NYC teen publishes sci-fi novel - New York News | NYC Breaking News

NYC teen publishes sci-fi novel

Alvaro Blanco, 17, is a graduating senior at the High School of Economics and Finance in Manhattan, but he's definitely not your typical student.

"I saw this sort of tiny box and I saw it had my name on it so I took it upstairs with me," he said.

In that tiny box were 35 copies of the book Blanco wrote and had published.

"First I was a bit shocked and surprised and then I started smiling and being happy," he said.

"I said well maybe just this hobby, and one day he says mom I want to publish my book. I said oh, don't say that, that's not going to happen," his mother said.

It did happen. "Memoirs of a Revolutionare: Days of War" is a 144 page sci-fi novel that started as a simple 10-page short story. It's set 300 years in the future on another planet.

"It's about this guy named Juan who joins the military and at the same time a few months after he joins the military the planet he's from is invaded by aliens," Blanco said.

Blanco found a self-publishing company, and with the help of his mom, saved $800 to get the book printed.

"And I said well you have some savings and you can just borrow some of the money from me," his mother said. "Now after two weeks we finished paying he got his first copy I was surprised I just kissed him I was so happy."

What's even more unique about Banco is that he was born in Colombia and just learned English 5 years ago.

"Once I came here the first priority was to learn English as fast as possible," he said. "It took me about eight months to 10 months… A lot of people were amazed at how I got it that quick."

Blanco's mom is proud of what he has accomplished so far.

"I already sold over 40 copies in my job," she said. "The book is so good! He's only 17!"

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