L.J. Smith is a renowned author of young-adult fiction, celebrated for her supernatural tales that weave elements of horror, science fiction, fantasy, and romance. She was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. Smith discovered her passion for writing at a young age, inspired by a teacher who praised her early poems.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara (1987) and teaching credentials in Elementary and Special Education from San Francisco State University. Smith initially worked as a kindergarten and special education teacher before pursuing writing full-time.

Her debut novel was The Night of the Solstice (1987), followed by Heart of Valor (1990) and the popular Vampire Diaries series (1991-1992). She wrote several other series including The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). Smith's widely acclaimed Night World series began in 1996.

Smith took a break from writing in 1998, returning in 2008 with new stories and re-issues of her earlier works. As of now, she continues to reside in the San Francisco Bay area surrounded by her beloved pets and a vast collection of books.