Tina Wise announced this on her facebook last week, and I'm signal-boosting for folks who are fans of L.A. Bank's work who want to help during this trying time.

***

From Tina:

It is with profound sadness that we have to inform you that our beloved sister and friend, Leslie Esdaile,

(“L.A. Banks”) is most gravely ill. She is facing an uphill battle in her struggle with serious illness. Please

know that as Leslie needs all of her energy in this fight, she is absolutely not able to receive visitors,

answer emails, texts or phone calls, or receive flowers. What she is able to receive is your continued

prayers.
 

 

Also, Leslie’s medical expenses are mounting at an astronomical rate. If you wish to assist Leslie, a fund

has been established to help with these ever increasing expenses. If you wish to send donations (please

note that donations are not tax-deductible) to help Leslie, please see the information listed below:

 

Leslie Esdaile Fund

Account #81538801

Police and Fire Federal Credit Union

Operations Center

901 Arch Street

Philadelphia, PA 19107-2404

215-931-0300

 

If you live in Philadelphia, PA, you may take donations directly to any Police and Fire Federal Credit

Union branch. Please be sure to note the account number. You may also send them to the P.O. Box

listed below*.

 

Police and Fire Federal Credit Union Branch Locations:

Main Branch:

901 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107

 

Additional Branches:

Leo Mall, 11705 Bustleton Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19116-2515

 

Davisville Shopping Center, Street Road, Philadelphia, PA

Andorra Shopping Center, Ridge and Henry Avenues, Philadelphia, PA

City Avenue Shopping Center, 7604 City Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19151-2007

Mayfair Branch on Frankford Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

Northeast Branch, 7500 Castor Avenue, Philadelphia, PA

Grant and Academy Shopping Center Branch, Philadelphia, PA

 

You may send good wishes and cards to*:

 

Leslie Esdaile

c/o Tina Ryan Wise

P.O. Box 37189

Philadelphia, PA 19148-9998

 

On behalf of Leslie, her daughter Helena, her sister Liza and all of her family and friends, we sincerely

thank you for all of your continued prayers and support.

Tina Ryan Wise

 

Tinarwise@gmail.com

Note: Cross-posted with permission from Yakoub Islam from his website The Muslim Age of Steam on The Steampunk Shariah.


Middle Eastern Astrolobe. 1291.

In Summer 2009, I made the bold decision to write a full-length novel. It seemed like the perfect solution to a troubled and difficult decade, which had largely centred around caring for my autistic son: a return to an old passion – creative writing; a therapeutic outlet following a period of mental and physical illness; and perhaps a means of drawing together the various intellectual and spiritual threads that have informed my faith and eclectic reading over the last 20-odd years. I began by exploring the imaginative possibilities surrounding the first recorded Muslim visit to England, allegedly made by the twelfth century geographer Muhammad al-Idrisi. A small cast of characters was assembled, along with possible subplots, themes and a couple of draft chapters. Yet after twelve months of research and writing, the various elements of my intended novel remained disparate, and I almost gave it up.

I wondered whether the problem wasn’t down to a contradiction that I’m sure many writers have experienced – between creative and publishing ambitions. I wanted to write a one of a kind book, but who would want to read it?

Read more on BeyondVictoriana.com

When my comrade-in-arms Jha Goh attended Wiscon this year, she asked me if I wanted anything. I only asked for two books, one of them being Nnedi Okorafor's WHO FEARS DEATH. This isn't a steampunk book, but I had read a bit about the setting: one with magic in a world where technology had crumbled and a vicious empire seeks to wipe out other tribes through genocide. Rebuilt societies + imperialist themes + magic = a book worth checking out. A couple of weeks later, I eagerly opened the package in the mail and read the following inscription: "I hope this novel takes you there and back again."

"There" is post-apocalyptic Africa, in a land known as the Seven Rivers Kingdom, a land plagued by war and genocide. My guide is the strong and determined Onyesonwu, a young woman whose name translates to the title of this book. Her story, told in simple but engaging language, is her journey. Though she is hated because she is an Ewu--born from the rape of her Okeke mother by someone from the conquering Nuru tribe-- Onyesonwu's life changes drastically when she develops the ability to change into animals and even raise the dead. Now, Onyesonwu must grapple against prejudice aimed at her because of her birth and her gender in order to master her magical abilities. But time is running short, because the Nuru armies are approaching her homeland--and a powerful magician is out to kill her.

Alongside magic powers and spirits, WHO FEARS DEATH deals with very tough, very real issues: weaponized rape, child soldiers, female genital mutilation. These topics are not sensationalized, but integrated into the harsh reality of the world of the Seven Rivers Kingdom. Nnedi also doesn't shy away from portraying the messed-up perceptions characters have concerning these subjects too, like the poor treatment of Okeke rape survivors, who are shunned because they are "ruined." Nnedi handles each subject upfront; the more violent scenes were not gratuitous and didn't make me feel uncomfortable reading it, though I'll give this book a trigger warning.

Yet Onyesonwu's tale is much more than the harshness of her world. It's also very much a story about women finding strength in themselves and in their friendships. It's about sex used in all its forms: as part of violent oppression, intrinsic desire, and personal liberation. It's about the mysterious spirit world where demons called masquerades walk the land and dragons fly in the air and tribes can manipulate sand storms (reminding me of the sand benders from Avatar: The Last Airbender). It's also very much a coming-of-age story as Onyesonwu seeks to affirm her personal and magical identity. And the core strength of the book lies in its ability to take readers to places that are at turns dark, mythical, brutal and wondrous.

After finishing this book, I talked with Nnedi about her career and the challenges she's faced when writing WHO FEARS DEATH.

Read more on BeyondVictoriana.com