My editor and agent called me last night with some great news. On Sunday, August 17th, Waiter Rant: Thanks for the Tip – Confessions of a Cynical Waiter, will make the NY Times Bestseller List in Non Fiction.
I never, ever, thought that would happen! What a thrill! Thanks everybody!
I’m also in this weeks edition of People! My article’s right before the pics of Brad and Angelina. (Now that’s surreal!)
And to my patient readers – I’ll have a post up tomorrow!
Congratulations!!! 🙂
Well done! I hope this book makes you a million billion dollars!
Congratulations, that’s gotta be some of the coolest news you’ve gotten so far.
Congratulations! I just bought your book yesterday and read about 3/4 of it, and I do not read books often at all!
Enjoy this time. It’s precious.
Wow. Congratulations. You deserve it! I received your book in the mail but my son got to it first, so I now have to wait till he’s done reading.
Good to know there *is* justice in the world 🙂
Congratulations! You deserve the best! Loved the book by the way. 🙂
Congrats. When’s book 2 coming out? 😀
YAY!! And my mom has always said being bitter doesn’t pay…=)
What awesome news. Karma really works.
Congrats, Waiter!
Congrats!! Enjoy your success. Loved your book – finished it in 2 and half days. . .
Great news waiter! And you thought making it to MY front page was awesome (jk).
I hope you are just as successful unmasked as masked!
Congratulations. My copy of the book arrived last night. Can’t wait to read.
I picked up my copy today and plan to read most or all of it next weekend on a trip. I can’t wait!!
Many congratulations because you have much to be proud of! Keep the stories coming because you have a real talent that should be shared.
Sounds to me like more than 15 minutes of fame. Warhol was wrong.
Congratulations!
Off topic: Can anyone here link me to the following waiterrant post. Window table is free on Saturday night. Waiter doesn’t give it to someone phoning for a reservation due to rudeness. Z-list celebrity enters demanding the table. Waiter refuses, claiming that it’s reserved. Z-list demands to know who it’s reserved for. At that exact moment an oscar winning actor enters.
I’ve been searching through the site (using both the search function and the more manual approach) but can’t find it.
Thanks.
Way to go. I have enjoyed your writing ever since I stumbled upon it a couple of years ago.
Congrats! You deserve it!
Congrats! I am so happy for you!!!!!!!!
Congratulations once again! Hope you sell a zillion.
Wow again, Steve, way to go. I am so happy for you. I really hope that you will be able to keep writing. I’ve been hoping that you’d get to the NY Times Bestseller list, & you’ve done it. That is just so incredible & much deserved. Also, People magazine…. That must feel surreal!
Sweeeeet…and that’s with not all stores actually having your book in stock. I sniped at the Border’s people for it…gotta give a copy to all my son’s waiter-friends, after all.
It has finally happened for you! Much deserved!I wish you continued success. I often wonder what will be your next work? Any ideas so far?
Again, Congrats!
Bravo Sir!!! Well done.
Totally devoured your book last weekend, Waiter, while at a lovely home on the Rogue River in Southern Oregon. While friends were out on deck spraying rafters with a garden hose as they passed down river, I was inside curled up on the couch deeply engrossed in your life and adventures. I’m so excited for you and your new-found fame. No one deserves it more!
Congrats! You deserve it!
I was pleased to see your book was available at Audible.com, where I regularly purchase audiobooks. So now I can listen to your book and knit or sew at the same time.
Can’t wait to give your book a listen… thanks, Waiter, and congratulations!
WOW CONGRATULATIONS Waiter/Steve! It couldnt happen to a nicer, more deserving person. I really do get to say “Waiter, yeah I knew him way back when…” Much success hon!
So happy for you. I was one of the many who suggested you write a book; and I was correct. (It’s all about me!) What’s it like to emerge from the shadows? I bet you’ll find some interesting stories to post on the subject. Keep it up; can’t wait to see what you do in act II.
Wow, wow, wow! The NYT best seller list! You deserve it.
I can’t find the article on you on the People website. What should I click on?
Congrats indeed!
Found your blog by chance about seven months ago and since then devoured every post you wrote here. I’ll admit I was a little sad when you quit waiting, you always told a great story here.
just got my copy of the book in the mail today though and can’t wait to read it. Hoping there will be a sequel as well.
Congratulations again on the honor!
I’m almost finished reading it. I don’t want it to end! GREAT BOOK! and oh so true.
Thankgoodness my daughter-in law told me about your blog about a month ago,and i’ve read it non stop,your stories are everyday life,but you have a good heart and could see beyond your self,and found you could figure people out,or at least fine some reason for their awful behavier,when your over worked and underpayed it’s not easy sometimes.You took and made a great read out of everyday life and made it interesting,let alone sell. Congratulations ,and well done!
That is fabulous news! I had best secure that copy of People that I turned my nose up at!
Twins, schwins, I want to see your article/interview!
I’m so happy for you!! Congratulations:) Been a fan since 2005 and I can honestly say you deserve all that.
The WAITER gave me a book to read (“Waiting”) when I got my first job in the restaurant business in 2001 at The Bistro.
How fitting that he has his own best selling book about his experience in the world of food and beverage.
WAY TO GO BOLONI HEAD!!!!
I was pleasantly stunned to see you in People when I read it Tuesday! And, wondered if/when you would get to the Best Seller list – congrats!
Congratulations! Quite the celebrity now!
Congrats waiter! I got my copy on Monday (Borders was offering 40% for the rewards members). Unfortunately I’ve been stuck in training during the week, so haven’t had much of a chance to read, I’m only about 1/3rd of the way in. But I’m truly enjoying the read!
i havent seen your book yet ( i must get to barnes and nobles!!) but i did see the people and grabbed it, i cannot resist the pull of lil babies. I was thrilled to see your smiling face *before* the babies and had a blast reading the article. 😀
Bravo Waiter! I just got your book by the way, and I was captivated. I was afraid it would be just a recap of your blog, like another blog book I read. But no, it seemed much more than that. I think it deserves to be a best seller. 🙂 Conga-rats!
May you never have another ‘waiter nightmare’ 🙂
I spent my last few hard earned dollars on your book! I hope I can live on ramen for a few days – I’m sure the read will be worth it.
Congrats. I’m SO excited for you. You have absolutely given me hope – I have dreamed of being a successful writer for my entire life. YOU ARE MY HERO!
I went to pick up a couple copies at Borders Express to give to two of my favorite waitstaff at a local restaurant – “we sold out in two days.” Now this may not sound like a big deal, but given that my local BE is in a relatively tiny little rural city in the middle of nowhere, for them to sell out on a new book that is NOT Harry Potter is almost unheard of.
As if that isn’t impressive enough, two of the Borders in Ann Arbor (where University of Michigan is located – big college town) are also sold out and while the third is “likely in store” according to bordersstores.com, in my experience, “likely in store” usually means “don’t waste the trip.” Same goes for Toledo, the next closest city to me.
Word of mouth is an amazing thing! Personally, I’ve been giving the URL to this site to darn near every server who waits on us, and advising them to check out the book. I hope other fans are doing the same – you’ve given to us for years, nice that we can give something back for a change. 🙂
What wonderful news for you! I have enjoyed reading your blog like many others. I hope you enjoy heaps and heaps of success, you deserve it.
Congrats on your success. I bought the kindle version last week and my son who is a chef has confiscated it from me, so I’ll have to wait til he’s done. I can’t wait to read it.
I just bought your book yesterday morning, and have read every bit of it in two days. I have laughed until I cried. I waited tables and bartended for almost six years, and I can relate to every single story you’ve written. I think everyone who has waitied tables and everyone who hasn’t should read this book. It is fantastic. Thank you for sharing your stories!
Dude! That is so totally, totally awesome. As we say in the south, don’t go gittin the big head now.
CONGRATS! I’m going to order your book this week and I can’t wait!
huzzah for the waiter!
Dear Waiter,
I’ve been reading your blog for the last 2 years and have loved it. I am currently broke as a joke (I know you can relate). I spent the last three days going to Barns and Noble in my free time and read your book cover to cover. I wish I had the cash to buy it, and I suppose this comment constitutes itself as a verbal tip, But I loved the book. My favorite story was the one you told about the Valentines day couple. Your writing insires me to be a better person everyday.
Thank you so much for all the great writing,
Pete.
Already sold the fimrights???
Now your a shoe in to write another book! Your an author!
congratulations! it’s been a long time coming
you go waiter!
Your blog is great. Your book is great. Your identity is out in the open. Now hopefully something you’ve written about comes into your life…a woman who loves you and that you can love to share your days. More females will have a chance to see you for the great guy you are and not just through the limited role you had to play as you waited on tables. There should be many interesting days ahead.
I read the book in about 3 hours – amazing. I couldn’t put it down.
I also cannot find the article on the People website. Anyone find it?
Congratulations, Waiter!!! I knew it would happen.
And, I’ll be buying a copy of PEOPLE for the first time in I don’t remember!
I’m reading your book slowly, in small bites, like tapas. So I can savor it!
Whoda thunk it? Congrats Boloni Head (blame Kaitilin). You do not realize how many lives you have touched. I have been reading your blog for almost four years and I have gone through all your ups and downs with you (while going through my own). The way you handled many difficult situations with compassion & dignity, I am sure, has inspired many people who have read your stories to do the same. You have shown many that there is always a high road to any situation. You have shown us that the world really revolves around the common folks we meet every day, and that we should appreciate them. The Lord has truly blessed you for the insights you have given others. I, and all your readers, think that is what He would like you to continue to do. Mean while bask in that glorious limelight. You’ve earned it.
lol—That would indeed be surreal! You definitely deserve it, though. It’s a fantastic book.
Massive congratulations are in order, as you’ve officially hit the big time!
And thanks are in order as well. You’ve taken the faceless masses in the FOH and put us all in the consciousness of the public. I have a lot of respect for that.
congrats waiter!!! im so proud. im in london and want to buy your book before i get back to LA. can i?
Congratulations Waiter,
My local (Canadian) bookstore quickly sold out of the 12 copies they had originally ordered in, so I am not surprised to hear it. As a 15 year veteran of the service industry (I retired from waiter butt at the relatively young age of 32) I have enjoyed both your blog and the book immensely. I am amazed that you have kept the blog up and running (albeit with more sporadic entries) through this whole process. Many thanks for that, and best wishes for the future. May this book be the first of many successes.
I bought the book for my waitress friend’s birthday, but thought it sounded so great that I had to read it before it giving it to her. Perhaps that’s tacky, but I don’t particularly care, because I absolutely loved the book. I can’t wait for her to read it and cry out in recognition every few pages.
also, sunday august 17th just happens to be my birthday. what a great present!
Congratulations! I’m so happy for you!
That’s FREEKIN AWESOME Waiter! CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
congrats Waiter! I just finished the book – it’s great. =)
So happy for you!!! 🙂
Congrats Waiter ! You deserve it , you writing keeps us entertained.
Are you TRYING to make me hate you?
(Note to self — write faster on short story collection.)
~C~
You’ve give us so much pleasure over the years. I hope our comments and praise give you the same. (Verbal tip!) Huzzah!!
Awesome!
Let’s hope that being a bestseller (what a pickup line for the ladies!) translates in never having to wait tables again…unless you’re looking for new writing material, and not because you need to make rent.
Congrats!
YES!!! I was so hoping that would happen for you! Well done, 🙂
Me next! Me next! Oh, please, please, please, please…..
Nice!
Congratulations! I stopped by B&N today to pick up a copy and I grabbed the last one in sight. Lucky me 🙂
Congrats Waiter.
Enjoy your celeb.
Just received your book two days ago (I pre-bought it on Amazon, ages ago), I’m nearly done. Great Book Waiter!!! 10 thumbs up! =)
Waiter…AKA Steve….So happy for your ever waited fame….Congrats…..I have not had a chance to read the book yet, but it will happen soon…I have been reading your blogs for 3 years or so and I can so relate……I think that the hard to deal with patrons are such the challange! When they come in mean and GRUMPY it puts a bigger smile on my face because I know when they leave I will have WON….because I have changed their day…….for the better…..
congrats man, Honestly ive never posted a comment here but been a reader for a year and a half. bought your book 2 days ago here in canada and I love it (actually took me a week and a half to even find it! was afraid id have to order it in). Anyway man great read and it gives hope for guys like me who are self taught writers who do it as a hobby. I dont plan on ever being published but even online readers would be great. anyway your an inspiration and a hero man. Congrats and hopefully this can be your solid career 😀
Steve…….By the way…If you need new and FUNNY input for your next book…..I along with others could for sure fill many chapters…. if not a number 3 BEST SELLER……
“I never, ever, thought that would happen!”
Whereas we saw it coming a mile off. 🙂 It’s good writing and you deserve the attention – enjoy every bit of it!
