Washington [US]: The literary world is mourning the loss of L.J. Smith, the beloved author of The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle series, who passed away on March 8 at the age of 66 after battling a rare autoimmune disease for over a decade.
A statement on her official website, theljsmith.com, remembered her as “a kind and gentle soul, whose brilliance, creativity, resilience, and empathy illuminated the lives of her family, friends, and fans alike.”
Legacy of a Literary Icon
Smith’s career spanned over three decades, during which she penned several bestselling novels. Her most famous work, The Vampire Diaries, was adapted into a hit TV show in 2009, running for eight seasons and winning 30 Teen Choice Awards. The show launched the careers of Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley, and Ian Somerhalder, cementing its place in pop culture.
In addition to The Vampire Diaries, Smith wrote:
📖 The Secret Circle trilogy (adapted into a TV show in 2011)
📖 The Night World series
📖 Dark Visions trilogy
📖 The Forbidden Game trilogy
Challenges and Resilience
Despite her success, Smith faced professional setbacks. In 2011, her publishers dropped her from The Vampire Diaries series, as they owned the rights to the books. However, she continued to write and publish additional installments independently through Amazon’s Kindle Worlds program, demonstrating her dedication to storytelling and her fans.
Her impact on the young adult fantasy and paranormal fiction genres remains immeasurable, inspiring a generation of readers and writers alike.
Rest in peace, L.J. Smith. Your stories will live on. 🖤