Ian Stephen was born on the Isle of Lewis where he still lives. His first collection of poems was Malin, Hebrides, Minches (Dangaroo Press, 1983) and his most recent is Maritime (Saraband, 2016). He also publishes fiction and non-fiction. A study of the craft and culture of the vessels of Scotland, Boatlines: Scottish Craft of Sea, Coast and Canal, was published by Birlinn in March 2023.

Ian Stephen's work featured in Stand Magazine comprises two contributions of poetry, over a period of nine years.