

Authors must be registered by
April 1, 2025 to be considered for a panel.
January 13, 2025
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Bouchercon New Orleans!
New Orleans is a city that's known for its history and its resilience. Bouchercon and its Local Operating Committee (LOC) for the New Orleans 2025 convention are aware of the New Year's Bourbon Street attack and are keeping the victims and their families in our thoughts. Our newsletter below talks about the ample opportunities you'll find to visit and experience New Orleans and its vibrant culture.
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Well, of course, this is a convention and we’re hoping we fill it with wonderful workshops that put us all together and gives us the wonderful sense of community that I love so much about this convention—and, of course, all kinds of useful knowledge and ideas.
But . . .
It’s New Orleans!
So, of course, we’re hoping you’ll have a bit of extra time to see some of the wonders of this city.
I am not from New Orleans. I grew up in Miami, Florida. But when I was about six, I was on a business trip with my dad. Now, some people have asked me with horror if my dad took a six-year-old cruising down Bourbon Street.
No.
I just fell in love with the amazing architecture and atmosphere, the haunting “Cities of the Dead,” or cemeteries, the history and stories, the zoo, the museums on Jackson Square, the music and musicians playing here, there, and everywhere in the streets.
Well, we’re starting off at the World War II Museum, comparatively new to the area, but world class. But that leaves many, many things to see and do, depending on your interests and tastes.
The Audubon Aquarium of the Americas opened in 1990. For those who love aquariums, it’s a great one. It’s also walking distance from our Marriott hotel, just down the street. Um, hm. Careful—not too far from Harrah’s/Caesars!
We’ll be offering tours, but timing may not work for you. I personally love Haunted History, but many groups in the city are wonderful. You can walk, you can ride—one bus will take you through St. Louis Cemetery at night. Of course, the city is famous for voodoo and there is a voodoo museum. There are also those who seriously practice voodoo, and in a way, it’s similar to the practice of wicca or witchcraft—a true practitioner would never hurt anyone. Any evil done comes back on the doer threefold!
A love of mine is the Musee Conti Wax Museum—it offers a great look at the city’s history and more. Also in the French Quarter, a fun walk with all kinds of things along the way.
The Audubon Zoo is not walking distance, but you can grab a streetcar. It’s featured in a film with the late, great David Bowie, Cat People! Those with kids (or without) might enjoy a little break out that way!
There’s the Steamboat Natchez! You can head out on the great Mississippi! (One of the roughest waterways I’ve ever been on if a storm is approaching!
One of the most charming possibilities is a carriage ride. Easy to pick up right in front of Jackson Square, where, of course, you can see the giant statue of . . . Andrew Jackson! Also, right there you’re across the street from the famous Café du Monde, known as one of the best people-watching venues to be found anywhere. And in the area of the Square, you can visit the beautiful Cathedral, the fascinating Cabildo, the Presbytere, and simply enjoy whatever art and entertainment might be offered that day.
Now, frankly, there’s nowhere you can go where you can’t find some great food from the casual to the “Dinner at Antoine’s” variety. Whatever street you may be on, you’ll find something great!
One of my favorite places to see, is Lafitte’s. Was it really a blacksmith shop at one time? Hm. History has it that while it might not have been a blacksmith shop, the famous—or infamous—pirate and his brother did do business of one kind or another there. The people of New Orleans loved the man—hey, he got them things they might not have been able to acquire any other way!
Don’t forget to visit the Carousel Bar at the Hotel Monteleone. I love the Monteleone—we started a small conference there because a friend who owned a carriage company at the time said that I need to! Because, you see, after Katrina, the city was desperate. She was grateful for the charity of the American people, but the citizens didn’t want to keep living on charity—they needed to get back to work. I was a little floored and told her I wasn’t sure how many people I could get—and she told me it would be like a hair commercial—a friend would tell a friend would tell a friend.
Hey, the city is doing just fine now. Sometimes, when I’m in a long line and get impatient, I have to remind myself it’s what we wanted for the city!
Anyway, I hope I’ve given you a few ideas. There are so many more opportunities! There’s the beauty of the Garden District, tours that head out to old plantations, to Chalmette Battlefield, to gorgeous parks and more, not to mention the museums that I missed that feature art and jazz, historic structures . . .
All depends on what intrigues you most! But, of course, we aim to offer a great learning and connecting convention—along with the unique and exquisite beauty and atmosphere of the City of New Orleans!
(Hm. Not to mention a stop by the historic Beauregard-Keyes House, just down Royal, where you can go a wee bit further and see “Fifi Mahoney’s” where they create the most amazing wigs known to man. And a Community Coffee just across the street, too!)
Tour offerings will be available in February and we will let everyone know how to sign up for them. We plan on Monday afternoon, Tuesday, morning and afternoon and Wednesday morning.
Another newsletter will be coming out in the next two weeks with updates on events and new information.
I look forward to seeing you in New Orleans,
Heather Graham
New Orleans LOC Chair