Lisa Jane Smith

Lisa Jane Smith (1958–2025), known professionally as L.J. Smith, was an American author of young-adult fiction best known for creating The Vampire Diaries, later adapted into a television series on The CW. She also wrote the Night World, The Secret Circle, Dark Visions and The Forbidden Game series.

She studied experimental psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and worked as a teacher before turning to writing full time. Smith's direct involvement with The Vampire Diaries ended after The Return: Midnight (2011); later spin-off installments published under her name, including the Stefan's Diaries and Hunters books, were written by ghostwriters.