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 *---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.---Follow our hosts:Reera Yoo (@reeraboo)Marvin Yueh (@marvinyueh)Follow us:FacebookTwitterGoodreads GroupThe Books & Boba October 2021 pick is The Inugami Curse by Seishi YokomizoThis podcast is part of Potluck: An Asian American Podcast Collective