L. J. Smith was born as Lisa Jane Smith in Villa Park, California on September 4, 1965. She received a bachelor of arts degree in experimental psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara and teaching credentials in elementary education and special education from San Francisco State University. Before becoming a full-time writer, she taught kindergarten and special education for several years. She has written numerous young adults books and series including The Vampire Diaries, The Secret Circle, The Forbidden Game, Dark Visions, and Night World.