He is best known for the poem Lines of Love and poetry collections Musings (1962), A Man's Hand (1964), and Selected Works (1965).

He was engaged in literary activity from 1919, after he became a member of the Communist Party and enlisting in the Red Army.

His themes include reflection on nature and on romantic love, however he was primarily known for his lyrics on social subjects (what in Russian poetical tradition is called гражданская лирика).

Schipachev was a member of the board of the Union of Soviet Writers and head of its poets section.

The Literary Museum of Stepan Shchipachev was established in 1993, dedicated to life and works of the Soviet poet.