Beloved author of The Vampire Diaries series L.J. Smith passes away at 66, leaving behind a legacy of imagination and inspiration.
L.J. Smith, the renowned author behind the captivating and best-selling The Vampire Diaries series, has sadly passed away at the age of 66. Her untimely demise was confirmed by her partner, ‘Julie Divola’ , and sister, Judy Clifford.
L.J. Smith is a pen name of Alexandra Cupidi, an American author known for writing young adult fiction novels, particularly the popular 'Vampire Diaries' series.
Born in 1942, Smith's writing career spans over four decades.
She has written numerous bestselling novels and short stories across various genres, including romance, mystery, and supernatural fiction.
The 'Vampire Diaries' series was adapted into a successful television show by The CW network.
Born ‘Lisa Jane Smith’ on September 4, 1958, in Walnut Creek, California, she was inspired to write by her high school English teacher, Zoe Gibbs. After studying psychology at the University of California in Santa Barbara and receiving her teaching credentials from San Francisco State University, Smith began her teaching career but left after three years to pursue writing full-time.
Early Writing Career and Publication
Smith’s first book, ‘The Night of the Solstice’ , was published by MacMillan in 1987. The same year, Alloy Entertainment editor Elise Donner commissioned her to start working on The Vampire Diaries. Although Smith didn’t realize at the time that she was writing for hire, she went on to become a prolific author of young adult fiction, creating several successful series, including The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, and Dark Visions.
Developed by Kevin Williamson and Julie Plec, The Vampire Diaries is a supernatural drama television series based on the book series of the same name.
The show premiered in 2009 and ran for eight seasons, concluding in 2017.
The series revolves around Elena Gilbert (Nina Dobrev) and her relationships with vampire brothers Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder).
The show explores themes of love, friendship, and the struggle between good and evil.
In 1996, Smith published the first book in her Night World series, which was followed by eight more books over the next two years. As vampire books experienced a resurgence in popularity during the mid-2000s, sales of The Vampire Diaries began to soar. She was contracted by Alloy Entertainment to write another trilogy in 2007, this time earning her half the royalties for the trio of books.
Night World refers to the period between sunset and sunrise, often associated with mystery and enchantment.
This time of day has captivated human imagination throughout history, inspiring literature, art, and music.
The night world is characterized by darkness, which can evoke feelings of fear or awe in people.
Many cultures have developed unique traditions and superstitions surrounding nighttime activities, such as nocturnal hunting or spiritual rituals.
Adaptation and Legacy
The series was adapted into a TV show in 2009, but Smith’s tenure as the official writer came to an abrupt end in 2011 due to a dispute over a pivotal plot point. Her draft of ‘The Hunters: Phantom’ was rewritten by a ghostwriter, and five more novels were also ghostwritten. Undeterred, Smith turned to fan fiction to reclaim her characters. In 2014, she used Kindle Worlds to publish a book and novella continuing the storylines she had created.
In 2015, Smith was hospitalized after suffering an undiagnosed granulomatosis with polyangiitis that damaged her kidneys, heart, liver, and gallbladder. Her dedication to her craft and her unwavering passion for storytelling have left a lasting impact on the literary world, and she will be deeply missed by fans of The Vampire Diaries series.
A Legacy of Imagination and Inspiration
Smith’s legacy extends beyond her beloved books, inspiring countless readers with her imagination and creativity. As we remember her life and work, we honor the enduring power of storytelling to captivate and inspire us.
- eonline.com | L.J. Smith, Author of Vampire Diaries Novels, Dead at 66
- nytimes.com | L.J. Smith, Author of Vampire Diaries Book Series, Dies at 66 The ...
- the-independent.com | LJ Smith death: Vampire Diaries author dies aged 66 The ...
