The Twelve Tribes Compound Summit wasn’t just an event—it was a happening!
The night before our Philly crew was on a mission… Tina Wise (and hubby Andre, plus her kids, Cody & Cheyenne—yes we pressed children into service, LOL) Don Lafferty, and both his beautiful girls (I told you, we were on a mission and no respecter of age or gender, LOL), Patti Kerr, plus my daughter schlepped boxes, checked and double-checked all room reservations, lanyards, stuffed 150 gift bags, sorted Tasty Kakes, you name it, until we were sure that everything was in order. Then it all began.
People started arriving the next day to register in the lobby and picked up their silver lanyards (yes, made to match Carlos’s eyes—BIG GRIN), their Sankofa totes filled with goodies, with a complimentary Philly soft pretzel & Tasty Kake… just a little somethin’ somethin’ to say welcome to the city. But it was so incredible to watch folks who’d never seen each other, but who had been buddies on line identify each other, scream and pass out big hugs—that was soooo cool! It touched my heart and made me laugh out loud at the love and joy that was being expressed.
When the VIP Reception opened, Castle of Dracula Wine was there in force with their beautiful black bottles that have the “marker’s mark†seal on them in a red wax replica… hmmm… remember the early books when that was Carlos’s drink of choice? Yep—everything we did was themed for the event. (And as the bottles were emptied, guests took them as souvenirs!) The Devil’s Candy Store blew everybody away with their table which held an unsheathed Madame Isis blade from the contest that everyone got to take a photo with… and Verizon, our title sponsor, made sure the food kept flowing: pasta, mini quiches, egg rolls, mini cheese steak pastries, shrimp puffs… it was all so good!
But the best part of that night was the endless recognition, laughter, camaraderie and the way the Street Team engaged everyone with AWESOME raffles and trivia giveaways. People walked away with some NICE prizes. Handcrafted necklaces, posters of book covers, gift bags chock full of all things Neteru, tattoos… it was deep. Finally we all went up to the Presidential Suite, where we had cake and goodies and sang Happy Birthday to Street Team members Alicia Thomas and Chantay Wesley… and then we got DEEP into philosophy and details of the VHL. If I tell ya, I’ve gotta kill ya, LOL!
Bright and early the next day, we headed off on the bus tour with box lunches from the Marathon Grille. We hit the Masonic Temple (plenty of laughs there, too, by our wry tour guide), then stopped to take pics outside the Rodin Museum (and their Gates of Hell fresco that was right out of The Forsaken), rolled past the Cathedral, and stopped at The Philadelphia Museum of Art for more scenes in the book before heading to The National Constitution Center. There we toured the “American I Am†exhibit… which was reminiscent of the tour the Guardian Team took in Detroit in The Shadows (where Yonnie flipped out and Carlos had to talk him down.)
After all that walking, folks got to take a load off their feet and sit for a lively panel discussion that featured scholars, Dr. Peter Logan (an expert on vampires in literature), Rev. Dr. Wil Gafney (a fantastic theologian and scholar of ancient Hebrew), Jonathan Maberry (a fab author, Bram Stoker award winner, and researcher), and of course Senior editor, Monique Patterson of St. Martin’s Press—who gave the in-depth on directions in the publishing industry… with Solomon Jones (another fantastic author and Bestseller) as moderator. The questions were off the chain from the audience, just awesome discussion. But leaving there at 4:30pm, getting on the bus, and making it back during rush hour traffic meant a “presto-chango†into a black dress with some make-up and a dash to The Philadelphia Clef Club.
