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Sofía Daccarett Char was born on April 10, 1993 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The daughter of José F. Daccarett and Colombian-American Laura Char Carson. Through her mother, Sofia is related to the Char family of Colombian politicians. She attended St. Hugh School and graduated from Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami. After graduation, Sofia went on to attend the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) where she majored in communications with a minor in French. A career in entertainment took root as early as teenage years when Sofia attended the In Motion Dance Studio, where she was part of the IMPAC Youth Ensemble program. She became a singer-songwriter in 2012 after signing with Broadcast Music, Inc. Her television career began 2 years later in 2014, appearing in an episode of Austin & Ally (2011), followed by work on the series Faking It (2014). She made her feature length debut as 'Evie' in the comedic fantasy television film Descendants (2015). It would be a role she would reprise in the animated spin-off Descendants: Wicked World (2015) from 2015-2016 as the voice of her live-action character. She appeared in following sequels including Descendants 2: It's Going Down (2017) and Descendants 2 (2017). She lent her voice as 'Keemia' AKA 'Sand Girl' in the 2017 incarnation of the Marvel Comic superhero series Spider-Man (2017). In 2018, Sofia made her debut in her first film drama Asbury Park, starring with Ron Perlman and Dominique Swain.

In 2015, Sofia cut her first album with Walt Disney Records for Descendants. The following year in 2016, she released her next second album with WaterTower Music. In 2017, she released her third album with Walt Disney Records.

This young actress has worked with a number of the industry's biggest stars in a variety of diverse and challenging roles. She won rave reviews and a Critics Choice Movie Award nomination for her powerful work on the feature film, Brothers (2009), opposite Tobey Maguire, Natalie Portman and Jake Gyllenhaal. She played the young "Betty Ann Waters" in Fox Searchlight's Conviction (2010), with Hilary Swank and Minnie Driver.

Most recently, Bailee had a starring role in producer Guillermo del Toro's thriller, Don't Be Afraid of the Dark (2010), with Katie Holmes and Guy Pearce, Bailee was recommended for the role by her Brothers (2009) co-star, Natalie Portman. She played a withdrawn child being haunted by insatiable demons; the film was released in August 2011. Bailee starred as the daughter of Marisa Tomei and the granddaughter of Bette Midler and Billy Crystal in the film Parental Guidance (2012), a co-production between 20th Century Fox and Walden Media.

In 2011, Variety named Bailee an honoree for her philanthropic efforts with "Alex's Lemonade Stand" at the "Variety Power Of Youth Awards", which pays homage to the industry's most talented young activists. A driven and talented young actress, Bailee is equally committed to using her public profile to raise awareness for those less fortunate. Between filming major motion pictures, Bailee has been devoting her time and energy to "Alex's Lemonade Stand", an organization that encourages children, nationwide, to raise money to find a cure for childhood cancer through running their own lemonade stands.

Her other feature films include Letters to God (2010) and Hallmark's A Taste of Romance (2011) with Teri Polo. For her role in Columbia Pictures' comedy, Just Go with It (2011), with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston, Bailee earned rave reviews with "The Wall Street Journal".

Bailee captured audiences hearts with her role of "May Belle Aarons" in Disney's Bridge to Terabithia (2007), and has left lasting impressions with her performances in the independent film, Phoebe in Wonderland (2008) (starring Felicity Huffman and Elle Fanning), and on television in NBC's Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999). She appears as "Maxine Russo" in Disney Channel's Wizards of Waverly Place (2007), for its fourth and final season. When Bailee isn't working or studying, she loves cooking with her family.

When Bailee's not traveling, she loves spending time at home with family and friends, barbecuing, swimming, and playing on her swing set. Of course her dog, Maddy, is always by her side.

Catherine Hickland is an American actress, best known for her starring roles on Daytime Television, most notably in the award-winning role of "Lindsay Rappaport" on ABC 's One Life to Live (1968). Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, her first professional job got her nationwide attention, as a stewardess in an airline "Fly Me" advertising campaign.

She has performed in many guest-starring roles on episodic television and been a frequent guest on "Live with Regis and Kathie Lee", "Live with Regis and Kelly", The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1996) and The Wayne Brady Show (2001). Miss Hickland starred on Broadway in "Les Miserables" as "Fantine". And the off-Broadway hit, "Pieces".

