We did it!!! YOU DID IT! Together we won The Essence Magazine “Storyteller of the Year” Award! THANK YOU! Bless you folks! This was the magazine’s debut literary event that they hope to turn into an annual function that may grow to the size of The Essence Music Awards one day… and you guys/gals put me on the map—HOT DANG! LOL!
No, I’m serious. I wasn’t even on the initial ballot until VHL readers hit Essence with all the energy they had, in fact, I wasn’t even aware that there was such a contest until you all kicked up a LOT of dust, ha ha ha! Then you raised Cain, literally, when the voting on-line didn’t go according to Hoyle for the first couple of days, and then you pummeled the voting tallies until a sister got her foot in the door. And check it out… of ALL the categories of nominations, “Storyteller of the Year” was the only one not decided upon by Essence judges. That was a Peoples’ Choice type of award, whereby votes were counted. You all weighed in, showed your muscle at the ballot box, and made it do what it do—BIG SMILE. For that I am deeply honored and humbled… it means so much more that this was done the old fashioned way, by reader selection and not politics. You all are simply amazing! BIG PHILLY HUG!
For the gala, I took my daughter. At 17, she was sooo excited! The publisher put us up at The Warwick a couple of blocks away from Le Parker Meridian in Manhattan where the event was held, and as you can see my boo has us playing around and mugging for the camera, LOL!
It was an awesome evening with authors, editors, publishers, marketing & PR types, media… the virtual who’s who in the literary community. 
Bishop T. D. Jakes received the President’s Award for his stellar work on “Repositioning Yourself” and one’s life—I’m gonna go get that book this weekend, believe me! Terri McMillan received the Lifetime Achievement Award, and was given special honors for her marvelous article on Jill Scott (a Philly sister whom I admire and adore!)
Actress Lynn Whitfield added some Hollywood panache to the opening of the envelopes, as did that fine hunk from the hot TV show The Wire, Jamie Hector (yeah, my kid got her photos on, LOL!) Appeals went out to save our community libraries and minority-owned bookstores amid the festivities to be sure that the opportunity to give back to one’s roots in reading were not overlooked. News anchor Hoda Kobt worked with Dr. Ian Smith (from The 50M Pound Challenge) to MC a fabulous event, with Essence’s own Patrick Henry Bass as head honcho 
What can I say… I felt like Cinderella at the ball. Open bar, chi-chi hors d’oeuvres, the glitterati… and somehow, through some very dedicated reader fairy godmothers & godfathers, I wound up on “The A List.” Wow. How cool was that… albeit with a size 11 shoe, it would’ve taken some doing to find this chic a glass slipper—but the powers that be improvised and gave me a crystal award, LOL! Mo’ betta in the long run. Any ole way, it was fun, I mean that in all sincerity—thank you soooo much! Me and my agent, Manie Barron, his partner at the firm, Claudia Menza, and my daughter were sitting in the back of the room. I was just glad to get nominated, had no expectation that I might actually win. He and I were buzzing and chatting between clapping (about to get thrown out like bad little children—you know when the teacher breaks up a pair, ha ha ha), and they called my name. For two seconds I didn’t move. I was like, “Huh? Me? For REAL? OMG!”
The St. Martin’s row went up, my back row went up, and we CUT UP, just acted like we had no sense… ah… you would have been proud (or terribly ashamed at us hooting, ha ha ha!) But my daughter was the “technical digital one” who filmed it and showed me how to get it up on You Tube – BIG GRIN. [I promise I'll have it up there by tomorrow, once that 18MB sucker uploads--laughing] She got the pics of me & Manie & Claudia & Monique Patterson (my editor) and some cool celeb pics and then blew my cell phone up and hers with the fast as lightening text messages to my sister, all my play daughters and family, who in turn blew up my cell (I don’t wanna see next month’s bill, but it was worth it, chuckle!)
SO THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR A NIGHT TO REMEMBER, AN AWARDS TO CHERISH… and most of all… FOR ALL THE LOVE!!! What a NIGHT!
BIG PHILLY HUG, Leslie!
Congrats to you Leslie, there’s no one who is more deserving!!!
I’m so happy for you. We need to get your name and all the series you write out there cause you are fabulous.
