Not to be confused with Susan Collins.
For other people, see Suzanne Collins (disambiguation).
Suzanne Collins
Birth dateAugust 10, 1962 (age 64)[1]
Birth placeHartford, Connecticut, U.S.
OccupationNovelist · author
EducationIndiana University Bloomington (BA)
New York University (MFA)
SpouseCharles Pryor (m. 1992)
GenreFantasy, science fiction, children's literature, young adult fiction, dystopian fiction
NotableworksThe Hunger Games
The Underland Chronicles
Websitesuzannecollinsbooks.com

Suzanne Collins (born August 10, 1962)[2] is an American author and television writer who is best known as the author of the young adult dystopian fiction book series The Hunger Games. She is also the author of the children's fantasy series The Underland Chronicles.

Early life and education

Collins was born on August 10, 1962,[2] in Hartford, Connecticut, to Jane Brady Collins (born 1931) and Lieutenant Colonel Michael John Collins (1931–2003),[3] a U.S. Air Force officer who served in the Korean and the Vietnam War.[4] Her grandfather and numerous uncles fought in both World Wars.[5] She is the youngest of four children, her older siblings being Kathryn (born 1957), Andrew (born 1958), and Joan (born 1960).[4] As the daughter of a military officer, she moved with her family very often, mostly living in Europe (specifically Brussels, Belgium)[6] and the eastern part of America.[7] As a young girl, Collins enjoyed reading, gymnastics, and exploring the woods with her friends.[7]

Collins graduated from the Alabama School of Fine Arts in Birmingham in 1980 as a Theater Arts major.[8] She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Indiana University Bloomington in 1985 with a double major in theater and telecommunications.[9][10][11] In 1989, Collins earned her Master of Fine Arts in dramatic writing from the New York University Tisch School of the Arts.[11]

Career

Collins began her career in 1991 as a writer for children's television shows.[12] She worked on several shows for Nickelodeon and Nick Jr., including Clarissa Explains It All, The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, Little Bear, Oswald, and Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!.[12] She was also the head writer for the PBS spin-off Clifford's Puppy Days.[12] She received a Writers Guild of America nomination in animation for co-writing the critically acclaimed 2001 Christmas special, Santa, Baby![13] After meeting children's author James Proimos while working on the Kids' WB show Generation O!, Collins felt inspired to write children's books herself.[12]

Her inspiration for Gregor the Overlander, the first book of The New York Times best-selling series The Underland Chronicles, came from Alice in Wonderland, when she was thinking about how one was more likely to fall down a manhole than a rabbit hole, and would find something other than a tea party.[12][13] Between 2003 and 2007, she wrote the five books of the Underland Chronicles: Gregor the Overlander, Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane, Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods, Gregor and the Marks of Secret, and Gregor and the Code of Claw. During that time, Collins also wrote a rhyming picture book, When Charlie McButton Lost Power (2005), illustrated by Mike Lester.[12]

In September 2008, Scholastic Press released The Hunger Games, the first book of a series by Collins.[14] The Hunger Games was partly inspired by the Greek myth of Theseus and the Minotaur. Another inspiration was her father's career in the Air Force, which gave her insight to poverty, starvation, and the effects of war.[4] The trilogy's second book, Catching Fire, was released in September 2009, and its third book, Mockingjay, was released on August 24, 2010.[15] Within 14 months, 1.5 million copies of the first two Hunger Games books were printed in North America alone.[16] The Hunger Games was on The New York Times Best Seller list for more than 60 consecutive weeks.[16] Lions Gate Entertainment acquired worldwide distribution rights to a film adaptation of The Hunger Games, produced by Nina Jacobson's Color Force production company.[17][18] Collins adapted the novel for film herself.[18] Directed by Gary Ross, filming began in late spring 2011, with Jennifer Lawrence portraying main character Katniss Everdeen.[19] as well as Josh Hutcherson who played Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth who played Gale Hawthorne.[20]