Fascinated by the mind and how it works, Catherine Hickland was first exposed to hypnosis, as a young girl watching Pat Collins, "The Hip Hypnotist" on television. During her final two years on "One Life", Catherine diligently studied the art of hypnosis. After becoming a certified hypnotherapist, and having spent her life in front of the camera and onstage, she took the art and science of hypnosis into entertainment. In 2008, she debuted her show, "The Hypnotist", at the prestigious New World Stages in New York City, and never looked back. Today, Catherine is the most successful and well-known female hypnotist in the country. She performs well over 200 comedy hypnosis shows a year. As a hypnotherapist, Catherine is passionate about guiding people to their inner freedom as much as she loves being onstage performing for thousands of people all over the country.

She is a popular speaker and the author of "The 30 Day Heartbreak Cure, a Guide to Getting Over Him and Back Out There One Month From Today" (Simon & Shuster).

A teacher of the mind/body/spirit connection, Catherine volunteers her time visiting and speaking with women in the Federal Prison System.

In 2013, Catherine opened a training facility in Las Vegas for people who want to learn self-hypnosis, as well as training hypnotists who want to learn the art of stage hypnosis. She plans to take hypnosis into the mainstream in a way that has never been done before.

In 2001, Catherine created and remains CEO of "Cat Cosmetics", a very successful line of color cosmetics.

Because of her long and successful career in television, Catherine has International appeal, and enjoys meetings people from all over the world. She is married to producer Todd Fisher, and divides her time between their home in Las Vegas and their ranch in California, where she lives with 24 chickens, 3 horses, a miniature donkey, 2 geese, 13 ducks, and a pet turkey. And, yes, she can hypnotize animals.

Chris Conrad was born and raised in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. He is the third out of four brothers.

Always going for the sports, Chris played football, baseball, wrestled and played rugby.

After graduating high school, enrolled with Florida State University where his two older brothers, Tim and Steve, were also students.

Worked the campus radio while in college, a job he got through his brother Tim, who was the sports broadcaster. The job gave Chris another excellent outlet for his comedy.

Following his sophomore year, Chris moved to Chicago, where his brother Steve had moved to study at the Northwestern University, majoring in creative writing. Chris spent a year studying at the Piven Theatre Workshop then signed with an agent and landed his first acting role in the television movie, Mario and the Mob.

Later, he moved to Hollywood with Steve, who tried to sell his script Wrestling Ernest Hemingway. The screenplay became a very successful movie, and Chris himself started getting more jobs in the movies as well.

He started out with an episode of Raven and then in a small film called Star Food. He's also starring in an improvisational group with a friend, The Stick Men, in Los Angeles.

Kickboxing and wrestling since high school, Chris Conrad also trains Brazilian Jujitsu.

Steve Conrad was born in 1968 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Wonder (2017), Patriot (2015) and The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013).

Harlan Drum was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Harlan is an actor, known for MacGyver (2016), Grace Point (2023) and Sweet Magnolias (2020).

Brent Antonello was born on 25 August 1989 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for A Jazzman's Blues (2022), Law & Order: Organized Crime (2021) and Hit the Floor (2013).

Jenna Gering began a 15-year career first as a model. She was born Jenna Hudlett, daughter of Jeanne and Fred Hudlett in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on July 6, 1971. At age 14, Jenna Gering was spotted by a modeling scout and soon after spent a great deal of time traveling throughout Europe and Asia, appearing in catalogs, magazines and commercials. Her first real acting breakthrough came in the form of the English-speaking telenovela, Miami Sands (1998) in 2001. Afterwards, Jenna would expand on a list of performances, mostly rooted to the small screen. She co-starred in the horror TV-movie, Sabretooth (2002), sharing the survival terror with Josh Holloway and David Keith against a stalking sabretooth tiger. Other television work included appearances on NYPD Blue (1993), CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2000), Two and a Half Men (2003), The King of Queens (1998), Las Vegas (2003), CSI: NY (2004), Quarterlife (2007) and Castle (2009). Outside of her screen-work, Jenna also works as an acting teacher at the Lesly Kahn Acting School in Los Angeles.

Alexia Robinson was born on 1 January 1960 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. She is an actress and producer, known for Total Recall (1990), The Nutty Professor (1996) and Murder One (1995).

John Paul Rice began his film career in Georgia working on Jerry Bruckheimer's Remember the Titans (2000) starring Denzel Washington and We Were Soldiers (2002), starring Mel Gibson.

