Cassie Hart

Hart, Cassie (1980 – ) (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māhaki ki Makaawhio) is a prolific speculative fiction writer whose work explores the intersections of identity, culture, and the supernatural. Raised and residing in Taranaki, she draws inspiration from her Māori heritage and the landscapes of Aotearoa.

In 2018, Hart was selected for the Te Papa Tupu writing programme, where she developed her debut novel Butcherbird under the mentorship of acclaimed writer Whiti Hereaka. The novel delves into themes of family secrets and ancestral hauntings, earning critical acclaim and the Best Novel award at the 2022 Sir Julius Vogel Awards.

Beyond her writing, Hart is an active editor and mentor. She has co-edited several award winning anthologies, most recently Death in the Mouth, an anthology of horror from the margins; a volume of short stories and illustrations from BIPOC writers and artists. She is passionate about creating space for Māori narratives within the speculative fiction genre and has been recognised for her contributions with a Sir Julius Vogel Award for Services to Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror in 2021.

She has also self-published over ten novels and novellas under the pen name Nova Blake, spanning genres such as paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and science fiction.