Washington, March 30 -- The literary world is mourning the loss of LJ Smith, the renowned author of The Vampire Diaries and The Secret Circle series, who passed away on March 8 at the age of 66.

According to her website, Smith succumbed to a rare autoimmune disease, which she had been battling for over a decade.

https://theljsmith.com/

A statement on her website remembered her as "a kind and gentle soul, whose brilliance, creativity, resilience, and empathy illuminated the lives of her family, friends, and fans alike."

Smith's literary career spanned over three decades, during which she penned numerous bestselling novels, including The Vampire Diaries series, which was adapted into a hit TV show in 2009.

The show ran for eight season...