Love your friend and loyal VHL reader
Rawphina Maynor
Love ya much later dayz
TTFN Ta Ta For Now
I picked up the first book in your vampire huntress series 2 days ago and I haven’t been able to sleep since. I’m on the 3rd book now. You definitely deserve MANY awards for your work. Can’t wait to get “Bad Blood.” Anyway it is now 4:19 in the morning so I think I’m going to try to get some shut eye… but every time I try that damned book taunts me. LoL…
Woohooooooooo!! That is awesome news!! A huge congrats to you for keeping us entertained book after book and always stepping it up a notch.
“Congratulations!” I’m so happy for you. No one deserved it more. And did I see a goodie basket? Wow, you were raking in the awards and goodies!
Congratulations Ms. B!!!! I am so happy for you. You have some extremly loyal fans, and I know I voted dozens of times a day for days! Thank you for being such a great story teller and giving so much joy to others.
I SOOOOOOO KNEW THAT YOU WERE GOING TO WIN!!!! I feel like I won something I so dang gum happy. I know that my Momma thinks I lost my natural black mind after screaming the way I just did. It’s 9:00am on Sat and you know that black folk don’t play that (LOL). I don’t care because my SHero WON. It’s about time you started getting your props in that click. As a fellow bookworm I am sick and tired of the same old who shot who, who is sleeping with who, pimpin aint easy, church sleazy, back stabbing rat pleasing stories getting play. I under stand that dollars and sales dictate the pulling of power house coat tails. But can a woman that writes out side that box get some love too?
You go with your beautiful self. This has made my day.
God Bless
Seven
I just wanted to let you know that I loved the Darkness, yes I am crazy and finished that bad boy quick fast and in a hurry. On the bus , my lunch break and no TV! I can’t wait to talk to everyone about it.
Big Congratulations for your “Storyteller of the Year” Award!
You are indeed one of the best storytellers. The award is well deserved.
Keep doing what you’re doing.
CONGRATULATIONS! I really can’t think of an author that I read who deserves this accolade more. May this be the start of many awards and much recognition of your talent. I’m to be a member of the VHL Family.
YEAH! Congratulations!!!!! I’m so happy for you. You deserve the recognition. The literary world has just been put on notice the LA Banks, Leslie Esdaile, and who ever else you wanna call yourself fans don’t play when it comes to our girl. It’s the least we could do after being so entertained and in some cases enlightened by your work. Enjoy it.
Leslie!
Girl….why you so suprised! I knew you had this! LOL! We here is Chi-Town love you! You are the best….can’t wait to see and talk w/you again!
Cheryl
Chi-Town RAWSISTAZ Bookblub member
PS…can’t wait to read The Darkness, I got it…but I’m savoring the moment..you know just looking at it….touching it…..looking at it…….looking…….YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! You really deserve it! It’s wonderful to watch your growth and success as a writer– Helen, Julia and Hettie are very proud! Wishing you continued success and blessings and know that the 3 “wise women” always have your back. ROCK ON Cuz!
CONGRATS. You deserved it for all your hard work. Next award that HAS YOUR NAME ON IT IT’S INFINTI. That’s right a pretty sure you got that award in the bag because your such an amazing writer.
Love and Light Shining Star
P.S. The Stars are truly shining down on you right now
Aaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!!!
I am SO SO SO proud of you Les! I’m proud and happy and overjoyed for you! You give readers so much excitement and energy that we just had to give it back to ya, by any means necessary. Everyone has said that you deserve it because YOU DO, and we are soooooo happy that finally, others know what we’ve known for all along!
Love and Many more Blessings,
Amy
Congratulations. This is totally awesome!
Hey Leslie,
You are a brilliant story teller. This award is your coming out party. Hard cover books and television talk shows and movie adaptations await you. Hugest congratulations on your due recognition!
Best Regards,
Chip Armstrong
http://www.chiparmstrong.com
yessssssssssss!!HARD WON AND WELL DESERVED.THIS IS A WAKE UP
CALL .
BESTREGARDS
EVETTE WOODS
Congratulations!!!! This is wonderful news.
CONGRATS!!!!! I am so happy for you!!!! This is so wonderful!! You so earned that award and all the recognition that comes with it!!! That is the best news I’ve heard in a while!!!! WOOHOO!!! You go on girl!!!
BTW, I finished the Darkness in two days. Can’t wait till we can all discuss it. You really outdid yourself on that one!!! Thanks so much for being such an awesome writer and an awesome person!
