If you’ve ever wondered what happens when hundreds of crime writers and mystery lovers descend on a city known for jazz, ghosts, and gumbo, this post is for you.
Bouchercon isn’t just a conference. It’s the Super Bowl of the crime fiction world. A place where plot twists spill off the page and into real life, where friendships are forged over forensic banter, and every hallway feels like a cold case waiting to be cracked. You’ll find award-winning authors, lifelong readers, amateur sleuths, and real-life professionals (like me) swapping stories over coffee, or cocktails.
This September, I’m heading to my fourth Bouchercon in beautiful (and yes, delightfully haunted) New Orleans. Whether you’re a longtime attendee or just crime-curious, I’m giving you a peek behind the scenes of this year’s convention. What it is, who it’s for, what I’ll be doing, and how to track me down if you want to talk murder. Fictional, of course.
What Is Bouchercon?
Let’s start with the basics: Bouchercon (pronounced “bow-cher-con”) is an annual convention for mystery, thriller, and suspense lovers. Named after legendary writer and reviewer Anthony Boucher, the event has been bringing together fans and authors since 1970. Over the years, it’s become the gold standard gathering for anyone who loves a good whodunnit.
This year, Bouchercon lands in New Orleans from September 3–7, and it’s shaping up to be one of the most atmospheric and memorable yet. (Seriously, what better city for crime fiction than one with haunted hotels, foggy alleys, and a rich history of mystery?)
But what really sets Bouchercon apart is its audience. While most writing conferences cater to authors, Bouchercon is a reader-first event. Fans come from all over the world to meet their favorite authors, discover new voices, and geek out over murder mysteries in every shape and form.
The vibe? Equal parts professional and party. Imagine author panels by day, book signings in the afternoon, and spooky storytelling (with cocktails) by night. The days are packed with craft talks and forensic deep dives. The nights? A blur of laughter, book chatter, and possibly an impromptu ghost tour. It’s a place where introverts thrive, extroverts shine, and everyone leaves with a story or two they didn’t expect.
Why I Keep Coming Back
When I attended my first Bouchercon, I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I found was more than a conference. It was a creative recharge station.
There’s something electric about being in a room full of people who love the same twisted, thrilling stories you do. The panels spark new ideas. The bar conversations turn into book contracts. And the sense of community? Unmatched.
Every year, I walk away with:
- New writing inspiration
- A stack of books I can’t wait to read
- Industry updates and insights
- Deep belly laughs (usually while discussing body disposal)
- And a notebook filled with eerie details and overheard lines that just might make it into a future book
- New friends! Writers and readers!
It’s also where you get to peek behind the curtain, how your favorite authors build suspense, why that one cold case still haunts them, or what they really think about serial killer tropes. You learn. You listen. And you remember why you love the genre in the first place.
Plus, Bouchercon reminds me that we’re all fans first. It’s humbling, motivating, and downright fun.
Who Attends Bouchercon (and Why You Should Too)
Bouchercon is where you’ll find:
- Mystery and thriller fans: Cozy mystery readers. True crime addicts. Noir aficionados. If it’s suspenseful, someone here loves it.
- Authors: From bestselling legends to debut voices, crime writers of all kinds show up, and they’re incredibly approachable.
- Publishers and agents: Yes, deals happen here.
- Librarians, reviewers, and podcasters: The backbone of the book world.
You’ll also run into retired detectives, forensic experts, and the occasional fan who’s been to every Bouchercon for the last two decades. People come to connect, to learn, to fangirl over fictional detectives, and to talk murder without anyone batting an eye.
If you’ve ever wanted to pick the brain of your favorite writer, swap theories with fellow readers, or learn more about how crime fiction gets made, Bouchercon is your scene. The people are generous, the energy is contagious, and the love of story runs deep.
What I’ll Be Doing at Bouchercon 2025
This year, I’m diving in headfirst, with a packed schedule and a fully charged notebook.
Volunteering and Speaking on Panels
You’ll catch me on a medical mystery panel, where I’ll be sharing everything from forensic accuracy tips to story structure strategies. I’m also volunteering behind the scenes, because these events only work thanks to passionate people who keep the wheels turning, and the mics working.
