Bouchercon 2016: Blood On The Bayou
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Hoteln: New Orleans Marriott
Date: September 15 – 18, 2016
Bouchercon is the world’s finest annual crime fiction event, bringing together more than 1,500 authors, fans, publishers, reviewers, booksellers, editors, and every other part of the community for a fantastic four-day event.
I arrived in New Orleans a couple of days before the start of the convention to get in some sightseeing. First on the agenda was a 2-hour highlights tour of New Orleans. We stopped at Willies for our first taste of New Orleans foods eating Chicken Fingers and it was delicious. Then onto our tour where we saw the sights and sounds of New Orleans that included a stop at St. Louis Cemetery #3, a stop in City Park where we had our first taste of beignets amid a thunderstorm and lightening. Then off to tour Katrina and it’s aftermath. Our final meal of the day was at Creole House where I had the Taste Of The Bayou which is a combination of bayou traditions: Chicken & Andouille Gumbo, Crawfish Etouffée, Red Beans & Rice and Cajun Jambalaya.
The next day we walked to the Aquarium only to find it closed. Then we took the railroad to Jackson Square. We strolled in several of the stores on our way to Café du Monde. We sat in Jackson Square Park and enjoyed the shade and then headed back to the hotel. We had lunch at Palace Café and for our evening meal, we went to Mimi’s for TAPAS. I always wanted to know what it was. I sampled the duck, salmon and broccoli, and steak; I didn’t even look at mushroom plate. Then back to hotel for conversations with other early Bouchercon attendees.
Tuesday was my day to volunteer, so I helped stack books for the Book Bazaar and was impressed with how it was set-up. Then we took a trip to Central Grocery, home of the Original Muffuletta Sandwich. A traditional-style muffuletta sandwich consists of a muffuletta loaf split horizontally and covered with layers of marinated olive salad, mortadella, salami, mozzarella, ham, and provolone. Then a group of use headed to Napoleon House where I. ATE. ALLIGATOR. It was very gamey but good as I ate all of it while left the regular sausage on my plate.
Wednesday, I went on another on another 2-hour tour, this time St. Louis Cemetery #1, where we saw plenty of mausoleum and shrines. We even saw the tomb that actor Nicholas Cage has built. Then it was off the the BOLO Books soiree where we dined on appetizing snacks and imbibed Lemoncello. A good time was had by all.
Thursday was the first official day of the convention and my panel was at noon. We were given a 3-section room and I was surprised that it filled up as it did. The opening ceremony featured the guest arriving on floats. That was fun.
Saturday I attended Ellen Byron’s book launch for Body on the Bayou at Hall-Barnett Gallery where the appetizers were appetizing and the drinks flowing. Another good time was had.
I could tell you more, but I don’t remember much, but these pictures highlight my first trip to New Orleans. Enjoy!
*** SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2016 ***
*** MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2016 ***
*** TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 13, 2016 ***
*** WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2016 ***
Nicholas Cage’s tomb
*** THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 ***
*** FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2016 ***
*** SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2016 ***
*** SOCKS ***
Have you ever attended a reader/author convention?
What a wonderful recap! You sure do know how to make the most of the destination and make the conference looks so much fun, as it was!
LikeLike
Great summary of both Bouchercon, and the unique sights and foods you experienced in NOLA, Dru Ann! I wish I had known about your socks though…I would have looked closer to see what you wore each day!
LikeLike
Thanks for taking us along with you in words and pictures. I did recognize some of the Wickeds, and Maine Crime Writers..and did I see a Jungle Red?
LikeLike
Outstanding pictures! I really enjoyed the look! Thank you!
LikeLike
Great pictures Dru Ann!! The food looks AMAZING!! Thanks for sharing. And no, I’ve never been to an author/reader convention, but hopefully one day.
LikeLike
Terrific recap, loved the photos. Wish I had been there! Hope to see you at Bouchercon Toronto!
LikeLike
I’ve been waiting for this! Thanks for sharing your memories, Dru. Hope to join you one of these years.
LikeLike
Wish I had been there with you, Dru. It looks like a wonderful trip. Thank you so much for sharing!
LikeLike
Thank you Krista. Hope to see you at Malice next year.
LikeLike
How could I forget attending your panel? One of the few I did go to and very good. So good seeing you again.
LikeLike
Thank you Mary
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your pictures. Looks like you had a great time. Going to an event is on my bucket list.
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing all those memories and including a photo diary as well. It’s a lot of fun for the readers to see our favorite authors and bloggers letting their hair down. We are very lucky to have you. Thanks for your always amazing blog and your devotion to the mystery community. Big thank you hug!!
LikeLike
Thank you for sharing your experience at Bouchercon. Your photos and recap brought it all back to life for me!
LikeLike
Thank you for reading it. Hope to meet you one day.
LikeLike
Great recap, Dru! Loved the socks at the end also. I’ll say a good time was had by all…understatement!
LikeLike
Thanks Kay. Will you be at Toronto?
LikeLike
Hi Dru,
Loved reading this and looking at those amazing pictures. I’m so glad you had a great time. So…..did you bring home a book or two? LOL Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I’ve never been to a book convention, it looks like everyone had a great time! I enjoyed the pictures and especially the socks! I’m such a sock person, just ask my friends and family.
LikeLike
What wonderful pictures, Dru Ann. Thank you for sharing your Boucheron (and Alligator!–I love Napoleon House) experience with us!
LikeLike
Love your photos! It was so great to see you!
LikeLike
Thanks. It was great seeing you as well.
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your pics!! I have blood on the bayou evy!! Looks like a great time!!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your pics!! I have blood on the bayou envy!! Looks like a great time!!
LikeLike
Thanks for sharing your pictures with us who could not be there. Looks like a good time was has by all.
LikeLike
What great memories! You caught it all – and obviously enjoyed every moment. Debra
LikeLike
Thanks Debra!
LikeLike
Thanks so much for posting these pictures. It has been many years since I was in New Orleans. I have such fond memories. Combine the beautiful city with my love of reading (mostly mysteries) and I am so happy. Glad you all had such a good time.
LikeLike
Oh Dru, what a fantastic recap. It’s like reliving the convention all over again – AND my party! Thank you so much. And NOLA thanks you. You did it proud.
LikeLike
Thanks Ellen. I had a good time at your book launch.
LikeLike
Wow! What a great time you had. New Orleans is a city I would love to visit and your pictures make me want to go even more.
LikeLike
Love the recap and pictures – thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
Dru, your photos are so amazing! You even have a picture of my favorite meal at the Palace Cafe, the Pasta St. Charles. Your recap and photos show me some things I missed that might require a return trip.
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLike
Thanks for the recap and the gorgeous pictures. I was with you, food-wise, until you mentioned alligator.
LikeLike
Fantastic photos. Thanks for sharing them with us.
Blood on the Bayou was my very first author/reader convention, but it won’t be my last. I had an absolute ball. And one of the highlights was meeting you and having breakfast together on the last day.
LikeLike
Great pix. Brought back a lot of memories. Been there 5 or 6 times but not since Katrina. Love the food, of course.
LikeLike