Stephenjohn Holgate was born in Port Antonio, Jamaica and moved to London when he was eight. After reading English at Oxford University, he worked as an actor for number of years, spending much of that time working in youth theatre developing and directing original writing. He is a member of Writing West Midlands writer development program and is a 2023 Pen/Dau prize winner for his short story 'Delroy and the Boys'. He is also a member of the HarperCollins UK Author Academy 2023. His story 'The Skull of and Unnamed African Boy' was longlisted for the 4th Estate/ Guardian 4th Write Short Story Prize. Stephenjohn spends his time reading, writing, teaching and playing capoeira in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Basic Bio

Born in Jamaica, I have spent important years of my life living in the US ant the UK. I read English at Oxford University and worked as an actor for number of years, spending much of that time working in youth theatre developing and directing original writing. I am a member of Writing West Midlands writer development program and won a 2023 Pen/Dau prize for my short story 'Delroy and the Boys'. I am a member of the HarperCollins UK Author Academy 2023 and my story 'The Skull of and Unnamed African Boy' was longlisted for the 4th Estate/ Guardian 4th Write Short Story Prize. I spend my time reading, writing, teaching and playing capoeira in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand.