Jump to content

Xiran Jay Zhao

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Francesca2100 (talk | contribs) at 16:56, 30 December 2021 (citation for nyt best seller status). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Xiran Jay Zhao
Born (1997-09-29) 29 September 1997 (age 26)
China
Alma materSimon Fraser University
Occupation(s)Author, Internet personality
Years active2020–present
Websitexiranjayzhao.com

Xiran Jay Zhao (born 29 September 1997) is a Chinese-Canadian author, Internet personality, and cosplayer. Their[a] debut novel, Iron Widow, became a No. 1 New York Times Best Seller.[2][3]

Early life

Zhao immigrated to British Columbia from a small town in China in grade five.[4] They are of Hui heritage on their father's side.[5] They would imagine stories growing up, but did not put any on paper until they were encouraged to at an anime convention when they were 15. They majored in health sciences with a focus on biochemical disease research at Simon Fraser University, graduating in 2020. They worked at a co-op before deciding an office job was not for them.[6]

Career

In March 2020, Zhao signed a two-book deal with Penguin Teen Canada for a young adult (YA) mecha reimagining of the rise of the Chinese Empress Wu.[7] Rock the Boat, the children's imprint of Oneworld Publications, acquired the UK rights in May 2021.[8] Zhao described the series as a "monstrous amalgamation of my love for anime and my love for Chinese harem dramas".[9] The first installment in the series, Iron Widow, was published in September 2021 and reached No. 1 in the Young Adult Hardcover category of the New York Times Best Seller list.[10]

In September 2020, Zhao went viral, first on a Twitter thread followed by their first YouTube video, for their criticisms of Disney's live-action Mulan remake and its cultural inaccuracies.[11][12] Zhao credits their presence on the Internet as a self-described "Chinese history memer" for the success of Iron Widow, which was initially expected to only appeal to a niche audience.[13]

At the beginning of 2021, Zhao landed their second book deal for Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor, a middle grade contemporary fantasy with Margaret K. McElderry Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, after a bidding war. It is set for a May 2022 release.[14]

Bibliography

Young adult

  • Iron Widow (2021)
  • Untitled Iron Widow sequel (TBA)

Middle grade

  • Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor (2022)

Notes

  1. ^ Zhao is non-binary and prefers they/them pronouns.[1]

References

  1. ^ "Press Kit". XiranJayZhao.com. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  2. ^ Codega, Linda H. (22 September 2021). "Historical Fantasy at Its Most Anime: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao". Tor. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. ^ Colyard, KW (9 April 2021). "Xiran Jay Zhao's Iron Widow Combines Ancient Chinese Culture And Mecha Science Fiction". Bustle. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Ten Terrifying Questions with Xiran Jay Zhao!". Booktopia. 8 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Xiran Jay Zhao". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  6. ^ Chue, James (26 September 2021). "Empress Smashes Alien Mechas in Chinese-Canadian Author's New Book". Radii. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Rights Report: Week of March 16, 2020". Publishers Weekly. 16 March 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  8. ^ "Rock the Boat signs Chinese-inspired YA SF, Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao". Oneworld Publications. 7 May 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  9. ^ "Our Friend is Here! Asian Heritage Month Edition – An Interview with Xiran Jay Zhao, Author of Iron Widow; On Feminist Fantasy, Giant Robots, & Diaspora Worldbuilding". The Quiet Pond. 7 May 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  10. ^ "Young Adult Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - Books - Oct. 10, 2021 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-12-30.
  11. ^ Universe, Greg (9 September 2020). "Chinese Writer Hilariously Breaks Down Disney's Live-Action Mulan". GeekFeed. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  12. ^ Nawotka, Ed (24 September 2021). "Publishing in Canada 2021: Novelist Xiran Jay Zhao on Blending SciFi and Chinese History". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  13. ^ Koehler, Mimi (20 September 2021). "Q&A: Xiran Jay Zhao, Author of 'Iron Widow'". The Nerd Daily. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  14. ^ "Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved 24 October 2021.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Xiran_Jay_Zhao&oldid=1062804290"