In 2001, John landed a position at the Los Angeles film finance, sales and production company Senator International, a US division of Senator Films [DE] (which later became Mandate Pictures) led by industry veteran Joseph Drake (The Hunger Games, Juno, The Grudge, Harold and Kumar...). Under Joe's leadership, John developed an interest in producing independent feature films.

In 2008, Mr. Rice formed No Restrictions Entertainment with filmmaker Edgar Michael Bravo and produced these critically acclaimed films, One Hour Fantasy Girl (2009), The Magic Stone (2016), Memories of a Lost Love (2011), Mark's Secret to Eternal Life (2013) and A Nice Quiet Life (2018). The team recently released their 6th project in 10 years with A Child's Voice (2018), a supernatural thriller about a runaway teen who answers a child calling out for help and is sent on a journey to find a human trafficking network run by the child's killer. All six films tell bold, authentic, real-life stories of survival in the face of uncertainty with a hope and love for a better world. The team is now in preparation for their 7th feature with Game Day (2021).

Angel, an exotic combination of Spanish, Irish, English and Italian, knew she wanted to perform from the age of five. At that young age, her lofty goals included modeling, singing and acting. She appeared in a few local television commercials in her hometown of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and also did the beauty pageant circuit, accruing more than 500 trophies from age eight to sixteen. She went on to study drama, dance and vocal at the performing arts high school in Florida, where she starred in Picnic and My Fair Lady. After high school, Angel signed with her first agent and did a few independent films, including Suicide Blonde (1999). During that time she landed her first national commercial for Allstate, where she also earned her SAG card. In July of 1997, Angel moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of acting. Within two months of being in Los Angeles, Angel booked a guest-starring role on the syndicated series Viper (1994) and then a recurring role on the popular television series Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990). Her film credits include starring roles in Peak Experience (2003), Warlock III: The End of Innocence (1999), and March (2001), an independent film starring former General Hospital (1963) stars Rena Sofer and Sean Kanan. Angel lives in Los Angeles and in her free time enjoys practicing yoga, reading, cooking and taking long drives.

Atkins Estimond is quickly making a name for himself in the entertainment industry by playing an array of characters from a doctor to a hacker, from a laidback optimist to a gangster who follows a code of ethics. He currently stars in Jerry Bruckheimer's critically acclaimed drama series, "Hightown" (STARZ) alongside Monica Raymund and James Badge Dale. Set in Provincetown, Massachusetts, the series follows a hard-partying National Marine Fisheries Service agent, Jackie Quiñones (Raymund), whose life is thrown into disarray when she discovers a body on the beach - another casualty of the opioid epidemic. She is convinced it is up to her to solve the murder, putting her at odds with Cape Cod Interagency Narcotics Unit sergeant, Ray Abruzzo (Dale). Estimond shines as Osito, a hardened gangster, who is of Haitian and Dominican decent, and is connected to the investigation. Critics have praised Estimond's performance: "the standouts include...Estimond as a killer with a philosophical cast of mind" (The New York Times) and "With every episode, Estimond adds new fascinating layers to his character" (RogerEbert.com) to name a few. Season two of "Hightown" premiered on October 17, 2021.

Estimond is also set to appear in BBC One and Netflix's four-part thriller series, "Inside Man" opposite Stanley Tucci (premiere date TBA). The series follows a prisoner on death row in the US, a Vicar in a quiet English town, and a maths teacher trapped in a cellar, as they cross paths in the most unexpected way. He is also known for his role as the eternal optimist, Gerson, in AMC's and Paul Giamatti's critically acclaimed dramedy series, "Lodge 49" alongside Wyatt Russell.

Additional television credits include recurring roles in FOX's "The Resident," Crackle's "StartUp" alongside Adam Brody, and Playstation Network's "Powers" with Sharlto Copley, as well as guest starring roles in ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder," YouTube Premium's "Step Up: High Water," truTV's "Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits & Monsters," OWN's "Love Is_" and SundanceTV's "Hap and Leonard."

On the film side, his credits include Roadside Attractions' "Trial by Fire," Samuel Goldwyn Films' "Lila & Eve" with Jennifer Lopez and Viola Davis, Gravitas Ventures' "Folk Hero & Funny Guy" and "An Actor Prepares," Columbia Pictures' "SuperFly," Universal Pictures' "Get On Up" and his film debut in "Dumb and Dumber To" opposite Jim Carrey and Jeff Daniels.