The subsequent two novels were adapted into films as well, with the latter book split into two cinematic installments, for a total of four films representing the three books. As a result of the popularity of The Hunger Games books, Collins was named one of Time magazine's most influential people of 2010.[21] In March 2012, Amazon announced that she had become the best-selling Kindle author of all time.[22] Amazon also revealed that Collins had written 29 of the 100 most highlighted passages in Kindle ebooks—and on a separate Amazon list of recently highlighted passages, she had written 17 of the top 20.[23]

Collins released a Hunger Games prequel titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes in May 2020. It is based on the life of future President Coriolanus Snow, 64 years before the events of The Hunger Games trilogy.[24][25] A film adaptation, starring Tom Blyth as Snow and Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, was released on November 17, 2023.[26] In March 2025, it was followed by Sunrise on the Reaping,[27] which explores the 50th Hunger Games won by Haymitch Abernathy.[27] Lionsgate procured the rights to adapt the novel into a film, which is set to release on November 20, 2026, with Joseph Zada playing Haymitch and Ralph Fiennes playing Snow.[28]

Personal life

Collins moved to New York City in 1987 and lived there until 2003.[7]

In 1991, Collins met Charles "Cap" Pryor at Indiana University and they married in 1992.[29] Pryor has been supportive of Collins's career, reading and critiquing the earliest drafts of The Hunger Games.[30] They live in the Sandy Hook area of Newtown, Connecticut, with their two children, Charlie and Isabel.[6][30][29][31] Though Collins's IMDb profile claims she and Pryor divorced in 2015, this has never been confirmed.[6]

In 2013, Forbes reported that Collins has a net worth of $55 million, making her No. 3 on Forbes's Top-Earning Authors List.[32]

Awards

WorkYearAwardCategoryResult
The Hunger Games2008Cybils AwardSpeculative Fiction: Young Adult
2009–2010Soaring Eagle Book Award[33]
2009Buckeye Children's & Teen Book Award[34]
2009Thumbs Up! Award[35]
2009Locus AwardYoung Adult Novel[36]
2009Inky AwardsSilver Inky Award
2009Golden Duck AwardHal Clement Award
2010Hampshire Book AwardsBook Award
2010Kentucky Bluegrass AwardGrades 9-12[37]
2010Children's Book AwardOlder Readers
2010Children's Book AwardOverall
2010Vermont Golden Dome Book Award
2011California Young Reader MedalYoung Adult
2011Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
2011Sequoyah Book AwardYoung Adult and Intermediate
2011Sequoyah Book AwardHigh School
2011Geffen AwardTranslated Science Fiction Novel
20122012 Teen Choice AwardsChoice Book
2012Concorde Book Award
2012BILBY AwardOlder Readers Award
The Hunger Games (Film)2013Ray Bradbury Award
2012Bram Stoker AwardBest Screenplay
Catching Fire2009Goodreads Choice AwardsYoung Adult Series
2010Golden Duck AwardHal Clement Award
2010Locus AwardYoung Adult Novel[38]
2010Indies Choice Book AwardsYoung Adult
2011–2012Soaring Eagle Book Award[33]
2012Geffen AwardScience Fiction
2014BILBY AwardOlder Readers Award
2018Goodreads Choice AwardsBest of the Best[39]
Mockingjay2010Goodreads Choice AwardsYoung Adult Fantasy[40]
2011Neffy AwardsSF/F Author[41]
2011Children's Choice Book AwardsTeen Choice Book of the Year[42]
2011Locus AwardYoung Adult Novel[43]
2011Andre Norton Award
2013Geffen AwardYoung Adult
2016BILBY AwardOlder Readers Award
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes2020Goodreads Choice AwardsYoung Adult Fantasy[44]
2021Geffen AwardScience Fiction
Sunrise on the Reaping2025Goodreads Choice AwardsYoung Adult Fantasy & Sci-Fi[45]
Waterstones Book of the Year[46]
Dragon AwardsBest Young Adult/Middle Grade Novel[47]
Barnes & Noble Book of the Year Award[48]
2026British Book AwardsChildren's Fiction Book of the Year[49]
Year of the Jungle2014Christopher AwardBooks for Young People - Kindergarten and up
2014Charlotte Zolotow Award
Gregor the Overlander
(aka: Gregor and the Rats of Underland)		2005Beehive Book AwardChildren's Fiction[50]
2006Waterstones Children's Book PrizeBest Book
2004NAIBA Children's Novel Award[51]
Other awards

