#158 - Author Chat w/ Xiran Jay Zhao

Books and Boba

On this episode, we chat with debut author Xiran Jay Zhao about their debut novel Iron Widow, a Sci-Fi/Fantasy re-imagining of Chinese Empress Wu Zetian's rise to power in an Asian inspired world with giant monsters and fantastical mechas. Pitched as Pacific Rim meets The Handmaid's Tale, Iron WIdow tells the story of how a driven and rage-filled girl from the sticks rises through the ranks as a giant robot pilot and takes on the space patriarchy. We chat with Xiran about their journey to becoming a published author, their inspirations for writing Iron Widow, and what is up with that cow onesie?

Follow Xiran on twitter at @xiranjayzhao and check out their book Iron Widow on sale now!

*Buy the book & support the podcast at our bookshop *

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Pre-orders for this first run close on October 21.

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The Books & Boba October 2021 pick is The Inugami Curse by Seishi Yokomizo

This podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective

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"Inheriting" is a show about Asian American and Pacific Islander families, which explores how one event in history can ripple through generations. In doing so, the show seeks to break apart the AAPI monolith and tell a fuller story of these communities. In each episode, NPR’s Emily Kwong sits down with one family and facilitates deeply emotional conversations between their loved ones, exploring how their most personal, private moments are an integral part of history. Through these stories, we show how the past is personal and how to live with the legacies we’re constantly inheriting. New episodes premiere every Thursday. Subscribe to “Inheriting” on your app of choice

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