Michael Collins was born in Limerick, Ireland, and his literary work has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize, won the Kerry Ingredients Book of the Year Award, awarded a Pushcart Prize, and has been translated into several languages. Collins is also a world-class distance runner, whose winning achievements include the North Pole Marathon, Everest Challenge Marathon, and a bronze medal at the 2010 World 100k Championships. Collins lives in South Bend, Indiana.