Published works

The Underland Chronicles

  1. Gregor the Overlander (2003)
  2. Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (2004)
  3. Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods (2005)
  4. Gregor and the Marks of Secret (2006)
  5. Gregor and the Code of Claw (2007)

The Hunger Games series

Original series

  1. The Hunger Games (September 14, 2008)
  2. Catching Fire (September 1, 2009)
  3. Mockingjay (August 24, 2010)

Prequels

  1. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (May 19, 2020)
  2. Sunrise on the Reaping (March 18, 2025)[27]

Other books

  • Fire Proof (The Mystery Files of Shelby Woo, #11) (1999)[59]
  • When Charlie McButton Lost Power (2005)
  • Year of the Jungle (2013)

References

  1. ^ Armitstead, Claire (April 27, 2012). "Suzanne Collins: Hunger Games author who found rich pickings in dystopia". The Guardian. Retrieved August 9, 2018.
  2. ^ "Books by Suzanne Collins on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  3. ^ Llanas, Sheila Griffin (August 1, 2012). How to Analyze the Works of Suzanne Collins. ABDO. p. 13. ISBN 9781614789574. Retrieved August 8, 2018.
  4. ^ Collins, Suzanne. "A Conversation with Suzanne Collins, Q & A.". Scholastic. Archived March 29, 2019 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  5. ^ "Suzanne Collins Biography - Suzanne Collins". Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  6. ^ "Suzanne Collins - Books, Facts & Movies". Biography.com. 2020-05-20. Retrieved 2024-02-27.
  7. ^ "Suzanne Collins - Interview". www.suzannecollinsbooks.com. Retrieved 2024-07-02.
  8. ^ Harvey, Alec (March 23, 2010). "Did you know 'Hunger Games' author Suzanne Collins has an Alabama connection". Birmingham News. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  9. ^ "Suzanne Collins Interview by Deborah Hopkinson on BookPage". BookPage. September 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2013. Retrieved December 15, 2009.
  10. ^ "'Hunger Games' author Suzanne Collins graduated from IU". Indiana University. March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 25, 2013.
  11. ^ "Suzanne Collins". biography.com. A&E Networks. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "Biography". www.suzannecollinsbooks.com. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
  13. ^ "Suzanne Collins Biography". Scholastic. Archived from the original on March 7, 2010. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
  14. ^ Collins, Suzanne. "Planning the Trilogy" (Interview: Video). Scholastic Canada. Archived from the original on February 12, 2009. Retrieved December 14, 2008.
  15. ^ Staskiewicz, Keith (February 11, 2010). "Final 'Hunger Games' novel has been given a title and a cover". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 11, 2010.
  16. ^ Collins, Suzanne. "Suzanne Collins's Third Book in The Hunger Games Trilogy to be Published on August 24, 2010.". Scholastic. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
  17. ^ Sellers, John A. (March 12, 2009). "Hungry? The Latest on 'The Hunger Games'". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 2 June 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  18. ^ Fe, Jay A. & Kit, Borys (March 17, 2009). "Lionsgate picks up 'Hunger Games'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived March 22, 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  19. ^ "Exclusive: Jennifer Lawrence Gets Lead Role in 'The Hunger Games'". TheWrap. 2011-03-16. Archived 2020-05-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  20. ^ "Hunger Games Peeta and Gale Casting". HungerGamesfan.com. Retrieved April 9, 2011.
  21. ^ Skurnick, Lizzie (April 29, 2010). "The 2010 Time 100: Suzanne Collins". Time. Archived May 1, 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  22. ^ "Hungry for Hunger Games: Amazon.com Reveals the Top Cities in the U.S. Reading The Hunger Games Trilogy". Archived from the original on April 11, 2016. Retrieved March 16, 2012.
  23. ^ "Who is the Best-Selling Kindle Author of All Time?". March 17, 2012. Retrieved March 17, 2012.
  24. ^ Italie, Hillel (17 June 2019). "Hunger Games' Prequel Novel Coming in 2020". US News. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  25. ^ "Title, book cover announced for 'The Hunger Games' prequel". SFGate. 2019-10-04. Retrieved 2019-10-04.
