Author | Producer
OUT NOW! - THE HOOP CON
An Amazon #1 New Release
"Lovers of basketball, especially fellow athletes, will devour this novel." - School Library Journal
"Amar Shah’s debut is as fun as it is powerful, and this tale of resilience and growth–on and off the court–will score big points with middle grade readers." - Laurie Morrison, author of Up for Air and Keeping Pace
"A terrific beginning to a new basketball-focused series. I loved the way this one dug into the all-too-familiar tween emotions of humiliation and how this low point fueled Raam's comeback. Can't wait to see what happens over the course of this series." - Jenn Bishop, author of Free Throws, Friendship, and Other Things We Fouled Up
An exciting new middle grade sports series with a fantastic voice! The action sequences are expertly written so you truly feel like you’re on the court with the characters. And Amar Shah’s love of the game comes bouncing off the page throughout the book." - Ali Terese, author of Free Period
"Sizzling with snappy dialogue and heart-thumping stakes, The Hoop Con is a vibrant and endearing basketball story that centers the mental game Raam must play to bounce back from a humiliating defeat.” —Maya Prasad, author of Sejal Sinha Battles Superstorms
YOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T PLAY
Raam Patel is eager to prove himself ever since he didn’t make the middle school’s basketball team. So, when Hoop Con comes to town he is determined to be there and take his shot. His big moment proves to be unforgettable… but not in the way he’d hoped. Raam gets schooled by the camp’s golden boy right in front of his NBA idol. To make matters even worse, this fail goes viral.
Cover art by: Berat Pekmezci
ABOUT ME
I’m a multiple Emmy-winning writer and producer who has written for ESPN.com, NFL.com, The Wall Street Journal, The Orlando Sentinel, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Slam Magazine, and The Washington Post, including my viral essay on growing up as the son of the real Apu.
My middle-grade contemporary basketball trilogy THE HOOP CON (Play the Game #1) (Scholastic Press) is out March 5, 2024. And my graphic novel memoir WISH I WAS A BALLER (Scholastic/Graphix) debuts in 2025.
I'm repped by
Jas Perry at Looking Glass Literary & Media
Olivia Fanaro for Film/TV at UTA
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NEW BOOK DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT
WRITING
WASHINGTON POST
To many Indian Americans, Apu is offensive. To me, he’s my dad. This essay is based on my viral Twitter thread.
ESPN.COM - MY ADDICTION TO THE "MONSTER"
In an essay ESPN.com’s Page 2, I provide a chuckle or two as I weigh the magnetic appeal of the century-old set vs. the reality of financial limits and a skeptical wife.
ESPN.COM - KEEPERS OF THE HIVE
Indian kids dominate the National Spelling Bee. I find out why they are the New England Patriots of the competition.
ESPN.COM - WICKET WEDDING
An award-winning ESPN.com cover story I wrote about my journey to India for my wedding, where I fall in love - with a new sport, cricket.
NFL.COM - ORAL HISTORY OF VARSITY BLUES
Wrote and produced "Varsity Blues Oral History," a long-form feature where I interviewed the film's cast, crew, and creators about how it all happened.
SATI SHAVES HER HEAD
Wrote and produced "Sati Shaves Her Head" a film starring Hannah Simone (New Girl) and Sonal Shah (Scrubs). Indieflix said it's "funny, raunchy, and delivers satisfying payback."
PRESS/MEDIA
WISH I WAS A BALLER ANNOUNCEMENT
Coverage from Bleedingcool.com regarding my new graphic novel memoir for Scholastic/Graphix I'm writing with Rashad Doucet illustrating.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY ANNOUNCEMENT
DEADLINE HOLLYWOOD - HARVARDWOOD UNVEILS 2021 WRITERS COMPETITION
Harvardwood today announced the winners of its Writers Competition winners and Most Staffable TV List, including my pilot “GAS N’ SHOP” written with Rupak Ginn.
FITZ TALES: BERNICE BOBS HER HAIR
I appeared as a contributor on the Fitz Tales podcast to discuss F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story "Bernice Bobs Her Hair" and my film "Sati Shaves Her Head."
PLAY THE GAME FEATURED IN PW
I was interviewed by Publishers Weekly about the impact of author Tanuja Desai Hidier and her classic YA novel "Born Confused" and talked about my own upcoming Scholastic trilogy.
