T Kira Madden

T Kira Māhealani Madden is a Kanaka 'Ōiwi writer.

Her debut novel, Whidbey, was published by Mariner Books in March 2026. The Chicago Review of Books listed it as one of "Our Most Anticipated Books of 2026."

Background and education T Kira Māhealani Madden grew up in Boca Raton, Florida. She is the niece of American fashion designer Steve Madden and the cousin of artist A.V. Phibes.

Madden has described herself "as a full-fucking-blown 50-footer lesbian". Of the queer material in her memoir, she has said, "I always knew I was gay, but I didn't understand the knowing, and that feels really true to me...As much as I wanted to front load the book with queer material, this feels truer to how I lived it. It was always present and by my side but it was operating in a different plane."

Madden is also a photographer and an amateur magician.

Career Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls At a writers' residency after the death of her father, Madden intended to work on a novel. Instead, she found herself writing nonfiction, which turned into her memoir. In Literary Hub, Madden describes it as "a coming-of-age memoir growing up in Boca Raton, Florida, in a very privileged Jewish community as a biracial, queer girl with a lot of family secrets: two addict parents and a famous family, as well."

Tessa Fontaine at The New York Times wrote, "This is a fearless debut that carries as much tenderness as pain. The author never shrinks from putting herself back into the world after every hurt, and we are lucky for it...it's all compulsively readable, not just because of those big themes, but because of the embodied, needle-fine moments that make the stories sing." Electric Literature said, "What makes Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls so exceptional is the compassion Madden brings to the page." Ilana Masad at NPR said, "In baring the bad and ugly alongside the good, Madden has succeeded in creating a mirror of larger concerns, even as her own story is achingly specific and personal." Kirkus Reviews said, "Though the author's aching emotional rawness sometimes makes for difficult reading, this is a deeply courageous work that chronicles one artist's jagged—and surprisingly beautiful—path to wholeness. Affecting, fearless, and unsparingly honest."

When asked what she hopes others take away from the book, Madden said, "I hope people feel the power of being an outsider."

Madden has said that No Tokens was founded because "there was and is a need for more balance in publishing. There is a need for people to start paying attention, and I'm glad so many are. I admired what VIDA was doing; I admired many journals and publishers who said, 'We're here. Look.' It is unacceptable to ignore the numbers, and I wanted to be a part of that response."

On editing, she's said "Being an editor sharpens the eye and ear, yada yada, of course, but really, if we're talking artistic development, founding and editing a journal has taught me everything about generosity and community building. The longer I'm here, the more I believe those qualities matter as much as craft."

Whidbey: A Novel Madden's debut novel, Whidbey, was published by Mariner Books in March 2026 and became an instant National Bestseller. The book received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist, and was recommended by The New York Times. Kirkus Reviews wrote, "Moving among multiple perspectives that showcase a gift for creating in-depth, psychologically complex character portraits, Madden weaves a dark, propulsive narrative. As unrelenting as it is probing and compassionate, this extraordinary novel addresses themes—like childhood sexual assault and damaged love—that eloquently force readers out of their comfort zones. A searingly original novel that examines the impact of sexual trauma on the human psyche." Electric Literature noted, "In Madden’s hands, this noir revenge story is full of so much more than blood... Madden’s debut novel subverts notions of power and powerlessness, particularly regarding women’s bodies, while asking complex questions about honesty and culpability."

The novel was named one of "The Best Books of 2026" by Vogue and Esquire.