The story ends too soon: Beloved author passes away at 66 after remarkable late-career revival
- Replies 0
A beloved figure in contemporary fiction has passed, leaving behind a legacy that touched generations of readers.
Known for shaping a genre and inspiring countless fans, the author’s recent passing at 66 has prompted an outpouring of remembrance and gratitude.
Her imagination, determination, and impact on the literary world will not soon be forgotten.
The literary world is in mourning following the loss of a true pioneer in young adult fiction. LJ Smith, the creative force behind the cultural phenomenon The Vampire Diaries, has passed away at the age of 66 after a valiant struggle with a rare autoimmune disease.
Her death, announced by her partner Julie Divola, marks the end of an era for fans and fellow writers alike, who admired Smith for her imaginative storytelling and resilience in the face of industry challenges.
LJ Smith's journey as an author began with modest success. Her debut novel, The Night of the Solstice, published in 1987, sold a mere 5,000 copies but was enough to catch the eye of Alloy Entertainment.
The book firm, known for developing concepts and pairing them with writers to bring them to life, recognized Smith's potential and presented her with the opportunity to write The Vampire Diaries during a time when vampire stories were a hot commodity in the literary market.
Despite the series' eventual massive success, Smith's early experiences in the industry were fraught with financial and creative obstacles.
She candidly admitted to writing the initial books for a pittance, unaware that she would not retain copyright or ownership of the characters she so lovingly crafted.
The first three books of The Vampire Diaries were released in 1991, followed by a fourth in 1992, but the financial rewards were far from what one might expect given the series' popularity.
The following years were challenging for Smith, both personally and professionally.
She grappled with writer's block and faced the heartache of her mother's death from lung cancer, as well as her brother's battle with Stage 4 melanoma, from which he thankfully recovered.
It wasn't until the mid-2000s, with the vampire genre's resurgence—propelled by the Twilight saga—that Smith's fortunes took a turn for the better.
Source: MsMojo / Youtube.
The Vampire Diaries experienced a revival in sales, and Smith was brought back by Alloy Entertainment to continue the series, this time with a contract that granted her half the royalties.
The books soared in popularity, selling over five million copies and spawning an eight-season television adaptation on the CW Network, cementing Smith's status as a household name.
However, the relationship between Smith and Alloy Entertainment soured, leading to her dismissal in 2011 due to “creative differences.”
Yet, the indomitable spirit that characterized Smith's career shone through as she took to the internet to continue The Vampire Diaries through fan fiction.
Her online works resonated with fans who preferred her original vision over the ghostwritten installments that still bore her name.
Smith's determination to reclaim her narrative became an inspiration to authors everywhere, symbolizing the power of creative control and the bond between a writer and their work.
Source: @thebookwasbetter / Youtube.
Her partner, Divola, shared that Smith felt deeply hurt and indignant after being fired and witnessing her beloved series continue without her direct involvement.
Despite this, Smith's legacy as an author who persevered through industry adversity, personal trials, and the ever-changing tides of literary trends remains intact.
In 2014, the Wall Street Journal hailed her career revival as “one of the strangest comebacks in literary history,” a testament to Smith's unique place in the annals of young adult fiction.
Smith passed away on March 8 in Walnut Creek, California, with her partner Divola announcing her death only this week, revealing that she passed away after fighting her rare autoimmune disease for more than 10 years.
As we reflect on the life and work of LJ Smith, we at The GrayVine invite our readers to share their memories of The Vampire Diaries and its impact on their lives. Did you find solace in the supernatural world Smith created? How did her characters resonate with you? Join us in celebrating the legacy of a literary legend in the comments below!
Known for shaping a genre and inspiring countless fans, the author’s recent passing at 66 has prompted an outpouring of remembrance and gratitude.
Her imagination, determination, and impact on the literary world will not soon be forgotten.
The literary world is in mourning following the loss of a true pioneer in young adult fiction. LJ Smith, the creative force behind the cultural phenomenon The Vampire Diaries, has passed away at the age of 66 after a valiant struggle with a rare autoimmune disease.
Her death, announced by her partner Julie Divola, marks the end of an era for fans and fellow writers alike, who admired Smith for her imaginative storytelling and resilience in the face of industry challenges.
LJ Smith's journey as an author began with modest success. Her debut novel, The Night of the Solstice, published in 1987, sold a mere 5,000 copies but was enough to catch the eye of Alloy Entertainment.
The book firm, known for developing concepts and pairing them with writers to bring them to life, recognized Smith's potential and presented her with the opportunity to write The Vampire Diaries during a time when vampire stories were a hot commodity in the literary market.
Beloved author LJ Smith passed away aged 66 after a battle with a rare autoimmune disease. Image source: @forbesbr / Instagram.
Despite the series' eventual massive success, Smith's early experiences in the industry were fraught with financial and creative obstacles.
She candidly admitted to writing the initial books for a pittance, unaware that she would not retain copyright or ownership of the characters she so lovingly crafted.
The first three books of The Vampire Diaries were released in 1991, followed by a fourth in 1992, but the financial rewards were far from what one might expect given the series' popularity.
The following years were challenging for Smith, both personally and professionally.
She grappled with writer's block and faced the heartache of her mother's death from lung cancer, as well as her brother's battle with Stage 4 melanoma, from which he thankfully recovered.
It wasn't until the mid-2000s, with the vampire genre's resurgence—propelled by the Twilight saga—that Smith's fortunes took a turn for the better.
Source: MsMojo / Youtube.
The Vampire Diaries experienced a revival in sales, and Smith was brought back by Alloy Entertainment to continue the series, this time with a contract that granted her half the royalties.
The books soared in popularity, selling over five million copies and spawning an eight-season television adaptation on the CW Network, cementing Smith's status as a household name.
However, the relationship between Smith and Alloy Entertainment soured, leading to her dismissal in 2011 due to “creative differences.”
Yet, the indomitable spirit that characterized Smith's career shone through as she took to the internet to continue The Vampire Diaries through fan fiction.
Her online works resonated with fans who preferred her original vision over the ghostwritten installments that still bore her name.
Smith's determination to reclaim her narrative became an inspiration to authors everywhere, symbolizing the power of creative control and the bond between a writer and their work.
Source: @thebookwasbetter / Youtube.
Her partner, Divola, shared that Smith felt deeply hurt and indignant after being fired and witnessing her beloved series continue without her direct involvement.
Despite this, Smith's legacy as an author who persevered through industry adversity, personal trials, and the ever-changing tides of literary trends remains intact.
In 2014, the Wall Street Journal hailed her career revival as “one of the strangest comebacks in literary history,” a testament to Smith's unique place in the annals of young adult fiction.
Smith passed away on March 8 in Walnut Creek, California, with her partner Divola announcing her death only this week, revealing that she passed away after fighting her rare autoimmune disease for more than 10 years.
As we reflect on the life and work of LJ Smith, we at The GrayVine invite our readers to share their memories of The Vampire Diaries and its impact on their lives. Did you find solace in the supernatural world Smith created? How did her characters resonate with you? Join us in celebrating the legacy of a literary legend in the comments below!
Last edited:
