Brian Steimel attended Eastern Michigan University from 1975-1979, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in English. He worked as a student employee in dining from 1976-1977, and then became a student worker in the library from 1977 through the early 1980s. He graduated from EMU wth a Master's Degree in Drama & Theater for the Young with a specialization in puppetry in 1986. Steimel taught as an adjunct lecturer for the theater department's puppetry class. Over the years, Steimel held many positions in the library, including circulation Supervisor from the mid-1980s until his retirement in 2019.

Outside of EMU, Steimel has had artwork published in New York Arts Magazine, Art Fairs International, and Between the Lines. He has participated in multiple exhibits in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Cambridge, New York, London, and Madison, Wiconsin. Steimel has published poetry in Cellar Roots, Centaur, Bardic Echos Poetry Quarterly, (off the mic), and Scarab Club Annual. He was the 1975 winner of the Detroit News Scholastic Writing Awards- Gold Key Poetry and a 2004 Honorable Mention of the (off the mic) 2004 Ann Arbor Poetry Slam Anthology.

Steimel toured with the Meredith Bixby Marionettes as a Professional Puppeteer from 1971-1981. Most recently, he has served four terms on the Ypsilanti District Library Board of Trustees 2008-2024 and on the Ypsilanti Co-op Board of Directors from 1998-2000.