Steve MinOn was an internationally awarded advertising copywriter before becoming a writer of fiction and children’s picture books. Born in North Queensland, he now lives in Magandjin/Brisbane. Steve’s debut novel, First Name Second Name (UQP 2025), was shortlisted for the 2026 Miles Franklin Literary Award and the 2026 MUD Literary Award and won the unpublished manuscript award at the 2023 Queensland Literary Awards. It was also nominated for the 2026 Dublin Literary Award. His children’s picture book, Make Them Say Poo (Affirm 2026) was published under his pen name, Stephen and was illustrated by Rudi de Wet.

He has written often about outsiders and his family’s mixed-race ancestral history and his articles and stories have been published in SBS Voices and various newspapers, journals and anthologies. 

Steve is represented by Martin Shaw @ The Books Desk.