McLaughlin graduated from New York University's Gallatin School of Individualized Study. She met Nicola Kraus while both were attending New York University, and working as nannies. Their first novel, The Nanny Diaries, a tale about a 20-something New York nanny, reached #1 on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2002. The film version was released in 2007.

With Nicola Kraus edit

• The Nanny Diaries (2002)
• Citizen Girl (2004)
• Dedication (2007)
• The Real Real (2009)
• Nanny Returns (2010)^[1]
• The First Affair (2013)

• Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus official website
• Interview with Emma McLaughlin
• Barnes & Noble Biography