Born and raised in Los Angeles, Toni Stern enjoyed a highly productive collaboration with singer-songwriter Carole King. Stern wrote the lyrics for several of King’s songs of the late ’60s and early ’70s, most notably “It’s Too Late,” for the album Tapestry. The album has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, and received numerous industry awards. In 2012, Tapestry was honored with inclusion in the National Recording Registry to be preserved by the Library of Congress; in 2013, King played "It's Too Late" at the White House. That song and Stern's "Where You Lead" feature in the Broadway hit Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. "Where You Lead" is also the theme song for the acclaimed television series Gilmore Girls. Stern's music has been recorded by numerous artists throughout the years.
The Wet Clay of My Heart is her fourth volume of poetry. She lived with her family in Santa Ynez, California.