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!
Ms. Banks, you deserve this awards and lots more to come. I must say that I started first reading the Vampire Huntress Legend with “The Forsaken”, I was so enthralled that I went back to the Libary and started with the 1st of the series “Minion”. Ever since then I cannot put any of your books down. So Congrats, Ms. Banks.
Oh by the way……have you thought of perhaps making this in to a Movie, It would definetly be GREAT to see, I know I will be the 1st on line to purchase tickets to go see them.
[...] the initial ballot until VHL readers hit Essence with all the energy they had," Banks writes on her blog. "In fact, I wasn’t even aware that there was such a contest until you all kicked up a [...]
Leslie,
Congratulations are in order!
Better late on the blog than never. Ive told you already that you “MADE IT DO WHAT IT DO!” You are so deserving of this award there are no words. Im proud of you and know that there is more in store for you in the future.
Peace Health & Safety
Shaun
wow! congrats Leslie.
bh
Congratulations!! I am honored to have been able to express my appreciation of your work by voting for you. You continue to be an inspiration with your stories (in all your different genres).
Thank you for sharing the blessing of you with us your readers!!!
-Carrie
You deserve it Leslie!!!
God is good, good, good!!!
Congrats,
mkj
Mrs. Banks,
Congratuatlions on your win!!!!! Very much deserved. I remember walking down the block one day in Brooklyn, NY and happened to stop at one of those street vendors selling books. I saw Minion, thought to myself hmmm interesting, and bought it. I have not looked back since. I am hooked. I haven’t read The Darkness yet, but that’s only because I’ve been slacking. I intend to get it today! I am so looking forward to a movie or TV series. These young folks need it. Bring down the light!!!!!!!!
Hey Ms. LA/Leslie and all the personalities,{:->}
A Great Big Shoutout to from Beverlyland. Ccongratulations on your win.
Thanks for taking the time to visit us in B’Land and of course you’re an Honorary member of our House.
We are still converting the “Faint Of Heart” to the Darkside with the Huntress series and more are coming on Board with the Were’s after reading “Creepin and Vegas Heat.
Keep up the Good work and I’ll be here supporting you whatever Genre or Name You Chose.
Kathy Colo Spgs Co.
Leslie, the moment the word went out all of the forces went to vote and it didn’t matter that it didn’t work the first couple of times we kept doing it until it did. Many congratulations on all of your success. No one deserves this honor more than you. You’re a wonderfully talented writer and your spirit is huge. I’ve never met a more down to earth giving person who is so real it makes me go WOW!!
Let me know your next trip to Chicago so we can plan another drive and another show. All the best
Namaste
Dyanne
You are awesome!!! Congrats on the award. Please keep up the good writing. I am looking forward to the next installment of the VHL. I have personalized plates on my little red Mini Cooper, “NETURU”. A lady in the next lane honked her horn at me (while on the 405 freeway driving 60mph) We rolled down our windows giving each other the thumbs up. She’s yelling and I’m yelling back about how much we enjoy your writing LOL!!! I am surprised we made it off the freeway alive! You have mad supporters here on the West coast, so please keep doin’ ya thang!!!
Love and much Light,
Shangri-La
WE ALL KNEW IT COULD BE DONE,YOU’RE ON THE MAP,FULL STEAM AHEAD
Great News! That Wonderful, I’m so happy for you and I am a truly dedicated fan. I can’t read the Vampire Huntress Legends fast enough. I’m so ready for the movie and the sequels to follow. You have go to have Angela Basset play Marlene.
Congratulations for the awsome win and your are such a dynamite writer. I’m thankful for you writing beyond the limits and God has definitely blessed you in so many ways ways. Keep making good books and making us proud.
God bless,
Faedra
[...] congrats to L.A. on winning the Essence Magazine “Storyteller of the Year” [...]
Congrads!!!! I’m so happy for this!!! There’s more to come! Keep up the good work and stay in the Light!!!!
Congratulations!!!! You are truly amazing!!! Can’t wait untill July for “The Shadows”
Nae
Philly
Wow and Congrats!
I am soooo Happy to see you win, it was well deserved. Glad to read that you and your daughter had a good time and I am proud that we (the fans) could help a sista out.
Looking forward to your next series,” Bad Blood” and of course “The Shadows” in July.
Stay in the Light,
Anita
Chitown
I am so very proud of you. You have transformed the lives of women, men and numerous relationships of those that tasted your magical written nectar.
Congrats again for all your hard work. You are a woman of great talent; you write across so lines. Romance, Thillers, etc…… Thanks you for keeping my mind thinking, and making me want to read!
I started reading the Vampire-Huntress series last year on a cruise and have not stoppe. It is the best!! You are one of the best writers I have had the pleasure to read, and I have read a lot. Congrats to you, truly you deserve the award and more!
Just wanted to say I had a great time at the chat! I heard we had a record number of visiters. You brought down the house! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedual to talk with us.
Much love!
Jackie
Congratulations!!!! I’m so glad all the voting paid off. LOL. You totally deserve it and I know the movie, WHEN it happens, because I’m putting positive thoughts out will be off the chain.
FAN FOR LIFE!!!
I have just finished reading your 10th book in the vampire huntress series.
I read it in 2 days!!! You are a very, very POWERFUL SISTAH!!!
Your use of scripture, history(herstory), and current events is absolutely
phenomanal!! I am an avid reader and a serial reader and I am proud to say I own ALL of this series!!!
Congratulations on a ver much deserved award!!
Stay in the Light!!!