But OMG…. What a NIGHT! We gave out well-deserved awards to the Street Team volunteers, and staff. We gave out gift bags that had African Sunshine Soda in them—because Damali drank orange pop—we gave everyone their “Egyptian orange†flavor, with BBQ chips from Rap Snacks (remember our heroine’s penchant for BBQ chips, LOL?), as well as had African Cultural Art Forum make us a special blend of “Neteru love†incense and put vampire mints in the bags from Shadow Manor, with love stickers and all sorts of other goodies… I told you we weren’t playing! Red Rose Publishing gave us red rose earring to represent the scenes where Carlos threw petals on the bed (back in his old wild vamp days, LOL)
We heard music from around the world! Everything from Goth hip hop to ancient Aborigine sound vibrations to African drumming and dancing, Asian Lion Dancers (with the huge dragon body puppets) to Res doing soulful solos… sumptuous food, spoken word and libations that were profound… Twin Poets and Sonia Sanchez, Misty Sol, Davina, with Linda Goss and Priestess Pam Hooks with Doc Gibbs… it was so much I don’t even know where to begin… even my sister, Liza Peterson (who is a Kemetic Priestess) got up there and opened the way in the authentic manner. Between sets, MC Jeff Hart and mix-master DJ Dollar Bill kept the flow flowing. It was a wonderful night, a packed house, and the vibe of peace and love in the air!
The next day, we were all dragging, but that didn’t stop the Street team from showing out at the brunch. Everybody who either brought their books or purchased them from robin’s Bookstore (our independent bookseller) got their pic and a book signed, while the Street team gave out MORE prizes. I don’t think a soul left the weekend without getting something.
So, good people, it was ALL good! I’m so tired I don’t know what to do with myself, LOL… but here’s a pic of what’s coming soon… graphic novels by The Dabel Bros Productions—who were also, like St. Martin’s Press, one of our lead sponsors. In 24 hours, I’ll be headed to Chicago to begin the book tour for The Thirteenth, so I’ll be off line for a bit. And, oh, yeah, gotta write another werewolf book installment so we can find out what’s going on with Sasha and Hunter—BIG SMILE… while I tweak the young adult story of the next generation of The Neteru Guardians. It ain’t over till it’s over!
BIG PHILLY HUG… and much love & Light to everyone!
Leslie!
Leslie, Let me just say again that it was the greatest pleasure meeting you. When i first saw you on Friday, no lie, you were glowing white light. Then you came over, hugged me, and when I told you who I was you knew me! *screams like highschol girl* You are so beautiful and humble. thank you so much for giving all of us slightly different, ever evolving guardians a chance to come together. Your vision brought us all together in person and spirit, on this 12 book journey. I can not wai for all you have in store. And I hope to see you again someday.
Oh Leslie, I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there, but let me tell you, I could feel the Love and Light all the way over here in AZ!! It tickles me to no end to hear the stories from those who did attend. The pics Glennie took were awsome along with Quicks’ and the others. Really captured the event for me. The bonds that were made there were for life. You are such a gracious and loving person, thank you and the Street Team for making this possible. Looking forward to more of your wonderful writting.
Much Love!
MsJC
And don’t forget that the winner of the Madame Isis Essay contest was announced during the festivities Saturday night. Portia Adams is the deserving Keeper of the Sword. You can read her winning essay at http://thedevilscandystore.com/devil_html/madame_isis_contest.html. I’ll be posting my photos of the event soon! A great time where I know I’ve met friends for life.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience of this event. Boy!! I wish I could have been there! Your books are so awesome, and your writing an inspiration. Please keep on keepin on!
After freakin’ most of the day Friday, thinking I’d be stuck in Omaha and miss the event, we finally made it in. It was so worth the trials and tribulations it took to get to Philly. You truly made us all feel welcome! The summit was amazing, can’t wait to do it again! And thanks for giving us a chance to experience the AMERICA I AM exhibit-I was in tears by time we hit the last room-hats off to Tavis Smiley-everyone alive needs to experience this wonderful and painful synopsis of our history!
Thanks for the party of a lifetime!
LeoScorpio Mix
Wow…I’m glad everything went well..I wish I was there but you can’t have everything you want all the time..Thank you for sharing this with us..I’m loving the pictures that are up on Facebook..The picture above is AWESOME…I can’t wait for the Graphic Novels, Y/A series, and Crimson Moon Series to come out…Keep up the AMAZING work..
