Meet the Bestselling Vancouver YA Author Who Mixes Chinese History With Giant Robot Battles

Xiran Jay Zhao, a Vancouver YouTuber and author, first tasted internet fame last year after publishing a series of popular videos explaining Chinese history and critiquing pop culture, often while wearing elaborate traditional costumes and makeup. In September, Zhao (who uses they/them pronouns) published their first novel Iron Widow, which spent nine weeks on The New York Times best-seller list of young adult hardcovers. The book is a raucous, rebellious, tongue-in-cheek mashup of Chinese history, pop culture tropes, feminist commentary, unconventional romance, and giant robot battles. Zhao spoke to MONTECRISTO about unexpected fame, Chinese culture, and the historical inspirations behind…