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Khaleej Times
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
'Vampire Diaries' author LJ Smith passes away at 66
Author LJ Smith, whose bestselling novel series Vampire Diaries, were adapted for a hit TV show of the same name, passed away at the age of 66, reported Deadline. Referring to a New York Times report, Deadline said the bestselling author died on March 8 in Walnut Creek, Calif, after suffering the effects of a rare autoimmune disease for a decade. A statement on the author's website said she died "peacefully" after a "long bout" of illness. It also described the author as a person with a "kind and gentle" soul whose brilliance, creativity and resilience helped improve the lives of her family, friends and fans. It said, "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." Smith published the original four-book series, about two vampire brothers and an orphaned young woman, in 1991 and 1992, before they were turned into a hit TV show that debuted in 2009. She wrote another trilogy in 2009-11. The TV show Vampire Diaries starred Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder in the lead roles. Smith also wrote a series of Night World novels that featured vampire stories. Nine books in this series were published between 1996 and 1998. Dark Visions and The Forbidden Game were the other trilogies that the author wrote, reported Deadline. Her trilogy The Secret Circle was published in 1992 and adapted into a TV drama in 2011. According to the author's website, the author is survived by her long-time friend Julie Divola; her younger sister, Judy Clifford; Judy's children, Lauren Clifford and Brian Clifford; Brian's wife, Taylor Acampora; and Lauren's son, Wyatt Nicholson.
The Independent
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Lisa Jane Smith, author of Vampire Diaries, dies aged 66 after ‘long bout' of illness
The author of the hit supernatural series The Vampire Diaries has died aged 66. American writer Lisa Jane Smith created the stories of the warring vampire brothers which were turned into a popular show of the same name starring Nina Dobrev, Ian Somerhalder, and Paul Wesley. She was known professionally as LJ Smith. A statement on her website said she died 'peacefully' on March 8 after a 'long bout' of illness. It added: '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.' Born on September 4, 1958 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, she grew up in the Southern California town of Villa Park. Smith, from Danville, California, authored other series including Night World books, The Forbidden Game trilogies, and the Wildworld series. Her first novel, The Night Of The Solstice, was published in 1987, before the then teacher was asked to write The Vampire Diaries volumes by a book packager. She wrote further books in the series from the 1990s to the 2010s, before her contract was ended and ghostwriter Aubrey Clark took over. Smith told Salt Lake Magazine in 2012 that she gave up her rights on the series, 'including the right to continue writing', under the contract she had with the company. She said the company told her that her 'services were no longer required' because 'they wanted shorter books that were promoting the television series'. Smith later put out fan fiction about the novels through Amazon's Kindle books. The Vampire Diaries ended in 2017, after eight seasons which mainly saw Stefan (Wesley) and Damon (Somerhalder) Salvatore compete for the love of the human Elena Gilbert (Dobrev). It spawned spin-off shows The Originals, and Legacies, which aired in the US on The CW network. The statement on Smith's website also said: 'She is survived by her devoted long-time friend, Julie Divola, her beloved younger sister, Judy Clifford, Judy's children, Lauren Clifford and Brian Clifford, Brian's wife, Taylor Acampora, and Lauren's son, Wyatt Nicholson.'
BBC News
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
LJ Smith: Vampire Diaries author dies at 66
Author LJ Smith, whose best-selling Vampire Diaries novels were turned into a hit TV show, has died at the age of Jane Smith published the original four-book series, about a love triangle involving two vampire brothers and an orphaned young woman, in 1991 and 92, before releasing another Vampire Diaries trilogy in she was dropped from her own book series and replaced by new authors by publishers, but Smith continued releasing new instalments unofficially as fan official books were adapted for TV in 2009 and the show became a teen favourite over its eight years. Described by the Guardian as a "deliciously pulpy supernatural soap opera", the TV version was part of a craze for vampire stories that also included Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Twilight and True show won a total of 30 Teen Choice Awards including six consecutive prizes for best fantasy/sci-fi actress for Nina Dobrev, who played Elena for the first six starred alongside Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder as brothers Stefan and Damon Salvatore. Fan fiction comeback Smith had originally been hired to write the novel series by a book packager - who sold them to a publisher - under a deal where they, not she, owned the said the packager dropped her in 2011 and handed over her unpublished eighth instalment to an anonymous ghostwriter, who went on to publish two further Vampire Diaries series was then handed on to an author using the pen name Aubrey Clark for three more. However, Smith's remained the most prominent name on the book covers as the series author said the situation left her feeling "trashed" and "mutilated".However, she went some way to reclaiming her creation when the Vampire Diaries was added to an Amazon Kindle scheme granting official permission for anyone to publish fan fiction linked to existing launched a new unofficial Vampire Diaries trilogy through that scheme, which picked up where her last official book left was also known for the Night World novels, which also feature vampires as well as witches, werewolves and shapeshifters, who secretly live among the human Night World volumes were published between 1996 and 98, before Smith took a decade-long break from writing. She said it was a result of writer's block while two family members dealt with The Secret Circle trilogy, published in 1992, was also turned into a TV drama in 2011. She also wrote the Dark Visions and The Forbidden Game trilogies.A statement on her website said: "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."