I finally decided to slam my money down for your new book, just on the principle that I must support the blog that I’ve frequented for 2.5 years. It was an enjoyable read. I felt terrible to learn the events on your last day at the Bistro. Your being rich and famous will be well-deserved. I’m definitely in agreement with a 2nd book that contains some of your best posts, such as Baby Bucks and Miracle Pizza, just to name a few! Although we can read these posts for free online, it would be a real treat to have these treasured passages in a handy collection.
Just remember that I was your groupie long before the book came out!
Congratulations! I’ve been reading for over a year and am so encouraged at your success 🙂 I cant wait to read your book!
http://charlotte-faulkner.blogspot.com/
no ‘people’ here, so is it possible to link up sometime to the article?
BTW: Anon, have been looking for ages for that particular post as well… It’s like getting lost in an old city: you know there’s this really cute place that you once stumbled across, and now you can never find it 🙁 I guess the key is to stop looking? 😉
congratulations…
a simple query – is this book going to be released in India?
Congratulations! Now I need to get my copy.
I am so happy and excited for you. Wow, honey, your flyin high!
Congratulations, that’s great news.
I’m still waiting for the book to hit Australian shores, but according to some places it’ll be released on the 31st. I’m patiently waiting for that day haha.
Great blog, and great book I’m sure.
Congratulations! More power! More success!
Congratulations. I bought your book. Half done. You earned my money because you proved you could entertain me. On a regular basis. For years.
Lots of struggle in your life, but with talent and hard work, you made it. Having a passion for something positive, like writing great stories about your incisive observations, is a reward in itself. You knew it was good — your blog hit count showed it.
But sometimes, you get the bigger prize. Like that opera singer you mention in the book.
AWESOME! I’m so pleased for you waiter 🙂 Sorry, I know you’re unmasked now but you’ll always be waiter to me 😛
Simply tremendous, and an incredible testament not only to your phenomenal talent. I’m almost through the book, and I don’t want it to be over. Keep it up!
I just read The Journal News article where they “outed” The Bistro. I always had a feeling that you were in the Rockland area…just something about the way you described the locale.
I’ve lived in the area for almost 50 years and eaten in just about all the restaurants in Nyack. Oddly, though, I did not eat at the establishment mentioned during the period you worked there. But maybe we’ve run into each other at The River Club bar.
Congratulations on making the NYT Bestseller List! Maybe next time they eat out, some of those Do-You-Know-Who-I-Am?’s will change their tune a bit lest they see themselves caricatured in print, AGAIN.
Congrats! I’ve been a big fan of yours for a while and I am glad to see everything is working out!
Congratulations, Waiter! Things are happening so fast! Enjoy this time!
Hey, congradufuckinglations!.
But I still wanna know what you did in my hometown, KC.
WOW!!! Congrats to you!
Congratulations! I just bought my copy yesterday and stayed up all night to read it. What a wonderful book, I enjoyed every page of it.
I got the book yesterday and am really enjoying it. Gives me a good excuse not to do housework.
I checked out the Waiter Rant blog – what a bunch of garbage.
I still have not gotten the book but if it is anything like the blog I would
just dismiss it out of hand to anyone who mentions it as the ravings of a
disgruntled waiter /psychiatric worker and has no merit whatsoever and should be
ignored. The real question in any action against this person would be a
measure of damages. Hopefully no one will ever hire him again as a waiter
because of the garbage
Kathy, you’re entitled to your opinion but, judging from the reactions to Steve’s book in the press and in the comments section, your opinion in the minority!
whoot.
Congratulations Waiter on all that is happening for you and the success with the book. No one deserves it more. Have a good on. 🙂
Congratulations Waiter! 🙂
Kathyrw must have realised that she was one of a**hole customers that the waiter had to wait on and feels she needs to continue with her a**holiness. Bi*ch
Congrats!! I’m so happy for you and all the success you’re having.
In response to post 101. – kathyrw
What you may dismiss as ravings and garbage is quite simply the expression of a man who like many works hard and in return had to take it on the chin from the people he served and those he worked alongside. I would wager that you are among the ranks of the A–holes that could care less your Waiter or any other Human being no matter. Were you angry when you made your post for this blog? Good! Steve strikes again!!! Mind you , I am not in the least trying to persuade you to like this blog or the book. That which I think you should be informed of that you probably wont ever understand Steve or his book. That is what makes you an A–hole and Steve a future best selling author.
