L.J. Smith, author of The Vampire Diaries novels that would create a successful TV franchise, has died at the age of 66. Smith’s partner Julie Divola and her sister Judy Clifford stated to The New York Times that Smith passed away on March 8th in the hospital after dealing with the effects of a rare

LJ Smith, the author whose bestselling Vampire Diaries novels were adapted into a hit TV show, has died aged 66. The New York Times reports that the bestselling author died on March 8 in Walnut Creek, Calif, after suffering effects of a rare autoimmune disease for a decade.

She wrote seven books in a series that went on to be a hit TV show. After she was replaced by ghostwriters, she reclaimed her characters online in fan fiction.