The romance world received the sad news that one of the shining stars of the
genre, Leslie Esdaile Banks, widely know as LA Banks, lost her battle
with late stage adrenal cancer on August 2, 2011. A loved author with more the
40 novels under her belt, Leslie was also known to contribute to magazines and
newspaper columns. She was the recipient of the 2009 Romance Times Booklover’s
Career Choice Award for Paranormal Fiction and the 2008 Essence Storyteller of
the Year award. Leslie was a proud founding member of the Liars Club, an
organization based in her home town of Philadelphia of authors and publishing
personnel.
Shortly after the announcement of Banks’ illness, the publishing community
gathered together and auctioned books, agent and publisher time, and other
valuable items to the literary community to help the Banks family with the costs
of Leslie’s medical bills. The Liars Club had planned to host a writer’s bash on
August 6th at Smokie Joe’s Bar in Philadelphia with the proceeds going
towards medical bills. This gathering of friends, family, colleagues and fans
will now serves as a memorial to remember the positive force Leslie was to so
many people. For those who would like to help the Banks family with expenses,
Donations can be accepted through the LA Bank Big Hug Jam paypal account.
3 comments posted.
This is so sad to hear. It does sound that she had a great support group around her. God bless.
(Kathleen Yohanna 4:49am August 5, 2011)