DC student Cassandra Watt to host author reading for debut novel

Durham College (DC) journalism student Cassandra Watt is inviting the campus community into a story about grief, resilience and healing as she shares her debut fantasy novel, Adventures in Haesticrye, at a public author reading later this month.

Adventures in Haesticrye follows Feran, a young character navigating grief after the loss of their mother. Consumed by guilt, Feran embarks on a magical quest that could bring her back, encountering fairies, mages and other fantastical beings along the way. Through the story, Watt explores grief and resilience, showing that it’s okay to feel and process loss. “The message I want people to take away about grief is that you shouldn’t push it away — you’re allowed to grieve,” she says.

Much of the novel was written during Watt’s time at DC. “Funnily enough, DC was the place where I wrote most of the chapters,” she shares. “I’d write a handful of times in class, but most of it was spent between classes in small study areas, if not there, outside the classroom doors. DC just has a feeling that makes me want to write to my heart’s content.” She adds that her college experience was especially helpful in completing her final draft and planning a sequel.

“It means a lot to me, getting to share my work with my fellow students,” Watt said, reflecting on the opportunity to present her book to the campus community and connect with readers in person.

Watt will read from her book and meet the campus community at the Campus Store on January 21 at 3 p.m. The event is open to all students and employees and will include a live reading, a question-and-answer session, and copies of the book available for purchase, which Watt will sign for attendees.