Born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and raised in Atlanta to Haitian immigrant parents, Estimond started acting in high school productions his freshman year. His love of acting began from watching movies as a child and seeing his older brother perform in plays at the local Boys & Girls Club. After graduation, he pursued a career in music, playing guitar in a band. Then, he went on to pursue acting, booking roles in "Dumb and Dumber To" and Lifetime's hit series' "Devious Maids." Additionally, Estimond enrolled at University of North Georgia, to hone in on his craft, majoring in Theatre, while continuing to book roles in film and television. He eventually decided to pursue acting full time and has been working ever since. He hopes that by increasing his visibility that he can inspire more Haitians to pursue a career in the entertainment industry and ultimately be able to tell stories about Haiti and its rich culture.

Estimond currently resides in Atlanta with his wife, Kristen, and their two daughters. When he's not on set, he enjoys spending time with family, playing music and traveling.

Carl Hiaasen graduated from the University of Florida's School of Journalism in 1974. He joined the Miami Herald in 1976, and wrote for the city desk, Sunday magazine and investigative team before becoming a columnist. He retired from the Herald in 2021. Hiaasen has written more than 25 books, including "Tourist Season," "Double Whammy," "Strip Tease, "Bad Monkey," and several books for younger readers.

"Strip Tease" was the basis for the 1996 film Striptease (1996). "Hoot," his first novel for kids, was made into the feature film Hoot (2006) starring Brie Larson, Logan Lerman and Luke Wilson.

Hiaasen co-wrote the lyrics of three songs with Warren Zevon: "Rottweiler Blues," "Seminole Bingo," and "Basket Case." He co-wrote "Fish Porn" on Jimmy Buffett's final album with Buffett and Mac McAnally.

Carmen Thomas was born on 13 July 1967 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. She is an actress and casting director, known for Blade (1998), Face/Off (1997) and All My Children (1970).

Lovely and shapely raven-haired brunette stunner Tiffany Fallon was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She's of Irish-American descent. Tiffany graduated from Florida State University with a degree in Sports Management. Tiffany was a NFL cheerleader for the Atlanta Falcons in 1998. She won the title of Miss Georgia USA 2001 and placed secondrunner-up in the 2001 Miss USA contest. Fallon was the Playmate of the Month in the December, 2004 issue of "Playboy". Tiffany was named Playmate of the Year in 2005; at age 31, she has the distinction of being the second oldest woman to receive this particular title. She has appeared as herself on the reality TV shows, The Girls Next Door (2005) and The Apprentice (2004). Moreover, Tiffany is featured in the music videos, "Who's Your Daddy?" by Toby Keith and "Come Wake Me Up" by Rascal Flatts. Fallon has served as a guest host on FSN's The Best Damn Sports Show Period (2001) and has done dozens of print and television campaigns. Tiffany was named one of CMT's "Sexiest Southern Belles" and has made comedic guest appearances on Spike TV's The Lance Krall Show (2005) and "The Man Made Movie" (2001-2002)_ Fallon married musician JoeDon Rooney, of the country trio Rascal Flatts, on May 31, 2006.

Kelly Ryan was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Kelly is an actor and writer, known for A Perfect Christmas Pairing (2023) and Turn Around (2009).

Tanya Chisholm is a versatile veteran of the stage and screen, and has found Hollywood success in both comedic + dramatic story telling.

Most recently, the actress lent her dramatic chops to the pivotal role of "Alice" in Kevin Willmott's (BlacKkKlansman) and Trai Byers (Empire) film- "The 24th". Though she has played many dramatic roles, Tanya lives for Comedy.

The actress is best known for playing quick witted, administrative genius "Kelly Wainwright" on Nickelodeon's hit "boy band" comedy series Big Time Rush.

Before hitting the "big time", Tanya's gift to tell interesting and compelling stories earned her the recurring role of Nancy Cooper on the CW's Veronica Mars as well as memorable guest spots on shows like CBS' Ghost Whisperer, CBS' Cold Case, and Disney Channel's Cory in the House.

Tanya also garnered legions of fans when she shared the screen with Zac Ephron, Vanessa Hudgens and Ashley Tisdale as the main Sharpette "Jackie" in the monster hit Disney Channel original movie High School Musical 2. Other TV movie roles include playing Marcie in MGM's Legally Blondes - the third installment of the popular film series, which aired on Disney Channel and ABC Family.

