We've just been informed that the New Orleans committee, with heavy hearts, has made the decision to cancel the Bouchercon. With thousands of dollars spent, the variant given the name Delta brought everything to a dead stop.

The announcement goes on to say:

Bouchercon Board and the Local Organizing Committee feel a moral obligation to think of attendees’ safety and health and, with the partnership of the Marriott, have now made the hard decision to cancel Bouchercon 2021 New Orleans and re-convene as Bouchercon 2025-New Orleans. Our Guests of Honor will remain the same.

It is with profound thanks and gratitude that our partnership with the Marriott Hotel will give you the same room rate if you decide to visit New Orleans on the Bouchercon dates this year August 22 – August 29. This is an incredible gesture on their part. I will send another email shortly, so don’t cancel until you are 100% sure you won’t be visiting New Orleans even though the conference won’t move forward in person.

All registered attendees as of July 1, will be receiving the Big Program Book, the Little Program Book, the Goody Bag and a T-shirt.

While it saddens us to cancel, we feel it is best. We wish to keep our members safe and have them back for future conventions without the danger of a rising health situation.  If anyone should be stricken with this horrible virus at our event, it would forever be a cloud of darkness and regret."

Regarding the Anthony Awards, we will still hold the Anthony Awards this year. You will receive a ballot on August 11^th and have until August 14^th to vote. Everyone registered after July 1^st will receive a ballot. Details of awarding the Anthonys will come in the next few weeks.

The organizing committee recognizes the desire some people have expressed for a virtual conference. Unfortunately, at this time, the planning and cost is prohibitive. "

We have a previous post that gives links to all the Anthony nominees that we either have in the Lisle collection, or you can request as an InterLibrary Loan.

So it looks like we need to keep our fingers crossed for Bouchercon 2022, which is scheduled to be in Minneapolis and look forward even more to let les bons temps rouler in New Orleans in 2025.