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Xiran Jay Zhao

チョー・シー・ラン

Zhào Xīrán

Profile

Gender
non-binary
Born
China
Nationality
Canadian
Languages
English, Chinese
Residence History
China (birth to early elementary school) → British Columbia, Canada (since grade 5, currently Vancouver)

Career

Occupations
Author, Social media creator
Active Years
2020-2024
Nominations
Goodreads Choice Awards 2021 Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction (Iron Widow) Nominated, Nebula Award Andre Norton Award (Iron Widow) Shortlisted, Locus Award Best First Novel (Iron Widow) Nominated, Locus Award Best Young Adult Novel (Iron Widow) Nominated, British Fantasy Award Newcomer (Iron Widow) Shortlisted, Astounding Award for Best New Writer 2022 Finalist

Education

Simon Fraser University
Faculty of Health Sciences / Biochemistry
Degree: Bachelor of Science
Year of Graduation: 2020
Country: Canada

Awards

BSFA Award
2021
Work: Iron Widow
Category: Fiction for Younger Readers
Organization: British Science Fiction Association
Result: Won
Barnes & Noble Children's & YA Book Awards
2022
Work: Iron Widow
Category: Young Adult
Organization: Barnes & Noble
Result: Won
CCBC Book Awards Arlene Barlin Award
2022
Work: Iron Widow
Category: Science Fiction and Fantasy
Organization: Canadian Children's Book Centre
Result: Won
CCBC Book Awards Amy Mathers Teen Book Award
2022
Work: Iron Widow
Organization: Canadian Children's Book Centre
Result: Won
Pacific Northwest Book Award
2022
Work: Iron Widow
Organization: Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association
Result: Won
Astounding Award
2024
Category: Best New Writer
Organization: Dell Magazines
Result: Won
Aurora Awards
2025
Category: Best YA Novel
Result: Won

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Iron Widow

2021 Young adult science fiction mecha

YA mecha sci-fi reimagining of the rise of Empress Wu Zetian of China.

FeminismChinese historyAnimeHarem drama

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor

2022 Middle grade contemporary fantasy

Middle grade fantasy featuring Chinese history and mythology in a modern adventure.

Chinese mythologyHistoryAnime

Heavenly Tyrant (Iron Widow #2)

2024 Young adult science fiction mecha

Second installment in the Iron Widow series.

FeminismChinese history

Bibliography

  • Iron Widow (2021)
  • Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor (2022)
  • Heavenly Tyrant (Iron Widow #2, 2024)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Blending anime influences with Chinese historyDynamic action scenes
Recurring Motifs
Chinese mythology and historyMecha and fantasyCultural reappropriation

Legacy

Canadian author whose debut novel Iron Widow topped the New York Times bestseller list. Known for blending Chinese history and mythology with anime-inspired sci-fi and fantasy.

In Popular Culture

  • Viral video criticizing Disney's live-action Mulan cultural inaccuracies

Trivia

  • Uses they/them pronouns.
  • Father is of Hui heritage.
  • Went viral with Twitter thread and YouTube video critiquing Disney's live-action Mulan.
  • Disqualified from 2023 Astounding Award finalist due to Hugo admins' self-censorship for Chengdu Worldcon.
  • Exposed Cait Corrain's Goodreads review-bombing scandal.