  26. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (2022-04-28). "'Hunger Games' Prequel 'The Ballad Of Songbirds And Snakes' Gets 2023 Release Date – CinemaCon". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-11-19.
  27. ^ ITALIE, HILLEL (6 June 2024). "Suzanne Collins is releasing a new 'Hunger Games' novel, 'Sunrise on the Reaping,' next year". AP News
  28. ^ Blackwelder, Carson (6 June 2024). "New 'Hunger Games' book 'Sunrise on the Reaping' to get movie treatment". ABC News. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  29. ^ "The woman who lit the Hunger Games fire". The Sydney Morning Herald. 2013-11-30. Retrieved 2024-02-20.
  30. ^ Collins, Suzanne (2010). Mockingjay. Scholastic Publishing
  31. ^ Gendreau •, LeAnne (2012-03-22). "Frenzy Over Local Author's "Hunger Games"". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  32. ^ Bercovici, Jeff (2013-08-12). "The World's Top-Earning Authors: With '50 Shades,' E.L. James Debuts At No. 1". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
  33. ^ "Soaring Eagle 2010-2019". Wyoming Library Association. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  34. ^ "Past Nominees & Winners – Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award". Buckeye Children's and Teen Book Award. Retrieved 2025-08-16.
  35. ^ "MLA Thumbs Up! Award". Michigan Library Association. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  36. ^ "Sfadb: Locus Awards 2009"
  37. ^ "KBA Winner's Circle". Kentucky Association of School Librarians. Retrieved 2025-08-02.
  38. ^ "Sfadb: Locus Awards 2010"
  39. ^ "Announcing the Goodreads Choice Winner in Best of the Best!". GoodReads.com
  40. ^ Jessica (January 6, 2011). "The Winners of the 2010 Goodreads Choice Awards!". Goodreads.com
  41. ^ "2011 National Fantasy Fan Federation Speculative Fiction Awards"
  42. ^ "2011 Winners and Finalists – Children's Book Council". Children's Book Council. 2019-02-20. Retrieved 2025-08-03.
  43. ^ "Sfadb: Locus Awards 2011"
  44. ^ "Announcing the Goodreads Choice Winner in Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction!". GoodReads.com
  45. ^ "Announcing the Winners of the 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards!". Goodreads. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  46. ^ "Waterstones Book of the Year Shortlist 2025 [plus] Prize Draw | Waterstones". www.waterstones.com. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  47. ^ locusmag (2025-09-02). "2025 Dragon Awards Winners". Locus Online. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  48. ^ Polkowska, Margarita (2025-10-24). "2025 Book of the Year Finalists". B&N Reads. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
  49. ^ "British Book Awards: Virginia Giuffre’s memoir wins top book prize". BBC News. 2026-05-11. Retrieved 2026-05-12.
  50. ^ "2005 Beehive Book Award"
  51. ^ "Book of the Year Awards from NAIBA, the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association". Archived April 4, 2014 at the Wayback Machine.
  52. ^ Rubins, Jennifer (2023-06-20). "Explore Audiobooks on the NEW PenguinRandomHouseLibrary.com!". Penguin Random House Library Marketing. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  53. ^ "Best Children's Books of 2009". Publishers Weekly. November 2, 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  54. ^ "2009 Best Books for Young Adults | Young Adult Library Services Association". www.ala.org. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
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  56. ^ "Horn Book Fanfare Best Book Winners". GoodReads.com. Archived 2012-08-09 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  57. ^ "GREGOR THE OVERLANDER - Suzanne Collins". 2013-07-03. Archived July 3, 2013 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2025-04-07.
  58. ^ "Authors Guild Benefit Honors Suzanne Collins, Celebrates Books for Young Readers". Industry & Advocacy News. Authors Guild. May 27, 2016. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  59. ^ Collins, Suzanne (1999). Fireproof. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 067102695X.