S(tephen) M(artin) Guariento was educated at the Manchester Grammar School. After this he spent an instructive year in Leeds learning how not to be a dentist, before finally graduating from UMIST with a degree in Management Sciences. Since graduating he has been employed full-time in NHS Finance, where his affinity for the absurd finds a natural home. He spends his spare time obsessively re-reading the works of J.G.Ballard, collecting vintage film posters and listening to electronic music. He also enjoys bragging of his family connection with the 14th Century artist Guariento di Arpo, which scholars have yet to disprove. His first novel, INCARNADINE, was awarded the Quagga Prize Silver Medal for Fantasy in 2016.

Author Steve Guariento is presented with the 2016 Quagga Prize Silver Medal for Fantasy at Waterstones Bookshop, London (November 5th 2016)