Happy Valentine’s Day!
To My Dearest Readers, Hello, my beautiful lovelies! On this day of warmth and affection, I want to celebrate not...
Gone, but not forgotten…
Lisa Jane Smith
September 4th, 1958 – March 8th, 2025
Lisa Jane Smith of Danville, California passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 8, 2025, after a long bout with illness.
Known to her readers as L.J. Smith, Lisa was a New York Times bestselling author of young-adult fiction. Of the more than 29 books she authored over the course of her career, she was best known for the Vampire Diaries series, (later adapted into a hit television show) and the Night World series. Having also written The Secret Circle, Dark Visions, and The Forbidden Game trilogies, as well as the Wildworld books, The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor. Her novels not only entertained, but also offered solace and inspiration, making her a cherished companion to readers around the world.
Lisa was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on her father’s birthday, to Kathryn J. Smith and Glenn C. Smith. She grew up in Southern California, in the small town of Villa Park. She is survived by her devoted long-time friend and partner, 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.
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.
“Nothing really dies as long as it’s not forgotten.” –L.J. Smith
L.J. Smith Legacy Contests
As the leaves begin to change and we welcome fall and the spooky count-down to Halloween, we’ve decided to make this one extra memorable for all the L.J. Smith fans out there. If you were ever bummed to have missed out on Lisa’s previous contests, you’re in luck! A new game is afoot, here on the website and in the Official Facebook group. To take a chance and win a gift from the prize vault see complete rules and regulations below.
Winner’s Circle
1st place: #74–Toni Miller awarded:
The Forbidden Game super theme prize.
2nd place: #212–Laura R. awarded:
Grand prize pack (1).
3rd place: #24–Heather Sharples awarded:
Grand prize pack (2).
4th place: #298–Jasmine Bearden awarded:
Grand prize pack (3).
5th place: #161–Pending permission/anonymous awarded:
Grand prize pack (4).
6th place: #36–Zoe Jane awarded:
Grand prize pack (5).
7th place: #321–Rebecca Groat awarded:
1st runner up.
8th place: #232–Danielle Cook awarded:
2nd runner up.
9th place: #52–Misty Hinton awarded:
3rd runner up.
10th place: #370–Meranda Tuttle awarded:
4th runner up.
11th place: #17–Sanyuktama Kamulsing awarded:
5th runner up.
12th place: #46–Ciara RakshaMalayka Griffen awarded:
6th runner up.
13th place: #18–Petra Roone Cailleach awarded:
7th runner up.
14th place: #296–Paula Vizcaino awarded:
8th runner up.
15th place: #80–Katie Rodriguez awarded:
9th runner up.
16th place: #119–Pending response, awarded:
10th runner up.
Congratulations to all of our lovely winners! Thank you all, so much, for your participation and dedication to keeping Lisa’s memory and Legacy alive. Your involvement means the world to us, and we’re honored to share in this celebration with you.
Love,
The L.J. Smith family.
Latest in Short Stories
L.J. Smith’s Night World Guide
Brought to Light
Written in the style of long-lost Circle Daybreak files, the Night World: Brought to Light guide is full of fun and obscure facts from the first nine Night World books. We went page by page, and line by line, to gather and organize the information, including some hidden bits from Strange Fate, not found in the first nine books.
Valentine’s Day Blog & Lullaby Excerpt
Excerpt From LULLABY
Excerpt from Lullaby, L.J. Smith's first novel for adults. Includes musical track "Gather Here," by Simon Eugene Music, commissioned by...
Excerpt from STRANGE FATE
The last battle has come; the Apocalypse is here. The lines have been drawn, and the Darkness is infusing its...
Meet L. J. Smith
New York Times #1 Best Seller
Hello, my lovelies! Lisa, here: L. J. Smith. Somehow I bribed the right people and came out with at least one #1 New York Times Bestseller, lol. Anyway, as you might know, I’ve written dozens of YA books, with themes of horror, fantasy, and romance. The big news is that I have recently finished the last two books in the Night World series, Strange Fate: Mystic, and Strange Fate: Apocalypse; as well as an adult book, Lullaby. They are all in final editing with my agent, the esteemed Mr. John Silbersack (john@thebentagency.com). Lullaby is also with John, and it is my first book for grown-up readers.
Write to me at lisa@theljsmith.com. Writing will constitute permission to post your comment or question unless you tell me otherwise.
Thank you, my loves, for reading this far! Happy Holidays to all.
Weaving Tales: My Journey as a Writer
It’s me once more, L.J. Smith. I want to tell you about my books. Including the three I have just finished and the Night World books, I believe I have written around 29. I’m American, although an avid fan of British and Japanese literature (and anime! Yes, I’m that much of a nerd!) My books are often about love triangles, quadrangles, etc., though not always. I have mainly written YA, although recently I have stepped into the world of adult fiction with the first book of the Lullaby trilogy. The books try to weave elements of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and romance, featuring both teenage and more-or-less ageless characters navigating that eternal struggle between light and darkness. My books are also about desire and redemption, with dark antagonists tempting young heroines to do wicked, wicked things.
My favorite books right now are the Night World series. This series includes my current number one fave (which one? Maybe I’ll tell after a poll. It’s not what you’d think!) as well as the two I have just finished writing: Strange Fate: Mystic and Strange Fate: Apocalypse.
The Night World books are all about humans finding soulmates among the Night People and the consequences of this discovery. But of all the heroines in Night World history, only one has the distinction of having two actual soulmates: Sarah Strange.
Thanks if you’ve read this far, my lovelies, and there is an excerpt from Strange Fate below.
Discover My
Book Collection
Hello, my lovelies! Here is where you can explore my book collection if you’d like. There are adventures meant to thrill, romances to warm you, horrors that jump out at you, and mysteries that baffle. There are series like The Vampire Diaries and the Night World, as well as some lesser-known trilogies and sequels.
Volume I: The Awakening
The Awakening introduces Elena, Stefan, Damon, and friends amidst romance, attacks, and the Salvatore brothers’ mysterious past.
Volume II: The Struggle
The Struggle follows Elena, Stefan, and Damon uncovering secrets, playing dueling vampires, and facing a mysterious unstoppable supernatural force.
Night World: Secret Vampire
The Night World’s rules forbid revealing its existence to or falling in love with humans. James must choose: save Poppy with vampirism or let her die.
Night World: Daughters of Darkness
Mary-Lynnette uncovers vampire secrets, faces death, and fights with Ash, whose dark past clashes with his desperate desire to be her soulmate.
Excerpt from STRANGE FATE
Sarah Strange’s migraines brought more than pain—they unlocked visions of the Night World, vivid and surreal, beginning the night her mother died. These glimpses into another realm left her questioning their purpose. Mal Harman, her enigmatic friend, was always there when she needed him, like today when a migraine overwhelmed her. His calm presence soothed her, though his mysterious aura only deepened her curiosity.
Their connection was undeniable. When Sarah’s hand brushed Mal’s, it felt as if time stopped. Her heart raced, tethered to an unknown force. Yet, Mal always pulled away, leaving her longing for answers to his secrets.
L.J. Smith’s Latest Offerings
L.J. Smith Legacy Contests
On March 8th, 2025, we lost a YA literary legend. An author, a family member, a friend, and to many...
Happy Valentine’s Day!
To My Dearest Readers, Hello, my beautiful lovelies! On this day of warmth and affection, I want to celebrate not...
Excerpt From LULLABY
Excerpt from Lullaby, L.J. Smith's first novel for adults. Includes musical track "Gather Here," by Simon Eugene Music, commissioned by...