Xiran Jay Zhao

Heavenly Tyrant, the sequel to Iron Widow, is finally out!

It's a weird feeling after so many years of losing hair over it. It didn't feel like I was capable of finishing the book until I wrote the last word. The publication process was not a happy one. I'm not doing any events for it, not even a launch. I'm typing this while lying in bed and thinking about what a terrible year it's been. We joked about 2020 being the worst year ever, yet every year since has been progressively worse. And the coming years do not show any indication of being better.

But a big theme in Heavenly Tyrant is that wherever there is oppression, there WILL be resistance. I have had as much heartwarming support from peers, friends, and readers as I've faced heinous shenanigans this year. When a very, very famous author I met this summer asked me "Are you a controversial person?" after I told him about the stuff I was going through, I answered "To many who hold power? Yes. To regular people? I don't think so."

I want to thank all of you who gave me the faith to say something like that. Most people I know are on the right side of history. If you aren't - I don't want to know you.

Anyway, the book. Heavenly Tyrant is SO different from Iron Widow that I'm pretty nervous about whether people would like it. I want to ask you all to adjust your expectations going in. You're not going to get another breakneck-paced story about a Girlboss Going Smash. The smashing was the easy part. Rebuilding what she broke into something better is much, much harder. The story is a lot slower by necessity, and the problems she faces are way more complicated to deal with. I also ask that you read until the end before making a judgement because, well, developments you don't like might not be endgame! And there's a book 3 coming! (This was always supposed to be a trilogy; it's just that my publisher was only willing to buy 2 books from me at first. They changed their minds after seeing the preorder numbers for IW.)

Finally, I want to bring everyone's attention to the five songs the Bookish Songs Collective wrote specifically for Iron Widow! They're available to stream right here on YouTube, or wherever you get your music. It blows my mind that MY book would get such epic music?! I can't thank or praise them enough. Seriously, CHECK THE EP OUT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=83KmI...

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1 month ago (edited) | [YT] | 8,097

Xiran Jay Zhao

Londoners, I will be doing a talk with Sofia Robleda, author of the beautiful Maya-myth-inspired historical fantasy Daughter of Fire, on August 21 at 6PM at Waterstones Covent Garden! You do need a ticket so get it now: www.waterstones.com/events/xiran-jay-zhou-and-sofi…

(yes they spelled my name wrong in the link)

5 months ago | [YT] | 1,741

Xiran Jay Zhao

Dutch readers - I'll be in Amsterdam for a meet & greet on Aug 2 5PM at the Scheltema bookstore! Attendance is free but you do have to register to get a ticket: www.eventbrite.com/e/tickets-xiran-jay-zhao-meet-g…



See you there if you're able to make it!

6 months ago | [YT] | 1,972

Xiran Jay Zhao

Hey, everyone, asking for help on behalf of a family of 11. I'm in personal contact with Nahed, who's stuck in G@z@ and hasn't been able to access her multiple sclerosis medication since October. Her doctor was straight up killed. Now she suffers mobility issues, joint pain, headaches, and seizures with no way to alleviate them. In addition, her husband has dwarfism, which runs in his family, and none of them have been able to access the medical care they need either. They NEED to get out as soon as possible, so please consider chipping in. If everyone chips in a little it adds up to a lot.

www.gofundme.com/f/help-a-family-from-gaza-evacuat…

There's also a separate fundraiser for Nada, a member of this family who managed to escape to Egypt but had to leave her husband and brother (who has muscular atrophy) behind. She gave birth just 3 days later and is now really struggling because she has no income and got out with literally nothing but the clothes on her and her children's backs. She desperately wants to be united with her husband and brother and really needs the support.

www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-rescue-needed-for-nadas-…

Go to linktr.ee/xiranjayzhao if the above links don't work

In case anyone needs a reminder: Collective punishment is a w@r crime.

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8 months ago | [YT] | 7,318

Xiran Jay Zhao

Singaporeans - I am flying over for the Asian Festival of Children's Content next week!! I am still emotionally preparing myself for Southeast Asian June heat but AT LEAST WE'LL GET THROUGH IT TOGETHER

You can still get passes to the festival!! 🥰afcc.com.sg/2023/speakers#xiran-jay-zhao

1 year ago | [YT] | 2,172

Xiran Jay Zhao

As part of fundraising efforts for earthquake relief in Turkey and Syria, I am putting up 5 signed copies of both Iron Widow and Zachary Ying for auction! I will include art prints inside the books and they can be personalized if you want.

There are also amazing items by other authors in the auction! Bid here:
www.32auctions.com/booksforturkiyeandsyria

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1 year ago | [YT] | 3,098

Xiran Jay Zhao

My Mulan 1998 video is now subbed in French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, and Czech! Now you can share it with your friends who speak these languages!

I'm in the process of commissioning subs for my other videos as well. Feel free to let me know if you spot a mistake in the subs.

PS. Reminder that I'm about to do a mini tour around the Pacific Northwest! See you if you can make it!

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2 years ago | [YT] | 3,292

Xiran Jay Zhao

Seattle, Portland, Vancouver - I'll be coming around in January with Rebecca Schaeffer, author of Not Even Bones (of webtoon fame) and the upcoming City of Nightmares! Come see us if you can!

2 years ago | [YT] | 1,298

Xiran Jay Zhao

I am now in Lisbon for Comic Con Portugal! Here's my con schedule, hope to see you if you can make it 🥰

Also, Iron Widow merch is back in stock at Dual Wield Studio! Get them at -> dualwieldstudio.com/collections/iron-widow-collect… (I'm especially fond of the double-sided charms myself)

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2 years ago | [YT] | 1,003

Xiran Jay Zhao

Omg Zachary Ying made it to the finals of the Goodreads Choice Awards!! I'm in the middle of my Europe trip so I didn't even realize there's only one day left to vote though asfhkfa but please do at www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/best-childrens-book… !

Speaking of Europe, thank you to everyone who came to my Paris event - hope you'll be happy to hear that my videos will have French subs soon, stay tuned 😉

And reminder that I have an upcoming event in Bologna, Italy and then I'm off to Comic Con Portugal! Unsure about my panel schedule right now but I'll be there Dec 9-12. Hope to see you in Lisbon!!

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2 years ago | [YT] | 1,992