Picture a New York storyteller who spins chilling tales that haunt your dreams and tickle your funny bone—meet Nat Cassidy! This award-winning novelist, playwright, actor, and musician is a true renaissance man, blending horror and speculative fiction with a darkly comic twist. From his novelization of the sci-fi podcast Steal the Stars to his bone-chilling horror novels, Cassidy’s work captivates readers and critics alike, earning spots on best-of lists from NPR to Esquire.
Born in North Carolina and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, Cassidy’s journey to becoming a horror maestro is as eclectic as his stories. With a knack for storytelling that spans the page, stage, and screen, he’s a creative force who’s redefining modern horror with wit and heart.
The Making of Nat Cassidy
Nat Cassidy was born on September 25, 1981, and grew up in Phoenix, where his love for horror took root early. As a kid, nothing grabbed his attention like a scary story, and by age six, he was hooked on Shakespeare, thanks to a teacher who introduced him to Macbeth’s witches and madness. After earning a BFA in Acting/Directing from the University of Arizona, Cassidy moved to New York City, diving into the indie theater scene as an actor, director, and playwright. His early plays, often steeped in horror and literary allusion, earned him a spot in the Indie Theater Hall of Fame.
Nat Cassidy’s Unforgettable Stories
Cassidy’s writing is a thrilling mix of horror, humor, and historical nods, often featuring complex characters and genre-bending plots. His debut novel, Steal the Stars (2017), adapted from the Tor Labs podcast, is a sci-fi noir about a security chief guarding a crashed alien ship. Critics praised its sharp pacing and heartfelt characters, naming it one of NPR’s best books of 2017. His horror novel Mary: An Awakening of Terror (2022) reimagines Stephen King’s Carrie through a feminist lens, tackling perimenopause and misogynistic tropes with visceral intensity. Nestlings (2023) channels Rosemary’s Baby, weaving Jewish protagonists into a paranoid thriller about demonic neighbors. His novella Rest Stop (2024), a Bram Stoker Award nominee, delivers splatterpunk chaos with anarchic glee.
Cassidy’s plays, like the Lovecraft-inspired I Am Providence and the Caligula-themed The Reckoning of Kit & Little Boots, have won New York Innovative Theatre Awards for their bold, darkly funny takes on historical figures and cosmic dread. His style—grounded in human emotion yet unafraid to embrace the grotesque—makes his stories resonate long after the final page.
Why Nat Cassidy Matters
Nat Cassidy is shaping horror’s next golden age, as Esquire aptly noted, by blending traditional tropes with fresh perspectives. His work tackles heavy themes—identity, fear, societal pressures—while staying accessible and entertaining. As a playwright, he’s proven horror can thrive on stage, using minimal effects to maximize human connection. His novels, praised by Harper’s Bazaar and the NY Public Library, invite readers to confront their fears with a wry smile. Beyond writing, Cassidy’s acting roles on shows like Law & Order: SVU and his music with Nat Cassidy & the Nines add layers to his cultural impact, making him a multifaceted artist to watch.
- Born: September 25, 1981
- Key Works: Steal the Stars, Mary: An Awakening of Terror, Nestlings, Rest Stop
- Awards: New York Innovative Theatre Awards, Bram Stoker Award nominee
Ready to get spooked and charmed? Grab Mary: An Awakening of Terror and dive into Nat Cassidy’s wickedly clever world of horror!