Crafting Joyful Worlds: AAPI Local Author Spotlight on Payal Doshi

Title: Crafting Joyful Worlds: AAPI Local Author Spotlight on Payal Doshi

By Read With Me MN

5/28/2025

In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, we’re thrilled to spotlight Payal Doshi, a local author whose voice is helping reshape the world of children's literature. You may remember Payal as one of the featured guest speakers at our very first virtual Read Across America Week fundraiser — where she shared her passion for writing, culture, and imagination.

Payal is the author of the middle grade fantasy novel Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, a story close to her heart. “I grew up in Mumbai, and I loved reading,” she said. “I didn’t ever see myself in any of the books... I personally love reading fantasy... there was never an Indian kid doing any of those things.”

That absence inspired her to create a world where kids like her could see themselves in magical adventures. In Rea and the Blood of the Nectar, readers follow 12-year-old Rea as she portals into the mystical land of Astranthia to find her missing twin brother.

Payal also contributed a short story to the young adult anthology My Big Fat Desi Wedding. She described it as “a fun anthology that features eight South Asian authors... If you know any South Asians, you know we have big weddings full of lots of food. And there’s always drama... and meddling aunties, as always!”

Beyond the fantasy and fun, Payal is passionate about bringing joyful representation to underrepresented communities. “I do sometimes feel with underrepresented communities… publishers tend to focus on stories that carry a lot more weight… But I also want to focus on joyful, empowering stories… where you get to see kids from different cultures.. revel in their beautiful cultures.”

Currently, Payal is working on a chapter book series with Scholastic — and we can’t wait to see what she dreams up next. 

You can learn more about Payal Doshi at payaldoshiauthor.com or follow her on social media @payaldoshiauthor.