LJ Smith, Author Of The Vampire Diaries, Dies At 66
Her writing career spanned over two decades, during which she authored more than 24 books.
LJ Smith, the acclaimed author of The Vampire Diaries novels, passed away at 66 on March 8 in Walnut Creek, California. Her partner, Julie Divola, confirmed the news to The New York Times, revealing that Smith died in a hospital following a prolonged battle with a rare autoimmune disease. The news was also shared on her official website.
Born Lisa Jane Smith on September 4, 1958, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Smith’s family later relocated to Southern California, where she was raised in Villa Park. Inspired by her literary idols, JRR. Tolkien and CS Lewis. She adopted her pen name, LJ Smith, as a tribute to them. She pursued her studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, earning a Bachelor of Arts in experimental psychology in 1982. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a kindergarten and special education teacher.
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Smith’s writing career spanned over two decades, during which she authored more than 24 books, with three unpublished works reportedly left behind at the time of her passing. Her journey as an author began in high school when she started writing her first fantasy novel, The Night of the Solstice. The book later attracted the attention of Alloy Entertainment, a publishing company that commissioned her to write The Vampire Diaries as a young adult response to Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire. The first book in the series was released in 1991 and soon gained a dedicated fan base.
The Vampire Diaries novels follow the story of high school student Elena Gilbert, who becomes entangled in a love triangle with two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Though initially published by HarperCollins in the early 1990s, the books found new popularity in the mid-2000s when The CW adapted them into a television series. Starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder, the show debuted in 2009 and became one of the most successful supernatural dramas of its time, solidifying Smith’s legacy in vampire fiction.
Despite her success, Smith faced challenges in her career. Unaware that her contract with Alloy Entertainment was a work-for-hire agreement, she was dismissed from writing The Vampire Diaries series and replaced by a ghostwriter. This led to an extended break from publishing. She made a return in the 2010s, reclaiming her characters through fan fiction and continuing to write despite her declining health.
John Silbersack, Smith’s agent, described her unwavering passion for storytelling: “She had been quite ill, but despite the difficulties and the pain, she was fiercely dedicated to continuing to write."
Smith is survived by her partner, Julie Divola. The couple did not have any children. Her impact on the young adult genre and vampire fiction remains profound, with her work continuing to inspire readers and writers worldwide.
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