Edward Step was the author of many popular and specialist books on various aspects of nature. His many works on botany, zoology and mycology were published between 1894 and (posthumously) 1941. Some of his books on flowers were illustrated by his daughter, Mabel Emily Step, including the 1905 pocket guide entitled Wayside and Woodland Blossoms. He also contributed to the periodical Science-Gossip: An Illustrated Monthly Record of Nature, Country Lore & Applied Science.