Lisa Jane Smith

Lisa Jane Smith, born September 4, 1958, was an American author recognized for her extensive work in young adult fiction, particularly in the supernatural genre. She gained significant recognition for her best-selling series, The Vampire Diaries, which was later adapted into a popular television series. Her other notable works include the Night World and The Secret Circle series. Smith's early life included growing up in California and receiving encouragement to write from a high school teacher. She pursued higher education in psychology and teaching credentials before embarking on her writing career.

Smith began her professional writing after a period as an elementary school teacher. Her initial novels, The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor, published in the late 1980s, did not achieve commercial success as they were miscategorized for a younger audience. However, her subsequent series, The Vampire Diaries, commissioned in 1990, became a major success, leading to multiple trilogies and spin-offs. Her career also saw periods of hiatus, including a decade-long break starting in 1998 to care for her sister's children and during which her mother passed away. Smith passed away on March 8, 2025, at the age of 66, following complications from an autoimmune disease.

Born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on September 4, 1958, Lisa Jane Smith spent her formative years in Villa Park, California. Her passion for writing was ignited during her time at Villa Park High School, where an English teacher, Zoe Gibbs, fostered her confidence. Smith's academic pursuits included experimental psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and obtaining teaching credentials from San Francisco State University. She initially worked as an elementary school teacher but transitioned to writing full-time in 1989. Smith often cited an early childhood experience, where a teacher's praise for a poem, however flawed, sparked her lifelong ambition to be a writer.

Smith's literary career began with the publication of 'The Night of the Solstice' in 1987, followed by 'Heart of Valor' in 1990. These early works, intended for young adults, were marketed to a younger demographic, limiting their initial success. A significant turning point came in 1990 when Alloy Entertainment commissioned 'The Vampire Diaries' series. Smith drew inspiration for the series' setting in Virginia from her family connections and the local landscape. This series, along with others like 'Night World' and 'The Secret Circle,' achieved considerable popularity, with 'The Vampire Diaries' eventually adapted into a television series. Smith also explored other series such as 'The Forbidden Game' and 'Dark Visions'.

Following the initial success of her series, Smith took a ten-year hiatus from writing, starting in 1998, to attend to family matters, including caring for her sister's children and dealing with her mother's passing. She returned to writing in 2008, launching a new website and releasing new short stories. During this period, her existing works, including 'The Vampire Diaries,' 'The Secret Circle,' and 'Night World' series, were reissued. However, her later involvement with 'The Vampire Diaries' and 'The Secret Circle' series saw a shift in publishing practices, with subsequent installments being completed by ghostwriters after disputes over creative direction, as was the case with 'The Hunters: Phantom' and 'The Secret Circle' series.

Lisa Jane Smith's personal life included a significant period of absence from her writing career beginning in 1998, dedicated to family responsibilities. During this decade-long hiatus, she cared for her sister's children and experienced the loss of her mother. Smith resided in California for much of her life. In late 2015, she faced a severe health crisis, nearly succumbing to an undiagnosed autoimmune disorder, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, which resulted in prolonged hospitalization and significant organ damage. Smith passed away on March 8, 2025, in Walnut Creek, California, at the age of 66, due to complications arising from an autoimmune condition. At the time of her death, she was in a relationship with attorney Julie Divola.

“when a teacher praised a horrible poem I'd written”