Novas’ career spans several decades and encompasses works of fiction and non-fiction. Her published work includes poetry, plays, novels, reference books, and a cookbook about
Latin American cuisine. She began her writing career as a teenager, when
Nobel Prize laureate
Camilo José Cela published her poems in his literary journal,
Papeles de son Armadans. Later, she worked as a journalist, magazine editor and publicist for
Vanidades,
The New York Times,
The Connoisseur,
The Christian Science Monitor, and other publications. As a human rights activist, Novas was an early member of the
National Organization for Women. She continues to work on behalf of women and those in the
GBLT community and was featured in the book
Feminists Who Changed America, 1963–1975 (2006). She has served on the board of
Veteran Feminists of America. As a public speaker and visiting professor at educational institutions such as
Wellesley College, the
University of California, Santa Barbara, and
Clark University, Novas has specialized in a wide range of topics, including her own fiction and non-fiction works,
Latino culture,
feminism, and Gay and Lesbian history and culture. She served as feature editor for
The Multicultural Review. In the late 1990s, Novas hosted 'The Novas Report' on KQSB 990-AM in
Santa Barbara. In 2011, Himilce Novas was the recipient of a National Women's Political Caucus “Women of Courage” Award. ==Selected bibliography==