Yay!
Congratulations!!
Hey Waiter. Just ordered your book, so you are going up a bit on the charts 😉
Anyway, I love the Blog, and since I started reading it changed the way I behave in restaurants.
I tried to become one of those ‘well-tipping regulars’ and guess what? It works! Grab a table at short notice, good tables by the window, never crammed into corners… I started to actually pay for the good service I expected and I got good service!
kathyrw you’re a cow.
That is all.
Wow!
You could never have guessed in a million years that the first rant in your blog would lead you to this point! Good for you!
*WOW* – Congratulations. I’m proud to have the first copy you signed (for someone other than a TV camera) in NY last week. The book was a great read – I polished off most of it on the train ride home.
For at least partially selfish reasons, I hope that this is the first of many!
Again , congrats,
-lr
Congrats Waiter! I could not wait any longer and found your book in the food section of Borders books. You need to visit Louisville, Ky. to get a Hot Brown sandwich and sign my copy of your book. I have been a fan for several years and I miss your humor making my day a little better with some laughter. Travel safe! P.S. I work at a local T.V. station and can get you on our morning show if come this way.
I rarely ever read books, but I read your book in 7 hours straight, couldn’t put it down. congrats on the success, as a waiter myself, I can say that it is well deserved!
i think who read this blog are a group of Loser
Is Fluvio leaving comments again?
At least we can speak english and aren’t afraid to post under our names.
Rock….just heard the news…WOW!!…moving up the amazon book listing…getting the word you will be on NY Bestsellers listing…live interview on Today {by the way..great interview..laughed and enjoyed}….AMAZING!!…glad to see an old friend doing well…wishing you all the best …see you at the next card game.
Congratulations! You deserve it.
wow Suzanne, way to be an intolerant bitch.
Hey Suzanne, is your comment about speaking english a veiled insult about Australians? I thought we left this behind when Petey, Lewie and all those other num-nuts stopped posting a while ago…
Go Waiter
Anon, the closest entry I can find to what you’re looking for is October 2004
http://waiterrant.net/?m=200410
Doesnt hve the Oscar winner bit though
Hey Steve,
i know im long way down the list of praise and adoration (all well deserved). however, i was sadden when i went to my Borders(in a large metro ATL area) the morning of the release day, only to not see the book anywhere in sight! i kindly asked one of the workers there if they had any in stock and just hadnt had time to set it up yet. Her reply was very kind, but she said she hadnt heard about it and they didnt have any ordered =(((… BUT she was super cool to offer to order a copy and save it just for ME!!… i also recommended her to read it as she could most definately relate to most things in it….. So, long story short i patiently waited 8 long grueling days before i finally got a phone call from Borders telling me my book order has arrived…. been enjoying it immensely since!!!
oh and Boloni Head!…. thats just great!!! *cracking up hard laughing*
I purchased mine the minute they went up for sale on pre-order at Amazon. I am SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!
And you look TOTALLY different than I thought you would (I thought you were much, much older.) 😀
Drink it in. You deserve it! 😀
steve
from the “Bistro”. a huge congratulations. Patrick wishes you all the best
STILL LAUGHING OUT LOUD
AKA luis
You made it! Congrats!
Congratulations! You are my inspiration — a gifted writer crafting insightful and entertaining stories from what might ordinarily be a chronicle of daily drudgery.
CONGRATULATIONS!!
LOL !!!! The day after your plane trip one of the major news sites(Fox,I think)posted a story of how the FAA is investigating numerous airlines for sending out flights with “marginal” fuel levels. Timing is everything!
Congrats! I can’t wait to dig into your book(probably on a long flight).
Enjoy your fame!!
just so you know, your 15 minutes are up. you’ve been bumped off the People website by the John Edwards “scandal”. BTW, according to People and Kos, he fessed up with his wife back in 2006. Therefore it’s nobodys business.
Congratulations!!!
I am very proud and happy for you.
You’re a great success!
Debbie Gibson
How cool is that? This is like watching Cinderella finally get the prince. I am greatly enjoying watching all your success!! Huge congrats!
Woohoo waiter! I cant seem to think of u by ur real name… 🙂 Way to go!
Holy shit you really blew up all over the place.
I know I’m a few months late, but congrats. 🙂
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