Eating My Way Through NOLA (While Scouting Stories)
Let’s be honest: New Orleans is a feast for all senses. I’ll be wandering the French Quarter, notebook in hand, looking for eerie inspiration between bites of beignets and bowls of gumbo. Local legends, historic crime, and a haunted cemetery tour may sneak their way into the itinerary too.
Moderating Roundtables with Outliers University
Some of the sharpest minds in mystery will be coming together for roundtable conversations. I’ll be helping steer the discussion, asking the tough (and sometimes weird) questions, and taking notes for my next plot twist.
Podcasting with Terry Shepherd
I’m thrilled to be joining Terry Shepherd on his crime writing podcast for a live author interviews. We have a great line up, including Bosch creator, Michael Connelly. Expect laughs, insights, and maybe even a few secrets revealed. We’re talking process, plotting, and probably a few forensic horror stories too.
Guest Author on a Featured Panel
Being invited as a guest author is an incredible honor. I’ll be on a panel with some phenomenal writers, talking about medical mysteries and how we adapt true life medical and forensics to fictional worlds.
Researching Like a Writer at the Bar
I always say bar stools are the best research desks. Some of my favorite dialogue has come from casual chats (or intense debates) over cocktails. Consider this immersive research, part observation, part intuition, and always a good story waiting to happen.
Filling My Notebook with Inspiration
From overheard conversations to strange local legends, I’ll be jotting down all the deliciously dark details that might just inspire the next Emily Hartford mystery or one of my in-development stand alones. Writers never really turn it off, especially not in a city where mystery hangs in the air like humidity.
How a Crime Writer Travels (And What I’m Packing)
Writers travel weird, especially crime writers. I pack light, but I never leave home without:
- My current notebook (and backup)
- Sharpies for signing books
- My new Polaroid instant camera
- Snacks, caffeine, and trail mix (crime solving is hungry work)
- A list of NOLA ghost tours and crime history sites and recommended restaurants
- Post-its, pens, business cards, and swag bookmarks.
I also leave room in my suitcase for books. Lots of books. And maybe a stray forensic field guide or two.
New this year? I’m bringing a fun little giveaway for readers I meet at Bouchercon, think crime-themed, bookish, and just mysterious enough to make you curious. If you see me at the conference, ask me about it!
Traveling as a crime writer means seeing every street as a setting, every stranger as a character, and every detail as a potential clue, or motive. Even TSA security can feel like research if you frame it right.
Where to Find Me at Bouchercon
Want to say hi? Here’s where I’ll be during the week:
- Thursday all day: Podcasting with Terry Shepherd
- Friday: Outliers Roundtables & More podcasting with Terry Shepherd
- Friday: 3:30 – 4:00p.m. Mystery Writers of America signing table
- Saturday @ 10:30 a.m. – Mystery & Medicine Panel
I’ll also be drifting to the bars after hours and may pop up during impromptu meet‑and‑greets, just follow the notebook-and-beignet trail.
If you won’t be there in person, don’t worry, follow me on Instagram for updates, stories, photos, mini crime‑scene sketches, and behind‑the‑scenes moments. I’ll share panel highlights, giveaway clues, and even random overheard gem lines that make me pause mid‑typing. It’s the next best thing to being at the convention yourself!
(All times and appearances subject to change, check the final Bouchercon schedule for updates!)
Why Events Like This Matter
We live in a fast, fractured world. Bouchercon slows things down in the best way. It’s a place to connect.
It reminds me that storytelling isn’t just about books. It’s about community.
These events also serve to refill the creative well. They sharpen your skills, reignite your imagination, and remind you that the work we do matters, especially in a world that often feels chaotic or disconnected.
And for me, it’s a reminder that I’m not just a writer working alone at a desk. I’m part of something bigger. A community of creators and readers who believe that mysteries matter, that stories can heal, and that chasing the truth, even fictionally, is always worth it.
Whether you’re joining us in New Orleans or following along from home, thank you for being part of this story. Expect photos. Expect stories. Expect a few eerie surprises.
And if you see me wandering Bourbon Street with a notebook, chicory coffee, and a beignet? Just know… I’m working.
