Kiana Nguyen (Agent)
THE REGISTRATION LINK FOR KIANA NGUYEN WILL ACTIVATE WHEN MANUSCRIPT MART REGISTRATION OPENS FOR GRUBSTREET MEMBERS ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, AT 1:00 PM EST.
Kiki Nguyen started in publishing in 2015 with an internship with Wunderkind PR, an independent book publishing PR company, working on campaigns with authors such as Ernest Cline. There, she discovered a practical industry for her codependent love of fiction. She joined Donald Maass Literary Agency in 2016 as an intern and is now an agent building her own list.
Kiki represents young adult and adult fiction across genres, with a particular hunger for Horror and genre-Thrillers and a focus on queer and BIPOC authors.
She has represented New York Times, USA Today, Sunday Times bestsellers, and award winning titles.
Kiana Nguyen's Availability During Manuscript Mart Week:
Zoom Meetings with Kiana will be scheduled within these time periods (all EDT), but are subject to change. If Kiana must make a change to this schedule, we will arrange a mutually agreeable Zoom time outside of Manuscript Mart Week.
- Wednesday, May 13: 1:00–7:00 EDT
- Thursday, May 14: 1:00–7:00 EDT
- Friday, May 15: 1:00–7:00 EDT
- Saturday, May 16: 1:00–7:00 EDT
Zoom Meetings with Kiana will be scheduled within these time periods (all EDT), but are subject to change. If Kiana must make a change to this schedule, we will arrange a mutually agreeable Zoom time outside of Manuscript Mart Week.
What I'm Looking For
As a queer Black and Vietnamese woman, Kiki is especially interested in seeing queer BIPOC characters featured in high concept commercial stories across Adult and Young Adult fiction. She represents science fiction, fantasy, romance, women’s fiction with a very special interest in horror, domestic suspense, psychological and speculative thrillers.
Kiki’s sweet spot is a fast-paced plot led by unforgettable opinionated characters who are forced to confront their demons in order to get themselves out of trouble, but she can’t deny being a sucker for the right emotionally driven introspective journey.
Above all, she is a better fit for the unlikable bad girl than the rule abiding overachiever.
2026 ULTIMATE WISH: Time loop(s) or Alternate Universes in Horror, Thriller, SFF, and Spec fiction in YA or Adult!
Sample Titles or Authors
Upcoming 2026 Horror Debut: NIGHT OF THE MALLRATS by Nicolina Torres where a group of former classmates travel back in time to investigate the disappearance of their friend and the murder of her boyfriend.
Upcoming 2026 release: THE FELICITY COMPLEX by August Clarke, a darkly comedic horror novel about disgruntled staff for a luxury bunker who cannibalize their ultra-wealthy guests.
Specializes In / Will Consider
Specializes in:
FICTION: Horror, Thrillers/Suspense, Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance
Will consider:
FICTION: Science Fiction, Mystery