See - Sada Elbalad
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- See - Sada Elbalad
L.J. Smith, "The Vampire Diaries" Author, Dies at 66
Yara Sameh L.J. Smith, the writer of 'The Vampire Diaries' books that was adapted into a popular television series on The CW, died March 8 at the age of 66. Smith's sister Judy Clifford confirmed the death to The New York Times . Smith had a long bout with an autoimmune disease and died in Walnut Creek, Calif. Smith was born 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 Smith published was 'The Night of the Solstice,' a fantasy book that she had begun 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 adaptation debuted in 2009 and continued until 2017. Nina Dobrev starred as Elena Gilbert, who caught the eye of vampires Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley). Although Smith had only received a small advance for the first few books in 'The Vampire Diaries' series, she had another deal with Alloy Entertainment in the 2000s to extend it with a trilogy addition. She was dismissed in 2011, and the rest of the series was ghostwritten. Smith later turned to writing fan fiction from the 'Vampire Diaries' world as a way to further what she'd previously built. Divola told The New York Times that Smith was 'very hurt and indignant' when a ghostwriter took over the series. Smith also penned the young adult series 'Dark Visions' and 'Night World' as well as 'The Secret Circle' (the basis of another but short-lived CW adaptation). The writer also finished a novel called 'Lullaby' and two more 'Night World' books before her death. Smith is survived by her partner, sister, nephew, niece and grandnephew. read more New Tourism Route To Launch in Old Cairo Ahmed El Sakka-Led Play 'Sayidati Al Jamila' to Be Staged in KSA on Dec. 6 Mandy Moore Joins Season 2 of "Dr. Death" Anthology Series Don't Miss These Movies at 44th Cairo Int'l Film Festival Today Amr Diab to Headline KSA's MDLBEAST Soundstorm 2022 Festival Arts & Culture Mai Omar Stuns in Latest Instagram Photos Arts & Culture "The Flash" to End with Season 9 Arts & Culture Ministry of Culture Organizes four day Children's Film Festival Arts & Culture Canadian PM wishes Muslims Eid-al-Adha News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Lifestyle Pistachio and Raspberry Cheesecake Domes Recipe Videos & Features Bouchra Dahlab Crowned Miss Arab World 2025 .. Reem Ganzoury Wins Miss Arab Africa Title (VIDEO) News Ireland Replaces Former Israeli Embassy with Palestinian Museum News Israeli PM Diagnosed with Stage 3 Prostate Cancer Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Lifestyle Maguy Farah Reveals 2025 Expectations for Pisces News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies
Los Angeles Times
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
L.J. Smith, whose ‘Vampire Diaries' books inspired CW series, dies at 66
Author L.J. Smith, who created the 'Vampire Diaries' book series that inspired the CW drama of the same name and contributed to pop culture's obsession with vampires, has died. Smith died March 8 in a hospital in Walnut Creek, Calif., The Times confirmed. A statement shared to Smith's website says she died 'peacefully' after 'a long bout with illness.' The author's partner Julie Divola and sister Judy Clifford confirmed to the New York Times on Wednesday that Smith, a Danville, Calif., resident, died 'after enduring the cascading effects of a rare autoimmune disease for a decade.' She was 66. 'Lisa was a kind and gentle soul, whose brilliance, creativity, resilience and empathy, illuminated the lives of her family, friends and fans alike,' the announcement on Smith's website said. '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. Smith, who was born in Florida in September 1958,, wrote several young-adult book series including 'Night World' and 'The Secret Circle' but was best known for creating the 'Vampire Diaries' novels. Smith's inaugural entries for the fantasy series famously laid the groundwork for the CW adaptation of the same name by producers Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson. The CW's 'Vampire Diaries,' riding off of pop culture's vampire obsession reignited by Stephenie Meyer's 'Twilight' series and film adaptations, aired from 2009 to 2017. 'Vampire Diaries' starred Nina Dobrev as teenager Elena Gilbert, who finds herself in a love triangle between vampire brothers Damon Salvatore (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan Salvatore (Paul Wesley) while navigating the less-mythical throes of high school and moving on from her past. Smith grew up in Southern California and began writing as a child. She published her debut fantasy novel, 'The Night of the Solstice,' in 1987, according to her website, and caught the attention of an editor at Alloy Entertainment. Alloy signed Smith to begin its 'Vampire Diaries' book series, according to NYT. She published the first four 'Vampire Diaries' books from 1991 to 1992. Alloy hired Smith on a work-for-hire contract — meaning she did not own the rights to her characters — but she did not realize it at the time, the Wall Street Journal reported in 2014. Years after entering the literary scene, Smith took a hiatus from writing to deal with family matters, including her mother's death. She reentered the world of 'Vampire Diaries' in 2007 amid the success of Meyer's vampire franchise. She struck another deal with Alloy to pen more 'Vampire Diaries' books, published in 2009 and 2010. Shortly after, Smith parted ways with HarperCollins (which bought the 'Vampire Diaries' book series) and Alloy, reportedly over creative differences. Despite this, Alloy hired a ghostwriter to write new novels and complete the 'Vampire Diaries' series. 'I didn't realize that they could take the series away from me,' Smith told the WSJ in 2014. 'I was heartbroken.' Though Smith turned her focus to other work after the fallout with Alloy and HarperCollins, she ultimately picked up 'Vampire Diaries' where she left off — writing the story her way through fan fiction. In Amazon's now-defunct Kindle Worlds fan-fiction publishing platform, Smith reclaimed her beloved characters in informal 'Vampire Diaries' entries. Smith's writing portfolio also included short stories that she published on her website. She most recently finished the latest books in her 'Night World' and 'Strange Fate' series and the adult book 'Lullaby,' according to her website. In an entry in her FAQ, Smith says 'I didn't choose or decide' to become a writer. 'I have been a storyteller since before I learned how to read or write,' she said. 'I knew from my earliest childhood — the first things I remember— that I would only be happy as a storyteller.' Smith is also survived by her sister Judy Clifford; her niece Lauren Clifford and Lauren's son Wyatt; and her nephew Brian Clifford and his wife, Taylor Acampora.
