L.J. Smith, ‘The Vampire Diaries’ Author, Dies at 66
L.J. Smith, the talented author behind the beloved “The Vampire Diaries” book series, passed away on March 8 at the age of 66. Her partner, Julie Divola, and sister, Judy Clifford, confirmed her death due to a long battle with an autoimmune disease in Walnut Creek, California.
Born Lisa Jane Smith on September 4, 1958, in Florida, Smith spent her formative years in California. She pursued a degree in experimental psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and initially worked as a teacher in special education and kindergarten.
Smith’s literary journey began with the publication of her first novel, “The Night of the Solstice,” a fantasy book that she started writing during high school. This led to a successful deal with Alloy Entertainment to create “The Vampire Diaries” series, which debuted in 1991 with three initial books followed by a fourth in 1992.
The popularity of “The Vampire Diaries” extended beyond the books, as the television adaptation premiered in 2009 and ran until 2017. The series starred Nina Dobrev as Elena Gilbert, who becomes entangled with the vampire brothers Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley).
Despite the success of the series, Smith faced challenges within the publishing industry. She received only a small advance for the initial books and was later replaced by a ghostwriter for the continuation of the series in 2011. This decision left Smith feeling hurt and indignant, leading her to explore fan fiction within the “Vampire Diaries” universe.
In addition to “The Vampire Diaries,” Smith also authored other young adult series such as “Dark Visions,” “Night World,” and “The Secret Circle,” which was adapted into a short-lived CW series. Before her passing, Smith completed a novel titled “Lullaby” and two more books in the “Night World” series.
Smith is survived by her partner, sister, nephew, niece, and grandnephew. Her legacy as a prolific writer and creator of captivating fictional worlds will continue to inspire readers and fans for years to come.
