Xiran Jay Zhao

Last updated

Xiran Jay Zhao
Born
China
Alma mater Simon Fraser University
Occupation(s)Author, Internet personality
Years active2020–present
Notable work Iron Widow , Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor
Website xiranjayzhao.com

Xiran Jay Zhao is a Canadian author, Internet personality, and cosplayer. Their [lower-alpha 1] debut novel, Iron Widow , became a No. 1 New York Times Best Seller and won the 2021 BSFA Award for Best Book for Younger Readers.

Contents

Early life

Xiran Jay Zhao immigrated to British Columbia from a small town in China in grade five. [2] Their father is of Hui heritage. [3] Zhao would imagine stories growing up, but did not put any on paper until being 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 on a different career. [4]

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. [5] Rock the Boat, the children's imprint of Oneworld Publications, acquired the UK rights in May 2021. [6] They described the series as a "monstrous amalgamation of my love for anime and my love for Chinese harem dramas". [7] [8] 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. [9] [10] [11] The second installment in the series, Iron Widow 2: Heavenly Tyrant, was scheduled for release in April 2024; [12] [13] however, the release date has been delayed. [14]

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. [15] [16] They credit 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. [17] Jessica Singer, for CBC News in August 2021, highlighted the impact of BookTok on sales of young adult fiction. Singer wrote that "books like Iron Widow by Canadian author Xiran Jay Zhao are already gaining popularity online, even before the book's release date in late September". [18] Kara Savoy, Penguin Random House Canada's integrated marketing director, told Singer that "when Xiran did an unboxing video of their advanced copies a few weeks ago [on TikTok], the pre-sale numbers in the U.S. went up 600 per cent that week". [18]

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, [19] [20] an imprint of Simon & Schuster. [21] It was released on 10 May 2022. [22] The novel debuted at #4 on the New York Times Best Seller list in the Children's Middle Grade Hardcover category; [23] it remained on the list for two weeks. [24] Alec Scott, for The Globe and Mail , compared Zachary Ying to Zhao's Iron Widow and commented that "the two books speak to Zhao's obsessions – both with anime, the visual storytelling popularized in Japan that's gone global, and with Chinese history and mythology. [...] In both novels, the mythic past gets translated into the future. [...] For all their differences of mood, the novels rescue what is valuable to Zhao in Chinese history and myth, and project it forward – creating artistic acts of cultural reappropriation". [25]

Zhao was a finalist for the Astounding Award for Best New Writer in 2022. [26] In 2023, they received enough votes to be a finalist again but were declared ineligible and removed from the ballot. [27] [28] It later emerged that this was due to self-censorship by the Hugo Award administrators of the 81st World Science Fiction Convention – which was held in Chengdu, China – in order to appease the Chinese government, which has a strict censorship regime. [29] [30] [31] In 2024, Zhao was finalist again for the Astounding Award for Best New Writer after the award sponsor Dell Magazines extended the eligibility requirements. [32] In December 2023, Zhao exposed Cait Corrain's "pattern of leaving one-star reviews through fake Goodreads accounts, mostly on the debut works of first-time writers of color, while leaving positive reviews on her own forthcoming book". [33] This resulted in Corrain being dropped by her publishers. [34]

Bibliography

Young adult

Middle grade

Awards and nominations

YearWorkAwardCategoryResultRef.
2021 Iron Widow
Nebula Award Andre Norton Award Nominated [35]
Goodreads Choise Award Young Adult Fantasy & Science FictionNominated [36]
The Kitschies Golden Tentacle (Debut Novel)Nominated [37]
2022 Astounding Award (New Writer)Finalist [38] [39]
Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book AwardsYoung AdultWon [40]
British Fantasy Award Newcomer (The Sydney J. Bounds Award)Nominated [41] [42]
BSFA Award Fiction for Younger ReadersWon [43]
CCBC Book Awards Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and FantasyWon [44] [45]
Amy Mathers Teen Book AwardWon [46] [45]
Locus Award First Novel Nominated [47] [48]
Young Adult Novel Nominated [47] [48]
Lodestar Award (Young Adult Book)Finalist [38] [39]
Pacific Northwest Book Award —Won [49]

