Maria Quinn worked as an advertisting copywriter in Sydney before continuing her career in the US, Canada and the UK. After working in London as a Creative Director, she returned to Australia and became a magazine editor and feature writer. Quinn also wrote for television.
In 2007, Quinn won the Todhunter Literary Award for short story; she was also the recipient of a Varuna Fellowship. Quinn's ashes were scattered over the rose garden at Varuna in early July 2010.