must come out of ‘hiding’ to congratulate you on your book deal and thank you for the constant humour and creative posta that always make for delightful ready.
Congratulations Olivier, if anyone deserves this it’s you!
Very nice post,i absolutely love this blog
Bravo Olivier, c’est genial!! Et merite, j’adore te lire.
It is simple to see that you are passionate about your writing. Great job!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to see the book. Happy writing!
The Armchair Parisian… Merci beaucoup. And cheers to fulfilling dreams…
Wizzythestick… Thank you very much. Hope you don’t get burned out here.
Lindsey… Wow – well, thank you very much. I’ll try not to disappoint.
Steve… Merci!!
Don’t be so french… Oui, génial indeed. I’m quite excited. Merci merci.
Rachelle… Thank you very much. I’m understanding for the first time than writing could be an actual job. Well, it’ time-consuming enough at least!!