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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Books and Boba Merch is on sale not! Check out our official apparel & tote bags at: https://www.bonfire.com/store/booksandboba/

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

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• Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)
• Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)

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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

Mentioned in this episode:

Introducing Home, Interrupted, a new podcast series from Feet in 2 Worlds

Climate change affects everyone, but it doesn’t affect everyone equally. Immigrants often bear a unique burden due to climate change, but they’re also leading the way with impactful solutions. Feet in 2 Worlds, the news outlet and journalism training organization for immigrant voices, presents Home, Interrupted. From flooded basement apartments in New York City to indigenous Maya farming practices in Nebraska, Feet in 2 Worlds’ Home, Interrupted brings you deeply reported, original stories from across the United States Episodes drop each week starting April 2nd. Find Feet in 2 Worlds’ Home, Interrupted wherever you listen to podcasts.

Home, Interrupted