Lisa Jane Smith, known professionally as L. J. Smith, is an American author of young-adult literature. Her books, which combine elements of the genres of supernatural, horror, science fiction/fantasy, and romance, are populated with apparently young human and supernatural characters locked in dark vs. light, and good vs. evil conflicts. A dark antagonist typically attempts to seduce a heroine into the darkness, and in some cases, is instead reborn into the light. Her books, particularly The Vampire Diaries and the Night World series, have been in the New York Times Bestselling and have been nominated for Favorite Book awards.The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle have both been turned into TV shows. [More at Wikipedia]

September 4th, 1965 in Fort Lauderdale (Age 59)