And it all started...

    Hi, I'm Elliot, and I'm glad to know that if you're reading this now, it's because there's at least the slightest or great (hopefully) interest in reading my book #MILLENNIALS IN NEW YORK. I'll tell you briefly how this story was born, how it was developed, and how it ends up being published. As a member of generation X, I also had the age and perhaps the experiences of many millennials (and centenials who are starting to live their own story), to live and experience the issues of our youth, passing through the passage of adulthood and ending with the maturity of the present. If I remember correctly (I hope), this started about ten years ago, as a movie script, which tells the story at that time in the CDMX. Lacking experience and contacts, I had the idea a couple of years later to turn it into a novel, but this time adapted in the Anglo-Saxon world, and in this case in New York City. Since I live on the border, I have grown up influenced by both Mexican and American cultures. Although we must accept that one is always more influenced by the neighboring country, because of the commercial traditions of that country. So, my idea was to enter literary contests, send it to publishers, and during the process I made changes and polished the story and the characters. Unfortunately, I continued with the same answer, the lack of interest by publishers to publish it, and obviously the lack of contacts and guidance from an editor or representative. Certainly, the literary market has declined sharply from some time ago, and added to this, the lack of culture to read, as well as the interest to follow more foreign and commercial currents, which is very valid and respectable. Although they also began to see new publishing methods such as private presses or self-publishing as in Amazon and other sites, I decided to keep my story for a while. Fortunately, I think the literary market and interest in reading has improved again, at least a little.

     Due to destiny and personal issues, I found myself in the emotional and creative need to resume this project, since in November 2024 I was diagnosed with skin cancer, type Nodular Basal Cell Carcinoma pigmented, which at the beginning I was informed that it was a rare type of cancer, but apparently, there wasn’t much risk of being dangerous; my doctors gave me much hope, since this type of cancer is attacked in the first instance by surgery, the tumor is removed and that's it. So, I had high hopes. Unfortunately, my naivety and my lack of symptoms (since it is a silent cancer), made me carry it for almost eight years before I was diagnosed. My pathology tests after my second surgery, I tested positive again, which meant that the cancer had spread. By June 2025, I have been diagnosed with melanoma cancer on my left foot, a much more dangerous and aggressive skin cancer than carcinoma, as it can quickly spread to the lymph nodes or blood system, causing metastasis to other organs such as lungs, liver, etc., including the bones. Now I am waiting for two surgeries that have been postponed for reasons beyond my control. I don’t want to continue with this story about my health, since the priority in talking to you about my book, but I had to make this parenthesis; so for the moment I continue with more scheduled surgeries, and what seems to be an uncertain process in matters of my health, since sometimes the symptoms that since then if they appeared, do not let me lead a "normal" life like any of you. Pain, dizziness, nausea, skin reactions, etc. Faced with the need to find a reason for my present that would stimulate me to continue, it is here where my projects make me enthusiastic again, to at least give them continuity and carry them out no matter what. It fills me with illusion to achieve it, even if it means using most of my time to work on it. As well as my children (my three beautiful cats, Koko, Candy and Mizzy), who also give me the strength to get up and take care of them, and receive their affection and love.

     That's why I decided to self-publish on Amazon, because it is the most viable alternative to my possibilities. Certainly, my work is not only limited to writing, but also to editing, layout, design, watching tutorials, programs, etc. Thanks to Artificial Intelligence (AI), and here I want to make it very clear, that all the text, the story, the idea, was 100% mine. I used AI mostly to create the cover design and images; as well as the translation and corrections in the English language for the English market; and probably music, to create songs with my lyrics, for the book itself, as my idea is to add a plus to the traditional publishing world. I respect and value the work of illustrators and musicians, qualities which I lack, just a series of many ideas that wander around in my creative head. While I am not in favor of using the IA as author or creator of a work almost total for a few instructions, if I am in favor that the IA, should be only a complement to add, contribute or polish a work that for reasons of skill or resources, cannot be carried out by a single person, in this case, as those who work alone, in the absence of the same. As I mentioned before, this story is a work of years, not the result of an AI work for a couple of hours or days. I admit that thanks to the AI, this may help me to give a more attractive vision to the work, only in illustrative and auditory matters. As for the literary part, I repeat, it is 100% of my authorship.

     What I can't do much about is advertising, since to the little I know, paying for a promotional and/or marketing campaign, no matter how small, requires investment, which is far from my possibilities at the moment. I live up to date with my medical, personal and family expenses. So, for that reason I thought of writing this small PDF book, prior to the book, as a promotional to tell you about my book #MILLENNIALS IN NEW YORK; and to be able to distribute it for free, through your own voluntary download. It is said that there is no better publicity than the one that is made by voice recommendation, so I invite you that if you like this promo book, where I make a preview of the main characters and some others of the same, as some other content, I reiterate the invitation to purchase my book, but also to share the promo, so that perhaps I can reach more readers who like the story of my book.

     Although #MILLENNIALS IN NEW YORK isn’t a novel with great literary merit or a candidate for a Nobel Prize in literature (sarcasm), it is an enjoyable work, a very sarcastic comedy, silly and very entertaining. In addition, it deals with interesting themes (perhaps very cliché), such as love, friendship, interpersonal relationships, sex and dreams; themes that apparently will never go out of fashion for generations, since they only change.

     I want to thank you again for your valuable time and attention. For my part, and as long as my health, life and God allow me, I will continue writing more stories, some already finished and ready to be published, and many others in development.

       Blessings.

           With affection... Elliot J. Brahms.