Notes

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References

  1. ↑ "Press Kit". XiranJayZhao.com. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 10 November 2021.
  2. ↑ "Ten Terrifying Questions with Xiran Jay Zhao!". Booktopia. 8 October 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  3. ↑ "Xiran Jay Zhao". Simon & Schuster. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  4. ↑ Chue, James (26 September 2021). "Empress Smashes Alien Mechas in Chinese-Canadian Author's New Book". Radii. Archived from the original on 18 May 2022. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  5. ↑ "Rights Report: Week of March 16, 2020". Publishers Weekly. 16 March 2020. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  6. ↑ "Rock the Boat signs Chinese-inspired YA SF, Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao". Oneworld Publications. 7 May 2021. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  7. ↑ "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. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  8. ↑ Morrissy, Kim (6 June 2022). "How DARLING in the FRANXX Inspired a New York Times Bestselling YA Novel". Anime News Network. News. Archived from the original on 9 June 2022. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Young Adult Hardcover Books – Best Sellers – Books – Oct. 10, 2021". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 3 November 2021. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  10. ↑ Codega, Linda H. (22 September 2021). "Historical Fantasy at Its Most Anime: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao". Tor. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  11. ↑ Colyard, KW (9 April 2021). "Xiran Jay Zhao's Iron Widow Combines Ancient Chinese Culture And Mecha Science Fiction". Bustle. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  12. ↑ Zhao, Xiran Jay [@XiranJayZhao] (10 March 2023). "This isn't an announcement I wanted to make, but Heavenly Tyrant isn't coming out this year. Trust me, you don't want it the way it is right now. I am unwilling to put out a rushed sequel for the sake of quicker capitalist profits, so its new release date is APRIL 30, 2024 1/? [IMAGE]" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 March 2023– via Twitter.
  13. ↑ Ulatowski, Rachel (17 March 2023). "Publishing's Unlivable Wages Delayed a Highly Anticipated Sequel From a Bestselling Author". The Mary Sue. Archived from the original on 17 March 2023. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  14. 1 2 Zhao, Xiran Jay [@XiranJayZhao] (23 January 2024). "OK fuck it, specifically they're refusing to give me something I need that could've kept the book in 2024 bc of our conflict even though I told them I'm willing to put my grievances aside to make the tight deadline. They've been dragging their feet for almost a month now. [...] Well to be very fair it was never going to come out in April because I was too absorbed in advocacy for Palestine to work much on the book, but I hoped to at least keep it in 2024" (Tweet). Retrieved 12 May 2024– via Twitter.
  15. ↑ Universe, Greg (9 September 2020). "Chinese Writer Hilariously Breaks Down Disney's Live-Action Mulan". GeekFeed. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  16. ↑ Nawotka, Ed (24 September 2021). "Publishing in Canada 2021: Novelist Xiran Jay Zhao on Blending SciFi and Chinese History". Publishers Weekly. Archived from the original on 3 December 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  17. ↑ Koehler, Mimi (20 September 2021). "Q&A: Xiran Jay Zhao, Author of 'Iron Widow'". The Nerd Daily. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  18. 1 2 Singer, Jessica (29 August 2021). "BookTok's novel approach to books is helping Canadian authors, retailers attract new audiences". CBC News . Archived from the original on 29 August 2021. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  19. ↑ "Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor|Hardcover". Barnes & Noble. Archived from the original on 14 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  20. ↑ Brooks, Rachel (1 May 2022). "Children's Book Review: Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor (Zachary Ying #1) by Xiran Jay Zhao". Publishers Weekly . Archived from the original on 10 October 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  21. ↑ Zhao, Xiran Jay (10 May 2022). Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   9781665900706. Archived from the original on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  22. ↑ "New Books: 10 May 2022". Locus Online. 12 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 14 May 2022.
