Gregory Collins
Published author and editor specializing in manuscript critique, developmental editing, line editing, and ghostwriting for literary and mainstream fiction, narrative nonfiction, and screenplays.
Born and raised in Kenya, east Africa, Gregory Collins joined The Editorial Department in early 2024 to help authors of books and screenplays hone writing and storytelling craft for both the page and screen.
He is the writer of Chasing the Panther: Adventures and Misadventures of a Cinematic Life (HarperCollins 2023), the memoir of film pioneer Carolyn Pfeiffer. He is the screenwriter of Hamzah Jamjoom’s eco-thriller Running Dry, currently in production in Turkey and Saudi Arabia.
Gregory is drawn to character-driven stories that explore human experience in dramatic and unexpected ways. In fiction, he is especially interested in working with authors of literary and mainstream novels that explore creativity, art, spirituality, sexuality, “underground” themes, and coming-of-age experiences. In nonfiction, he enjoys memoirs, personal narratives, and academic works supported by strong narrative elements. Gregory’s favorite authors include Anaïs Nin, Elena Ferrante, D.H. Lawrence, Elspeth Huxley, Milan Kundera, and many more.
Gregory brings a deeply thoughtful, story-driven approach to fiction evaluation and developmental editing. His detailed, respectful feedback honors a writer’s vision while encouraging a stronger narrative arc and helping to refine the author’s voice. Authors who work with Gregory can expect a collaborative and insightful editorial style—one that affirms what’s working and thoughtfully explores opportunities for improvement. With a sharp instinct for how plot builds momentum and emotional resonance, and a passion for helping episodic narratives become cohesive and compelling, Gregory is an excellent choice for writers seeking rigorous, well-reasoned revision guidance rooted in storycraft.
Gregory’s recent film credits include Mayday and Coyote, directed by Japanese auteur Tetsuya Mariko. He is the writer and director of two feature films, has taught screenwriting at Penn State University, and has worked extensively as an arts administrator, including as executive administrator of the Austin Film Society and executive director of the Independent Filmmaker Project Chicago. His expertise as a screenwriter and interest in independent filmmaking makes him a unique resource for authors considering adaptation or wanting to know more about how books become movies.
His ongoing art project, #streettreasure, is a collection of objects found around east Hyde Park, on Chicago’s south side. While Gregory seeks to support literary-minded writers and screenwriters, he is a lover of all stories that explore connections across and between cultures and people.
