Sarah Brill grew up in Perth and began writing at the age of 15. She initially focused on playwrighting but also wrote for film and radio. She attended four National Young Playwrights Workshops before graduating to the National Playwrights Conference in 1994 with her play Who the Fuck is Erica Price.

Who the Fuck is Erica Price was first performed in 1996, produced for Artrage, the Perth Fringe Festival. In 1998, Sarah worked as a writer in residence with Salamanca Theatre Company in the production of Reality Check and in 2000 wrote a commissioned play for them entitled Super Serious. She has had two radio plays produced by the ABC, BORED in 1997 and See in 2001. In 1999, she was awarded a two-year mentorship through Playworks.

Her first novel Glory which dealt with anorexia was published by Spinifex Press in 2002. After the birth of her children Sarah became interested in sustainability and permaculture. In 2017 Sarah completed a Masters of Sustainable Built Environment and currently works in organics diversion. Sarah lives in Sydney with her partner and three sons. Symphony for the Man is her second novel.