L.J. Smith, New York Times bestselling author of the Vampire Diaries series, passed away peacefully on March 8 after suffering effects of a rare autoimmune disease for a decade. She was 66.
“Her novels not only entertained, but also offered solace and inspiration, making her a cherished companion to readers around the world,” reads a statement on the author’s official website.
“Lisa was a kind and gentle soul, whose brilliance, creativity, resilience and empathy, illuminated the lives of her family, friends and fans alike. She will be remembered for her imaginative spirit, her pioneering role in supernatural fiction, and her generosity, warmth and heart, both on and off the page.”
The first four Vampire Diaries novels — The Awakening, The Struggle, The Fury, and Dark Reunion — were published in 1991 and 1992. They spawned the popular CW supernatural teen drama series, which ran for eight seasons from 2009 to 2017. Smith wrote a new trilogy, dubbed The Vampire Diaries: The Return, between 2009 and 2011.
Smith’s other novel series include Night World, The Secret Circle, Dark Vision, and The Forbidden Game.