Hiya Les,
} I enjoyed The Darkness and I am looking forward to the discussions on it, and of course to the other books to come. Best wishes and here is a prayer for more awards and prosperity to come your way. Amen.
Congratulations to you!! I am glad that you are getting the accolades you deserve! You are an amazing author and your books are out of this world {literally
HI Mrs. Banks,
I just turned twenty-five and most people would say I haven’t exprience much to get the message of inspiration you deliver in your stories, but trust I have lived enough to not only get the message but appreciate whole heartedly and I think you. I have always love the fiction suppernatual; from vamps, werewolve, and ect. and you bring like no other!!! For the longest time it was hard to fine a African American author who did fiction like that (at least here in Pensacola, FL), then you came along and shined the sun at its brightest. I hope you keep up for as long as you can and nobody deserves that award more than you.
YOUR THE BOMB MA!!!
Congrats, Ms. Banks,
Every since your first Vampire Huntress Legend Minion I have been hooked. I can’t get enough, ever, I love the message and history in each story. People ask me why I read your stories I tell all the time I am tired of the baby mamm drama stories and I need real a novel that is a great story, that leaves me wanting more and each of your stories do that for me.
Thank you for being a great African American writer who tells a great story of fantasy fiction.
Congratulations on being Storyteller of the Year!!!
Congratulations Leslie! You deserve it! I have gotten more than a few people hooked on your series.
Looking forward to more great stories.
Shoot I knew you had that like I knew my own name. Congratulations!!! Keep bringing the light girl. Much love and prosperity to ya.
It’s about dang time they recognize. Congrats on your award! Whoo hooo!!!! Pumping fist:>
Congrats! You deserve it! :*) I hope you get many more awards! :*)
We met in Bowie before Christmas-and as I was then, I’m in awe of how humble and genuine your are! You are a rare and true talent-congratulations Ms. Banks, you deserve it!!!!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!! MRS.BANKS. IM GOING BANANAS OVER HERE!!!!!YOU ARE THE MOST AMAZING WRITER. THIS IS WELL DESERVED.
I felt like I won summin !!!!
thank you for posting those pics
u look so happy and I am elated for you!!
your books have really been a source of great reading and encouragement to me
thank you for sharing your beautiful talent with us sis
Now the others folks that were’nt up on yo series and didn’t hear me hootin and hollerin about it…can get addicted too !!
because they are addictive
I ALREADY finished THE DARKNESS
it was the boooooooooooooooooooomb !!!
U shouldda seent me up inthe bookstore like a fiend on Feb 7th
hehehehehehheee
I had no doubt that you’d win! Congrats!
Congrats to a writer that bridges the lines of color, culture, gender, and religion. You are the embodiment of what we all strive to be.
I am so addicted to your writing! Hard to put down Darkness to even write this! LOL
BRAVO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
Standing up at my work desk clapping ( and looking a little bit crazy, but hey).
Wow Leslie! Congrats! I knew your fans wouldn’t let you down. Your VHL family loves you and you know we will ride or die for ya!!!
The year is off to a fantastic start for you..keep up the great work!
A BIG ATL hug for you!!!!
Jackie777
YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
Congratulations Ms. Banks!! I’m soooo super excited for you!! As soon as I saw the information about voting for you( big hug and a mwah on the cheek to the people that put up the links to get to the voting option on the Essence website) I made sure to vote as many times as they would let me. It’s wonderful to see someone so deserving win. I know this is only the beginning to what is coming your way. I truly believe what you give and project out into the world will come back to you; therefore, I feel you should get ready for more awesomeness to come your way!! That includes size 11 slippers in not only glass, but any other material you want them. I hear rubies are nice, and they can get you home in 3 heel clicks.(Would definitely help with your travel budget. LOL!!)
Most importantly I would like to say Thank You for being such an inspiration and a beautiful light to slowly dimming world.
Many blessings to you and yours!!!
You deserve it!! I’m so happy for you.
Marsha-Anne
Hooray my sister. I am truly proud of you. Of course like everyone here I voted a couple of tiumes got my husband to vote my mother my grandma the kids down the street… LOL well let’s just say if you were running for president I would be the crazy canvasser chasing people down in the street. Actually judging by the crowd in here I am guesiing you had a whole ARMY of crazy canvassers out spreading the word.