My daughter Barbara and I had a wonderful weekend with all of the Guardians. Everyone was wonderful, spiritual and gracious. I took so many pics, I keep crashing my computer trying to download them all. I am one of those who took home a House of Dracula bottle and it now resides on my alter. All of the events were so much fun. I just loved the Masonic temple. All I can say is wow! Beautiful! It blew me away. A must see when visiting Philly. The “America I Am” exhibit was fabulous.
Best of all was spending the weekend with Leslie Ann Banks she is a wonderful, warm intelligent and spiritual woman who makes all of her fans feel special
Mama L, it was so nice just to be up there and chill with everyone. My mama and I drove up to Philly from Bmore Saturday morning, and while I was at the Clef Club, she was hanging out with Nana and Pop-Pop. Mama was raised in Philly, so she drove me straight down Broad Street til we got to South Philly (and we were coming from Germantown) because she knows how much I love you and she loves you too! LOL, I called her during 7th Layer, and then about an hour later (right at the good part of Res’ set, I was so mad I had to leave) she pulled up, and I grabbed my wonderfully put together gift bag and we headed back uptown to crash at Nana’s house. It was also nice to finally put faces to names! When I saw Quick get up to accept her award, I clapped and screamed like I knew her!! LOL!!! It was a lot of fun, but now its back to school-work. That was a nice and well-deserved break though for me. I can’t wait for the next installments of the series…the girl’s got the fangs and the boy’s got the wings, it’s gonna be off the hook!!!!!!!! Love you Mama L, and God’s continued blessings to you
Thank you for hosting a memorable weekend. I’m so glad I was able to attend. I missed getting a picture with! I will have crop some of the ones Glennie took. You are a true inspiration thru your writing, Thank you.
I didn’t get to make it to this event despite how BADLY I wanted to be there.. But it’s all good tho cuz I’m definitely gonna catch you in Houston in April.. I feel like I was in Philly tho with all the updates and pics and youtube videos we got on the forum.. Much love to you Mama Banks for the shout outs you gave (especially saying that I can play Yonnie) and thank you so much for this series.. I’ve not only met wonderful characters and learned lessons in these books but I’ve also met some characters lol and definitely learned some lessons from the readers of this series.. I truly can’t wait for this YA series and my inner comic book fanboy is definitely screaming for this manga.. But I know you’re busy and I’m being long winded so yeah..
Love ya and Big Mississippi Hugs to ya,
Donald aka Neteru_Souldier
Leslie, Leslie, Leslie… “for real, for real” The Summit was so off da chain. I had such a wonderful time just chillin’ with you the Street Team, all the other Guardians and the potential guardian in my hubbie.. LOL! This was a wonderful culmination to the end of the series but Im speaking words into the atmosphere that more is to come from our favorite characters in VHL. There are those who need their back stories done (hint hint!!) and we just dont want to let these wonderfully put together characters to rest. OMG…the Devil is a liar LOL! No really Leslie thanks for showing up and showing out. Your True Spirit always shines through and makes us all feel like we are family. Too much fun was had in Philly been hearing a buzz on the boards about cruises and all sorts of things.. Hmm maybe we can get to tour some of Carlos territory and do the darn thing.. Guardian style. Amazon’s What???
Look at me Im just kickin it on the blog like Im sending a personal email to you.. See how loving VHL makes us all ADDICTED. Hope your laughing reading this from a crazy sexy cool sister who really loves you. VHL 4 Life!
Big hugs from GA BWO Jerzee baby!!!!!!!!
Shaun aka Shaboogie2
Hey Les,
I am so glad to have spent time in your presence once again! You have such a generous spirit! Thanks for taking care of me when my legs and feet started acting up that Saturday. I just finished the VHL series for the second time and am finally ready to venture out into your new series. I look forward to seeing you again and can’t WAIT for all of the blessings that are coming your way!! Love, Guardian Melody