Author Rosary O’Neill Featured in Paris Gazette

Author, historian, playwright, and academic Rosary O’Neill recently enjoyed a global book launch of her book, Kate Chopin in New Orleans, cowritten with Dr. Rory O’Neill Schmitt. The signing took place — in Paris, France in the 14th arrondissement at FIAP (which translates to International Centre for Accommodation and Seminars.) The event, which involved both visual and performance art, was covered in the renowned Paris Gazette.

Rosary — a native of New Orleans who has both French and Irish ancestry — visited France with her two daughters (whom she often collaborates with) Rory O’Neill Schmitt and Rachelle O’Brien. Rory has cowritten books with her mother ranging in topics from Voodoo to Edgar Degas. (She is a PhD in art; Rachelle is a photographer, musician whose work was exhibited in Paris along with Rory’s as part of the recent festivities. A book reading \ and a showing of videos and slides on Kate Chopin and New Orleans highlighted events on November 7, 2024. Excitingly, among those present at were members of Kate Chopin’s family, her French cousins, who live in France. Also shown were clips from “The Garden District, a TV series that Rosary and Rory wrote. Every episode centers on the eccentric (mis)adventures of a wealthy bourgeois French-New Orleanian family. Fun fact: Rosary’s son, Barret, stars in the series…a family affair, indeed.

After the success of the Kate Chopin book launch and signing, Rosary and Rory are focusing their attention on their Ghost Book of New Orleans (inspired by tales of their Irish great/grandmother). Once again, Rachelle is taking iconic photos, this time the haunts of New Orleans ghosts.