Sharon
i love u l.a.banks i like how you write
you should make a movie out of your books
Lady I am sooooo proud of you. I was one of those many who put your name in the hat. You looked like you were having the time of your life. You are truly a great story teller. As a bookseller, every time I find a customer who is into vamp tales I recommend your series. They often come back and let me know how hooked they are. The first time I met you was in Karibu Bookstore in Bowie MD. Can’t what to see you in the Washington DC area. I still owe you a purple silk wrap.
Again congratulations.
[...] a new fan of L.A. Banks. I read book one in her Vampire Huntress Legend and loved it, but kind of backed off when I [...]
I have been reading the vampire huntress series again and again each time the next book is printed. It will be a sad day when book twelve is completed!
Finished Bad Blood and I’m almost done with Creepin! Fantasitc reads! Bad Blood is every thing I hoped it would be. Congrats on your Infinity wins! It just gets better and better!
Much Love
Jackie
Car Radar Detector Reviews…
I found your site on technorati and read a few of your other posts. Keep up the good work. I just added your RSS feed to my Google News Reader. Looking forward to reading more from you….
I enjoy your writing and love your books. I am always anticipating your next novel on pins and needles. Congratulations and I hope I can become as good a writer as you. You are my inspiration.
Girl I am so proud of your accomplishments. You have inspired me to start writing again and I hope I can one day be with you on Oprah sharing this joy. I have turned so many people onto your books that they thought we were friends. I have already emailed you about making the Vampire Huntress series into a film or animated feature(ala’ Beuwolf style). I feel so strongly about this that I have actually created a full cast of actors I would use in making the film. So sister keep up the great work and don’t make me suffer too long waiting for the last 2 books. Thank you again for being the Queen that you are and writing such visually rich stories for me to journey within… Ashe’
I just started reading your books in Feb and I couldn’t put them down. One after the other I read until I have no choice but to wait for The Shadows. I love the way you write, you are tthe bomb for real for real!! lol. Congratulations on your win and I’m sure that you will win many more. Thank you so much for making reading fun and exciting again.
Congrats and I have to say you are truly and I do mean truly an awesome writer I have read all of your vampire series and read most of the romance novels and getting ready to start on the mystery books. YOU ARE SIMPLY AWESOME I AM READING YOUR BOOK BETTER THAN AND I AM AT A LOST FOR WORDS……..I had an organism sitting at work in the middle of the day I am still shaking you are just awesome your writing is wow I can’t put it words as you do! I am a hot mess! You have truly put life into me! I love just love the vampire series I am a junky rereading until the next one comes out! Wow I can’t wait to see you when you come to Chicago I will be there! I keep asking is it ok to bring every book written by you so you can at least breath on them! Wow my friends told me to pick out one book and bring it but I am totally clueless I don’t know which one to bring! Sorry just got carried away! You deserve every award given to talented writers such as your self you are amazing!
Thank you for all your works keep up the good work! God has truly blessed your brains and hands to put out such OUTSTANDING WORK!
When are you going to turn your books into movies, they are amazing books and they would explode in the box office!!
Cant wait 4 The Shadows!!!
Congrats on the award!!!! Keep up the good work
and may On High continue to bless and guide you.
Congrats. you deserve it. I have all of your books and can’t get enough. They are my favorite series to read and i can’t wait to see how it ends with the last. I have been waiting to see if any come out as movies cause i for one would buy em all. I think with the actionand all the would do awesome.
I have every book, I am waiting on the movie, this series is soooo lifelike it’s scary especially the shawdows. If there is any truth to what we read in the pages of your novels lord help this world.
Buffy, Blade, who???
Octavia Butler would be soooo proud if she was still with us!
Keep on writing, we will keep on reading!!!!
Ms. Banks,
Just want to let you know that I loooove your books. Iknow you probably hear that 24/7 but i need to get it off my chest. I am hoping that someone will get smart and do a movie about Damali, Carlos and the whole crew. Gotta run, but much respect to you…keep doin what you do for sho!!!!!
1 more thing Ms. Banks….are we going to get a between the books on the VHL site soon….i’m jonsin’.
I know this is late in coming but big up’s to you. Seriously, I know that you are very deserving of this award and I hope that there are many more for you in the future now that you have your foot in the door. Take this as a stepping stone and keep doing you! I look forward to reading more and more of your work and can’t wait to see how the VHL series ends. Once again Congrats and good luck in your future endeavors.
You’re awesomw, and I never expected less!
You’re awesome, and I never expected less! YOU GO GURL!!!!!
congrats! its about time you were recognized. YOu have so much talent. I hope i can do half as good as you in my own endeavors.
neecy
Felicidades Sista Banks,
You definitely deserve this honor and recognition. Your Vampire Huntress series has been both mesmerizing and intriguing. It is indeed challenging to put down any of the books until it is read cover to cover. I want to thank you for sharing you gift of storytelling. Though I will miss the Neterus, I am looking forward to reading your upcoming collections.
Enjoy Your Blessing, Sis
-LJP
I discovered the VHL series about a year ago and just finished The Shadows. I must say the series has changed me in suble ways…
I started Bad Blood last night and was still reading when the sun came up.
I am hooked. I read at stop lights, train crossings and during my lunch.
Keep writing and I will be first in line when they make the movies.
Damali and crew are my heros.
K
I’m late with the congrats, but you are so deserving! I’m reading Ancestors now and waiting on baited breathe for next years releases. I have never been a groupie. However, your books are phenomenal!!!The LORD above Blessed you and then Blessed us with you. Thank you Leslie for sharing yourself with us : – )
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We did it!!! YOU DID IT! Together we won The Essence Magazine Storyteller of the Year Award! THANK [...]…