A native of Fort Lauderdale, FL, Tanya is a classically trained actor + dancer. With brains, beauty and outstanding ability, Tanya graduated from the prestigious UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television, and received the coveted Regent's Scholarship for Academic Achievement as well as the esteemed John and Faith Surabian Award for Musical Theater.

Tanya lives in Los Angeles, and when not on the set enjoys coaching young performers + running a successful business as an influencer.

Alex Ferrari is an author, blogger, speaker, consultant, the host of the #1 filmmaking podcast on iTunes Indie Film Hustle Podcast, and an award-winning writer/director with 25 years of experience in the film industry. As a director, his films have screened in over 500 international film festivals.

Alex exploded onto the indie film scene with his award-winning short film Broken. To date, the film has screened at over 200 international festivals and has been reviewed by over 250 news outlets world-wide including famed film critic Roger Ebert.

"Broken is essentially a demonstration of the mastery of horror imagery and techniques." - Roger Ebert.

Through self-distribution, the Broken: Special Edition DVD has also sold over 5000 units worldwide. Produced on a budget of $8000 and boasting over 100 visual effects shots, Broken is one of the most celebrated shorts in recent years.

Frustrated that his fellow filmmakers were being "chewed up" by the film business, Alex decided to start Indie Film Hustle®, a website dedicated to educating filmmakers and artists on how to survive and thrive in the film business. He also launched a podcast focused on filmmaking called The Indie Film Hustle® Podcast. Within three months of its start date. the show became the #1 filmmaking podcast on Apple Podcasts. He's also the host of the popular screenwriting podcast Bulletproof Screenwriting®, and the filmmaking business podcast Filmtrepreneur®.

After launching Indie Film Hustle, Alex created the world's first streaming service dedicated to filmmakers, screenwriters, content creators and artists called Indie Film Hustle Tv. Alex has worldwide his life to helping people realize their dreams using Indie Film Hustle and Indie Film Hustle Tv as platforms to do so.

Alex's feature film debut was the award-winning This is Meg. The film stars comic actress Jill-Michele Meleán (Reno 911, MadTV), along with Krista Allen, Joseph Reitman, Debra Wilson, Carlos Alazraqui, and Jenica Bergere. Alex wore many hats on this indie film including directing, producing, cinematographer, cameraman, editor, and colorist. The film was sold to on Hulu and is available on Indie Film Hustle Tv, Apple Tv, and Amazon.

Alex's current project is the feature film On the Corner of Ego and Desire. A satirical look at the indie film world shot entirely at the Sundance Film Festival. It will be released sometime in 2020.

His book Shooting for the Mob (Based on the Incredible True Filmmaking Story) hit the Amazon Best Seller's List within a week of its release.

The book is about: A bipolar gangster, a naive, young film director, and Batman. What could go wrong? Alex Ferrari is a first-time film director who just got hired to direct a $20 million feature film, the only problem is the film is about Jimmy, an ego maniacal gangster who wants the film to be about his life in the mob. From the backwater towns of Louisiana to the Hollywood Hills, Alex is taken on a crazy misadventure through the world of the mafia and Hollywood. Huge movie stars, billion-dollar producers, studio heads and, of course, a few gangsters, populate this unbelievable journey down the rabbit hole of chasing your dream.

His second book Rise of the Filmtrepreneur® How to Turn Your Indie Film into a Moneymaking Business rocketed to the top of the Amazon charts and became a #1 Best Seller within 10 hours of its release as well.

Alex lives in Los Angeles with his lovely family. He is a devoted practitioner of meditation and how it aids in the creative process. He also speaks regularly at screenwriting and film events, festivals and conventions.

Rielle Hunter was born on 20 March 1964 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. She is an actress and writer, known for Overboard (1987), Ricochet (1991) and Billy Bob and Them (2000). She was previously married to Kip Hunter.

Chris Cavanaugh was born in 1984 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. Chris is a cinematographer, known for Star Trek Beyond (2016), Furious 7 (2015) and 127 Hours (2010).

Dena Kaye was born on 17 December 1946 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. She is an actress, known for The George Burns Show (1958), The London Palladium: The Greatest Stage on Earth (2018) and American Masters (1985).

