American writer Lisa Jane Smith, renowned for her work on "The Vampire Diaries," has passed away at the age of 66. According to reports from The Wall Street Journal, Smith died on March 8, 2025, after a prolonged battle with a rare autoimmune disease in California. Her partner, Julie Duvo, and her sister, Judy Cliffford, confirmed that Smith succumbed in the hospital following a decade of health struggles.
Born on September 4, 1958, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Smith's family soon relocated to Southern California. Growing up in Villa Park, her fascination with magic, fantasy, and the supernatural flourished amidst the neighboring orange groves. Her sister noted that their father's imaginative stories, which included tales of keeping a tiger in the trunk of his car and being stranded on Martian land, sparked Smith's creativity.
Smith's literary career took off with the publication of her first fantasy novel, "Night of the Solstice," in 1987. Despite initially selling only around 5,000 copies, the book caught the attention of Alloy Entertainment, a company known for producing and packaging books, which later became part of Warner Brothers. This marked the beginning of a remarkable journey for Smith, who would go on to publish more than two dozen books.
In her notable series "The Vampire Diaries," Smith introduced readers to a love triangle involving high school student Elena Gilbert and vampire brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore. The first three books were published by HarperCollins in 1991, with the fourth following in 1992. However, Smith later revealed to The Wall Street Journal that she was unaware she was working on a "work for hire" basis, meaning she did not retain the rights to her characters or stories.
Throughout the late 1990s, Smith faced a challenging period in her career, compounded by personal tragedies, including the death of her mother from lung cancer and a family member's battle with stage IV melanoma. Despite these difficulties, the popularity of vampire fiction surged, particularly with the success of Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series. By 2007, the renewed interest in vampire narratives led to a resurgence in sales for "The Vampire Diaries," prompting Smith to sign a new contract to continue the series.
In 2009, "The Vampire Diaries" was adapted into a successful television series that aired for eight seasons on The CW Network. By 2014, over 5 million copies of the book series had been sold. However, during this time, Smith was no longer involved in writing the authorized versions of her books. She was let go by Alloy Entertainment in 2011 due to creative differences, and the publisher subsequently hired a ghostwriter to complete the series.
Despite the challenges, Smith found a way to reconnect with her characters through fan fiction. In 2013, Amazon launched Kindle Worlds, a platform that allowed authors to create stories based on licensed works. Smith became one of the few well-known authors to engage in fan fiction, publishing a novel and a sequel as an informal continuation of "The Vampire Diaries." Her partner, Divola, remarked that Smith turned to this avenue after feeling deeply hurt by her dismissal from the series.
In addition to "The Vampire Diaries," Smith authored several other popular series for young adults, including "Night World," "Dark Visions," and "The Secret Circle," both of which were also adapted for television. Her writing was characterized by strong female protagonists and themes of justice and compassion, reflecting her own values.
Smith's legacy in the literary world is profound, with millions of copies of her works sold and a lasting impact on the genre of supernatural fiction. Her ability to weave compelling narratives and create relatable characters has resonated with readers across generations.
As news of her passing spread, tributes poured in from fans and fellow authors alike, highlighting the influence she had on the world of young adult literature. Smith's contributions to the genre will not be forgotten, as her stories continue to inspire and captivate new audiences.
Earlier this month, the entertainment industry was also rocked by the sudden death of actress Michelle Trachtenberg, known for her roles in popular series such as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and "Gossip Girl." Trachtenberg, who was only 39, had recently undergone a liver transplant and was found deceased by her mother. Reports indicate that she died of natural causes.
