L.J. Smith

L.J. Smith, author of the popular "Vampire Diaries" series of books, which were adapted into a hit television show of the same name, died March 8, 2025, after a long illness in Walnut Creek, California at the age of 66.

Smith launched her series in 1991 after retiring from a brief career as a teacher, starting with "The Awakening." The initial four books in the series were followed by a new trilogy in 2009, in conjunction with the launch of the CW television adaptation. However, under her publishing contract, Smith did not own the rights to her characters and stories, and she was removed from the series due to creative differences with her publisher. Subsequent books were written by ghostwriters. Starting in 2014, she chose to continue the story on her own terms, writing unofficial "fan fiction" sequels to her own work, which she self-published on Amazon. Smith also wrote other series for young adults, including "Night World," "Dark Visions," and "The Secret Circle."

Writer Jennifer L. Bratcher-Barnes said Smith's passing was a loss to the book-loving community. "I've been thinking a lot about how her books influenced my writing. And how, unlike other influences, she did not turn out to be a horrible person, but extremely kind and enthusiastic about her craft," she wrote on Facebook. "I feel like I've lost a mentor … I learned how to write prose from L.J Smith."

(Image: L.J. Smith via Simon & Schuster)