Vicki Stiefel grew up in professional theater—her family owned and ran the Ivoryton Playhouse for forty-two years, an Equity stock theater in Connecticut. She joined the family business and worked as an usher, walk-on, secretary, apprentice, and assistant business manager. Her theater upbringing has been one of the defining elements in her life.

She has worked as an assistant producer for a New Jersey stock company, a professional photographer, a high-school Drama and English teacher, a hamburger slinger, a scuba-dive-shop manager, and an editor. She's counseled adolescents and worked with law enforcement professionals.

She is the mother of Blake and Ben, and the stepmom of Mike, Melissa, and Sarah. All terrific kids.