You deserve it. You can tell a mean story that will have a person propping up their eyelids with toothpicks at 5 am.
You just keep on doing what you doing so we can do it all over again next year. Peace to the family!!
OMG – I’d like to reminisce for a moment and go back to Minion. I remember my best friend Nancy asked me to review a book for her. She gave me Minion to read. I think I finished the book in 2 days. I’ve been hooked from the get go!!!
Leslie – This is so amazing! You know you are tooo BLESSED. I am so happy for you because this is well deserved. You are by far the most talented person I know (besides my mom…lol).
Stay in the Light!
Leslie,
Congrats again. You have a beautiful daughter. What a wonderful memory for her to have of her mother and her work.
You deserve it, you know you’ll always have a fan in me and SORMAG.
Many more blessings to you.
I AM SOOOOOOOO HAPPY FOR YOU!!! YOU ARE DA’ BOMB, and now everybody knows it. Man, who tells it better than LA Banks?? NOBODY!
Like everyone else, I voted multiple times, and encouraged my friends (also fans) to vote, and pass it on.. I don’t know about anybody else, but I had to write the webmaster at Essence twice, just to report that they didn’t have a voting button on the first day (I’m sure others blew them up to)! I was like, ‘oh no you don’t; we’re not gonna let any technicalities keep us from gettin’ our vote on, no way!’
When I get your books, I read them in about 2 days, then I’m mad at myself for going so fast, and having to wait for the next installment. Soooo, I go and get any of the other books/anthologies you’ve participated in that I can find, and enjoy the time in-between. Plus, it’s great to know there’s a new series on the horizon; looking forward!!
But back to the point: You truly, truly deserve this award (and the fruit that is yet to come), and I’m really excited for you. You are the Millenium Writing Neteru, so keep knocking em’ out and taking no prisoners! Just look at all the love on this board! Did you ever think that Minion would catapult you to this? God has a plan for all of us, and I’m happy you found your true calling. You’ve enriched so many others with the light of your gift. Thank you.
Much love, and peace from the Chi,
Cathy B
Leslie – I am soooooo proud of you girl!
You are so deserving of this award and all of the others awaiting you.
Stay blessed and keep pounding those keys.
Love you,
Rochelle
“YOU GO GIRL!!” You deserve it. I love your work. Keep telling your stories.
After reading the entire VHL series, I have started on the Trust series. I am so impressed that one woman can wear so many hats and tell stories the way you do! I am still so tickled for you and your getting Story Teller of the Year!
I am so looking forward to the chat for The Darkness! I had a blast with The Cursed chat, and I know this one will be off the hook as well.
Thanks again for the inspiration you give to others with your words.
Much Love,
Jackie
Congratulations on the honor, Leslie, and thanks for sharing your photos. It looks really exciting!
Bettye Griffin
Congrats Aunt Leslie!!!! I’m SOOOOOO proud of you! My rommates can’t get enough of your storytelling either
Congratulations Miss B,
I am soo proud to part of this well read community. You really know how to keep us enthralled, enlightened and entertained.
I can’t wait for the “Bad Blood Series to be released.
Keep up the good work and congrats again.
~Suzanne
Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am so happy for you and proud to be a fan of yours. YOU deserved it and I pray that you will have continued success. Thank you for being a real person who stays in contact with her fans. I have finished The Darkness and longing for The Shadows and Crimson Moon series. I love you Ms. Banks.
Renata Muhammad
~Staying In The Light~
OMG! Lesley I just heard and had to come say CONGRATS!!!! I’m so thrilled for you. You are a phenom! Here’s to many more such moments for you, sweetie. Next time we’re at something together, drinks are on me!
BIG hugs!!!!
I just finished “Darkness” it was absolutely amazing. All I can say about your books is WOW. It’s so hard to describe your books when I’m asked what I’m reading. Much easier to describe the way they make me feel. Thank you so much.
Ha, Ha ,Ha
Go Mrs. B!!
I knew you would win. Your fans flooded the polls; we are the faithful ones. I know you did not expect to win, ya should have asked somebody. We wanted you to have that award, because no one deserves it more than you!!! Enjoy, there will be many more were that came from!!! You guys showed out at the ceremony, but what really caught my attention is i call my Mommie, Mommie too.
I just got through reading the Darkness: WOW! I was laughing so loud i woke up my roommate. I can not wait until the next book drops; i guess the count down has to start again!!