LJ Smith, ‘The Vampire Diaries’ author, dies at 66
LJ Smith, the writer of “The Vampire Diaries” books that were adapted in a television series at the CW, died on March 8 at the age of 66.
Smith’s partner, Julie Divola, and sister, Judy Clifford, Death confirmed The New York Times. Smith had a long competition with a car -immune disease and died in Walnut Creek, Calif.
Smith was born on September 4, 1958 as Lisa Jane Smith, in Florida and grew up in California. She studied experimental psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara and initially worked as a special education and kindergarten teacher.
The first novel that Smith published was ‘The Night of the Solstice’, a fantasy book that she had started as a high school student. It led to a deal with Alloy Entertainment to write ‘The Vampire Diaries’. The series started with three books published in 1991, followed by the fourth in 1992.
The TV adjustment debuted in 2009 and continued until 2017. Nina Dobrev played as Elena Gilbert, who attracts Vampiers Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley).
Although Smith had only received a small advance for the first few books in the ‘The Vampire Diaries’ series, in the 2000s she still had a deal with alloyance to expand it with a trilogy addition. She was fired in 2011 and the rest of the series was Ghostwritten.
Smith later turned to write fan fiction from the world ‘Vampire Diaries’ as a way to continue what she had built before. Divola told the New York Times that Smith was “very wounded and indignant” then a ghostwriter took over the series.
Smith also wrote the young adult series “Dark Visions” and “Night World”, as well as “The Secret Circle” (the basis of a different but short CW adjustment). The writer also completed a novel called “Lullaby” and two more “Night World” books before her death.
Smith is survived by her partner, sister, a cousin, a niece and big cousin.