  23. ↑ "Children's Middle Grade Hardcover". The New York Times. 29 May 2022. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  24. ↑ "Children's Middle Grade Hardcover Books - Best Sellers - Books - June 5, 2022 - The New York Times". The New York Times. ISSN   0362-4331. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  25. ↑ Scott, Alec (16 June 2022). "Xiran Jay Zhao uses the power of #BookTok to find new audiences". The Globe and Mail. Archived from the original on 26 June 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  26. ↑ "2022 Hugo, Astounding, and Lodestar Awards Winners". Locus. 4 September 2022. Archived from the original on 20 March 2023. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  27. ↑ Guy, Zoe (16 February 2024). "The Hugo Awards Scandal Is a Mess". Vulture. Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  28. ↑ Haile, Nardos (16 February 2024). "Hugo Awards scandal: Why the prestigious sci-fi literary awards is under fire for censorship". Salon. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  29. ↑ Hawkins, Amy (15 February 2024). "Authors 'excluded from Hugo awards over China concerns'". The Guardian . Archived from the original on 16 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  30. ↑ Alter, Alexandra (17 February 2024). "Some Authors Were Left Out of Awards Held in China. Leaked Emails Show Why" . The New York Times . Archived from the original on 17 February 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  31. ↑ Gennis, Sadie; Polo, Susana (24 January 2024). "The biggest sci-fi/fantasy award has been accused of censorship, and the situation is a mess". Polygon. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 17 February 2024.
  32. ↑ "2024 Hugo Award Finalists | Glasgow 2024". 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  33. ↑ Zornosa, Laura (13 December 2023). "An Author Review Bombed Books on Goodreads. Then Her Debut Book Was Dropped". Time. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  34. ↑ Creamer, Ella (13 December 2023). "Publisher drops author for using fake accounts to 'review-bomb' peers". Guardian. Retrieved 18 December 2023.
  35. ↑ "Iron Widow". The Nebula Awards. Archived from the original on 27 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  36. ↑ "Announcing the Goodreads Choice Winner in Best Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction!". Goodreads. Archived from the original on 12 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
  37. ↑ "2021 Kitschies Shortlists". Locus Online. 16 September 2022. Archived from the original on 16 September 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2022.
  38. 1 2 "Canadians C.L. Polk & Fonda Lee nominated for 2022 Hugo Award for best series". CBC Books . 11 April 2022. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  39. 1 2 Brooke, David (7 April 2022). "2022 Hugo Awards finalists, including in comics, announced". AIPT. Archived from the original on 22 April 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  40. ↑ "2022 B&N Children's, YA Book Award Winners Announced". Publishers Weekly . 2 May 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  41. ↑ "British Fantasy Awards Shortlists". Archived from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  42. ↑ "British Fantasy Awards 2022: Winners announced". 17 September 2022. Archived from the original on 3 February 2023. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  43. ↑ "2022 BFSA Award Winners Announced". Starburst Magazine . 16 April 2022. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
  44. ↑ Canadian Children's Book Centre [@kidsbookcentre] (29 September 2022). "And the Arlene Barlin Award for Science Fiction and Fantasy sponsored by Elly Barlin-Daniels goes to… [IMAGE]" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 September 2022– via Twitter.
  45. 1 2 "Winners of the 2022 CCBC Book Awards revealed". Quill & Quire. 30 September 2022. Archived from the original on 3 December 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
  46. ↑ Canadian Children's Book Centre [@kidsbookcentre] (29 September 2022). "And the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award sponsored by the Canadian Children's Book Centre goes to… [IMAGE]" (Tweet). Retrieved 30 September 2022– via Twitter.
  47. 1 2 Armstrong, Vanessa (11 May 2022). "Here Are the Finalists for the 2022 Locus Awards". Tor.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  48. 1 2 "2022 Locus Awards Winners". Locus Online. 25 June 2022. Archived from the original on 17 July 2022. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  49. ↑ "2022 Awards". Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association. Archived from the original on 16 May 2022. Retrieved 13 May 2022.
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