D.C. McLaughlin grew up in Delaware on the Tony Florio Woodland Beach Wildlife Refuge. She is a veterinary technician and has spent most of her life working as a race and show horse groom. She now resides in York County, Pennsylvania, with her husband of many years on a small farm with three Haflinger horses, a flock of chickens, several cats, a retired greyhound and an assortment of corn snakes. When not caring for the animals, she participates in historical re-enactments and studies Middle Eastern dance.