Courtney Collins

Courtney is an Australian author, screenwriter and producer based on Gumbaynggirr Country near Bellingen, NSW. She is the author of two novels. The Burial (Allen & Unwin, 2012) was published in ten countries and shortlisted for several awards including the Stella Prize and the NSW Premier’s Literary Award for New Writing. Her second novel, Bird, was published by Hachette in 2024. She wrote the feature film Life Could Be a Dream, directed by Jasmin Tarasin and starring Maeve Dermody, which was released nationally through Palace Cinemas in May 2026. Through Ngukurr Story Projects she has produced short films and animations with First Nations artists in southeast Arnhem Land, and she hosts the podcast Are You Still Working?! How to Take Your Creative Ideas Seriously.

Alongside her creative practice, Courtney works as an advisor at PRISM Co, supporting leaders working on long-term social change. She holds a PhD and a Masters Degree, both in Creative Writing.