Stevie Baggs Jr. was born on 30 December 1981 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Ruthless (2020), The Underground Railroad (2021) and Cobra Kai (2018).

J. Bernard Calloway was born on 2 December 1974 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for The Ms. Pat Show (2021), The Equalizer (2021) and The Breaks (2017).

Niki Taylor is one of the most successful models of all time. This south Florida native began modeling at 14 and immediately captured the heart of America and then the world with her "Girl next door" charm and beauty. Niki is in the Guinness book of world records as the youngest model to sign a six-figure deal. She is also the only model to have ever been on six of the major American magazine covers in the same month. Titled by Entertainment Weekly as the "Niki Six", she graced the covers of Vogue, Allure, Elle, Self, Shape and Marie Claire. She also was featured on more covers of Seventeen and Allure than any other model then, or since. Niki was the first and only supermodel at the Chinese fashion week held in Hong Kong in 1997, the very week that the city was given back to the Chinese from British control. Closer to home, Niki was the cultural ambassador for the city of Nashville in their "Visit Music City" campaign. Niki's image drew attention to the milestone anniversaries of the city's iconic cultural venues from the Ryman Theater to the Bluebird Café and a special tribute to Johnny Cash. The images ran across all social platforms and are part of a yearlong exhibit at the Nashville International airport. As a spokesperson, model and celebrity, Niki's image has sold billions of dollars' worth of products and services and was regularly the driving force of entire multiyear campaigns and her appearance on magazine covers increased street sales. Her calendars were all top sellers and in a testament to her massively broad appeal, she was the only supermodel to have a calendar approved for sale (and become a bestseller) in the very conservative and the world's top retailer, Wal-Mart. Her ability to consistently boost sales and interest in brands or events became known to industry insiders as the "Niki effect". In an era of questionable notoriety, uncertain values and "here today gone tomorrow" celebrity, Niki has achieved a staggering list of accomplishments in every aspect of the fashion industry culminating in an 80% recognition factor amongst American women between the ages of 34 to 50. Niki continues to be recognized worldwide for her exquisite grace, charm and on camera charisma as well as her ongoing concern for the welfare of others strengthened by her own history of coping and conquering adversity. These qualities have led the companies she has endorsed to unprecedented profitability and greater market reach.

Her personal interest in fashion, health and general well being has always been a driving force in the personal and professional choices she has made. Niki believes that "Fitness and Wellness are important choices we all have to make, it is not about fashion or trends but quality of life that pays dividends for the individual as well as their families. If sharing the lessons I have learned in my own journey can help people accomplish the first step towards this, it will be a fulfilling achievement". Niki posts and creates her own social media content and finds that this new platform is perfect for sharing her insights into fashion, fitness and empowerment for all.

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 horror, science fiction/fantasy, and romance, are populated with young and apparently-young human and supernatural characters locked in dark vs. light, good vs. evil conflict. A dark antagonist typically attempts to seduce a heroine into the darkness, and in some cases is instead reborn into the light. The popular Night World series adds a recurring reality-altering conspiracy theme, enlivened with "romantic soul mate scenarios."

Smith was born in Villa Park, Orange County, California. In interviews she has said she realized she wanted to be a writer sometime between kindergarten and first grade, "when a teacher praised a horrible poem I'd written", and began writing in earnest in elementary school. Smith received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of California at Santa Barbara in 1987, followed by teaching credentials in Elementary education and Special education from San Francisco State University. She taught kindergarten and special education for several years before becoming a full-time writer. Her first book, The Night of the Solstice, was published by MacMillan in 1987, followed by "Heart of Valor" in 1990, and the 4-volume "Vampire Diaries" series in 1991-2. Three trilogies followed: The Secret Circle (1992), The Forbidden Game (1994), and Dark Visions (1995). The first installment of her popular Night World series was published in 1996, followed by eight more over the next two years. In 1998, Smith began a decade-long hiatus from writing, returning in 2008 with a new Web site and a series of new short stories. The Vampire Diaries series was reissued in 2007, followed by re-printings of The Secret Circle trilogy and Night World series in 2008/2009. The Night of the Solstice and Heart of Valor were also reissued in 2008. Three new Vampire Diaries installments were published in 2009 and 2010, and three more are scheduled for release, according to the author's Web site. Smith lives in the San Francisco Bay area "with one dog, three cats, and about ten thousand books."