https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/aboutme daily 0.75 2025-02-25 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1593267923127-U3A37L7ZVTE7O495IZRD/NC0620_PayalHeadshots_057.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author About me - Payal Doshi is the author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, a middle grade fantasy novel and recipient of the IPPY Gold Award. Her young adult short story, A Confluence of Fates, can be found in the YA anthology, My Big, Fat, Desi Wedding. Her forthcoming four-book series of chapter books, Magic Gems, published by Scholastic Inc. will be available in 2026. Payal has an MFA in Creative Writing (Fiction) from The New School, New York. When she isn’t writing, you can find her nose deep in a book with a cup of coffee or daydreaming of fantasy realms to send her characters into. Born and raised in Mumbai, India, she currently resides in Minneapolis, Minnesota with her husband and daughter. She loves writing stories that celebrate and champion her South Asian heritage. For more information, visit her website, www.payaldoshiauthor.com, or follow her on Instagram @payaldoshiauthor and on Twitter @payaldwrites. Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1591629755868-N51Q524YMP2YCRXIN58C/Commission_PD_Website2.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author About me Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1593449009508-981VGBG1EH0OINM7H9X5/Commission_PD_FunFacts2.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author About me Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar Fun Facts https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/books daily 0.75 2025-09-04 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/f372e07d-9af6-4a6d-9891-4ea09f49e690/Magic+Gems+%231_final+cover.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/92b72017-54e2-473b-93c4-f57f9d936574/Magic+Gems+%232_final+cover.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/08be5385-dd71-48be-b060-0961b19b71fe/MagicGems3_FrontCover.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/f6b108e7-0617-4b4b-bd45-238189a96113/Green+Dreamy+Magical+Illustrative+Fairy+Desktop+Wallpaper.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/a3e02b2a-41f0-4788-8815-43e29ed7d670/81VgD6Cat6L._SL1500_.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/99d77e39-6e57-47ba-817c-9e4b94b224d7/71YuCUVHZCL._SL1500_.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/aecef189-8a3e-4bbc-a2d8-65868aec2b64/Desi+contributor+names.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/e43ddff2-3813-4009-b34e-ef006027a764/%E2%80%8C1FINAL+COVER.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/0c650ad8-76b5-447b-bd30-f432f81c5ce8/SMA_2022_Seal_Winner+1.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books - Make it stand out Winner: First Time Author https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/aae7ba18-1028-4b53-ab91-05413a06250d/IPPY-medallion-nobg.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books - Make it stand out Gold Medalist Juvenile Fiction https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1600239353224-N3M2ZNUBSEBVHPSN2CUI/Rea+and+the+blood+of+the+nectar+.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/92016fee-0a6f-46a9-a28a-5913028cf5a6/Gold_Moonbeam_LR.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Books - Moonbeam Gold Winner - Pre-Teen Fiction Gold Winner: Pre-Teen Fiction https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/contactme daily 0.75 2025-03-10 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1593273279615-VCOABRJUSUL54RLIVUBX/Commission_PD_Contact.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Contact Me Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/funstuff daily 0.75 2021-08-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1620859142784-KU83OY82ZLYGKHOZM0SN/Meruk+final.JPG Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1620859186925-TEQP57OCJVXXX6I8RVP3/Astranthia+final.JPG Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629150503513-NIDKC419V5XGRQ60KADU/Copy+of+Pink+Polka+Dots+Background+with+Image+General+Recipe+Card.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629150815202-OPLO7BFJ3DMMWB7KLL5Y/Rea-sketch.PNG Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629150758014-3TXGF15OCBXHANAFX1US/Rea+Coloring+Sheet+2.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629150845527-PVPVQXTNJZS6XJTOC31M/Leela-sketch.PNG Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629150871298-JGJXVKMEMLGULU818YAX/Rohan-sketch.PNG Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629150783097-UDMU501TVRE7J78XKJ8G/Rea+Coloring+Sheet+1.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1589354520835-6OZPVRYDD7HVTWQMOGW7/image-asset.jpeg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1591717785388-Q3AWR0GV7BZD6HC6J9B6/image-asset.jpeg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1589360143129-A8DQRZGZZS9D0M8FWTCQ/image-asset.jpeg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1593272360474-XYSWA78BKCJ0F9NW6XV0/image-asset.jpeg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1589354593907-E6P67RV9UJ3KCR5KMDXW/image-asset.jpeg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1593272457871-X7ZMWW8UEFO0LX6M3MXN/kyran-low-MvkLKGtBcUA-unsplash.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1593271566760-T5SQ3G4JYTPMXU0E3GDF/image-asset.jpeg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1593272199734-56NGV1QBUI9Q238BSJWP/image-asset.jpeg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1593272836446-XL9LF7LJ7NH0TPZJJ3I1/_DSC1736.JPG Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Fun Stuff https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/home daily 1.0 2025-05-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1599157211043-YMUV8NLWORVRFPDT39SO/PAYAL%2525252BDOSHI.jpg Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Website - About Me Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1600179698144-3FXPENUNH5CNMTKM9XT7/Rea-Mockup.png Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author Website - Rea and the Blood of the Nectar Payal Doshi Middle Grade Author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/press daily 0.75 2021-12-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/258ea0ae-d143-4369-9571-df7f339b0f7a/Screenshot+2021-12-02+152040.jpg Press - Dream Big Edina Magazine interviews local author Payal Doshi to talk about her debut novel and her journey to publication. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1623099893645-AG89O2DMM5WGPSYF5ZUO/Capturefgdgdf.JPG Press - Books & Boba Podcast On this episode, we talk to author Payal Doshi about her debut novel Rea and the Blood of the Nectar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1611848252832-O0HC9Y2NUU03BJWILDOJ/IWRITER+PRESS.JPG Press - Book review of REA AND THE BLOOD OF THE NECTAR by Eshaan Mani for iWRITE magazine. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1622593421650-A82YUN14R6FJWJRWTFZG/Colorful+Umbrella+and+Floaters+Summer+Poster.png Press - Star Tribune 33 must-read books for tweens, teens, and adults to add to your summer reading list! https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1622589982681-7E84E1Y5R4COCCVK9GF9/Express+yourself+Announcement+Instagram+Post.png Press - Express Yourself Teen Radio Nihal Gill and Diya Hituvalli cohost an hour of Happiness Sunday. They interview the dynamic new author Payal Doshi for her Middle-Grade novel, Rea and the Blood of the Nectar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1622732208642-P7096JTACZ5B76UBBHNE/Capture.JPG Press - Your Favorite Book Podcast Who better to talk about a middle-grade novel than a middle-grade author? In this nostalgic episode, Payal Doshi and I talk all things ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, everything from Anne's spunky attitude, Merilla's relatable energy, the will they/won't they of Anne and Gilbert, and so much more. We also chat about Payal's upcoming middle-grade novel, which is a wonderful read in its own right. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/6bcc67b2-ee2a-4388-af5c-cce1bf18b340/IMG_20211116_154750.jpg Press - Voice America Radio - Dropping in with Diane Dewey Diane Dewey interview author Payal Doshi about her debut novel, Rea and the Blood of the Nectar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1625698716263-QGHNN4C6BPDP6HBHEZN5/REA+Asian+Star.JPG Press - The Asian Star The Asian Stars writes about Payal Doshi’s debut novel, Rea and the Blood of the Nectar. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1618152207525-ZA1URJA6580H7XPWSQ3H/Blue+and+Pink+Illustrative+Arts+%26+Culture+Podcast+Cover+%281%29.png Press - Podcast: Book Club by Anika Goyal https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1615390033360-DVNNUTJ1O3JZ8OPKG4FO/bookish.jpg Press - Podcast: Society Secrets by Jennifer Naughton https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1624384039029-O4W342W3I86JWDWC08X9/jjggjk.JPG Press - Middle Grade Ninja Podcast Sailaja N. Josh, Amy Maranville, Payal Doshi, and Rob Kent discuss Mango + Marigold Press and their newest release, REA AND THE BLOOD OF THE NECTAR. We talk about the cycle of their book from submission to acquisition, editing and revising, marketing and promotion, all the way to its launch and beyond. We discuss the importance of increasing diversity in publishing, the role of luck in an author’s career, a flying saucer story AND a ghost story, crucial advice for writers, and so much more. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1611848487025-ITRUAGX27B1RHLXYCAFE/CanIndia%2BJan%2B2021%2Bone%2Bpg.jpg Press - CanIndia News interviews Payal Doshi about her debut novel, REA AND THE BLOOD OF THE NECTAR https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/privacy-policy daily 0.75 2020-07-01 https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/videos daily 0.75 2021-09-07 https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/school-visits daily 0.75 2025-10-27 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629147431203-U7WSWCFRYU5LO674O3OV/Writing+For+Children+101+-+slide+11.png School Visits and Curriculum - Writing For Children 101: How to Create Well Rounded Characters (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) Overview of the types of children’s books Components of a good plot idea Interactive exercise: Create a plot idea! Elements of a story How to create well-rounded characters (includes interactive exercise) Questions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1612896898507-OL7R32B0Z5KIPAXJ8SRZ/process.JPG School Visits and Curriculum - Behind the Scenes: The Process From Manuscript to Novel (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) Talk about my writing process Talk about the editorial process with an editor Show the various stages of book production Sneak peek into maps! Show the stages of designing the cover of a book Reading an excerpt Questions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1612897621015-RJQQ6FUYTSOGOVJY7V5D/meet+the+charat.JPG School Visits and Curriculum - Excerpt Reading and Meet the Characters (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) Meet the characters Reading an excerpt Questions Book recommendations https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629149369977-F2BI07N4T9XXZDHRYW3P/Copy+of+Copy+of+Copy+of+Orange+and+Yellow+Mehndi+Wedding+Celebration+Instagram+Post.png School Visits and Curriculum - Compare & Contrast Literature Circle Guide for REA AND THE BLOOD OF THE NECTAR and THE VERDIGRIS PAWN Rea and the Blood of the Nectar and The Verdigris Pawn are stories about friendship, overcoming obstacles, being courageous, and fighting power-hungry rulers. This makes both books perfect for a Compare & Contrast exercise that will have your students riveted! Both novels are a perfect choice for a classroom read-aloud, whole-class/school text, literature club, book club, or summer/holiday reading list. The guide is aligned with Common Core Standards for 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th grades. In these easily printable greyscale pages, you will find three compare and contrast activities, a word wizard, a discussion starter, a passage picker, a map master, and four literature circle questions. Note for Educators: These activities can be done with all students reading both books or students can be divided into literature circles and half of the group can read each book. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1612895370829-6U8BVJBIN1RNQNLONNND/intro.JPG School Visits and Curriculum - How I Came to Write a Novel (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) How I came to be an author My process of coming up with the plot for the novel (includes a fun and creative exercise with the students!) Meet the characters Reading an excerpt A peek into the process from manuscript to book production including stages of cover design Questions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1629147857843-S23I3SQNX2NDE94V3BR7/Writing+For+Children+101+-+slide+2.png School Visits and Curriculum - Writing For Children: How To Create A Great Character (Grades 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) Elements of a story What makes a character a great character Components of a great character Interactive exercise: Let’s create a character together! Character Analysis of Rea Questions https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/e9aa97a2-6148-4e6d-a2d8-fce36a81ef7f/Screenshot+2022-01-28+212132.jpg School Visits and Curriculum - REA AND THE BLOOD OF THE NECTAR: TEACHER’S GUIDE Rea and the Blood of the Nectar is a thrilling and captivating adventure about learning to trust someone, being loyal, understanding the true meaning of friendship as well as navigating complex family and sibling dynamics. From riddles and dreams to magical creatures and heart-thumping quests, readers will be hooked from the first page! The book also offers a glimpse into Indian culture and is a great choice for a classroom read-aloud, school literature circles, book clubs and books groups, a holiday reading list, and for exploring issues surrounding overcoming one’s insecurities, fighting for what’s right, and discovering one’s identity. This guide is aligned with Common Core Standards for 5th grade, but it can be applied for grades 3-8. You will find pre-reading questions, questions for each part of the book, big picture questions, and extension activities that include creative writing, cultural research projects, a recipe, a puzzle, and critical thinking. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1612899234370-TPCTCSZ6YKNHFJ2LDUS8/Capture.jpg School Visits and Curriculum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1612899353715-DRV5PK63VJJI5XMHF98W/IMG_20210203_113910_918.jpg School Visits and Curriculum https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1612899309595-EEJDV8L8SJTIUNLPYBH0/20210203_174655.jpg School Visits and Curriculum https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/services daily 0.75 2024-05-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/a0105351-8a33-432a-b991-553f8c320e13/IMG_20240509_102943.jpg Editorial Services - MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUE: Payal Doshi—Query Letter, Synopsis, First 50 Pages (Middle Grade/YA) Open to: Query Letter, Synopsis Critiques, & Critique of the first 50 pages (YA/MG) Limit: For Synopsis Critiques max 1000 words, For the First 50 pages max 15,000 What You'll Submit: Depends, but either your query, synopsis, or first 50 pages What You'll Receive: Query Letter Critique: (Young Adult/Middle Grade) You’ve finally finished polishing your manuscript and you’re ready to enter the query trenches. The best, most effective tool you have to gain an agent’s attention is your query letter. As a traditionally published author, I can help you structure, edit, and proofread your query letter to best represent you and your work. Synopsis Critique: (Young Adult/Middle Grade) Writing a book synopsis can be tedious, but many agents require one to be sent as part of their submission guidelines. Since queries sent to agents include only a sample of your manuscript, a well-written synopsis can greatly increase your chances of getting an agent. Using my skillset as an author, I will suggest ways to improve the narrative flow, structure, plot, readability, word choice, and grammar of your synopsis. First 50 Pages: (Young Adult/Middle Grade) The opening chapters of a book are what draw a reader in. Most times, the opening chapter or the first 50 pages are requested by agents as part of their submission guidelines. The beginning of your novel must set the stage, effectively introduce the characters, tease the plot, and generate a page-turning interest. In your sample, I will look for pacing, narrative flow, dialogue, plot, and tension. I will also make line edits with respect to grammar and word choice. As a BIPOC author (I’m South Asian), I will review your sample from the lens of authenticity in representation (if it features in your work) and will offer feedback. The critique will include a conversation (up to 1 hour) regarding the work, to be held over the phone or on Zoom/Google Meet. You will also receive a 2-page letter offering my comments and highlighting the strengths in the writing as well as suggestions for revision. Pricing: $120 for query letters; $200 for Synopses; $300 + $0.02/word for First 50 Pages https://www.payaldoshiauthor.com/news daily 0.75 2022-03-17 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5eb16f821d620b6016df4eee/1625698417593-BXJLTZWCOB5B3J9R16ZD/REA+cover+alone+1.jpg News - Make it stand out Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.