Sinn Fein/Provisional IRA in Monaghan Town, protected many child-rapists within their ranks. One of the most prolific child rapists was Michael Lynagh, who was Jim Lynagh's older brother by 3-years. And yet, you did. Can you speak about being rigorously honest even when it terrifies us as writers? So to answer your question, I think that first and foremost as a writer you need to be honest with yourself before you expect to put your truth out there for others to perceive. Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drug s is a national charity that supports anyone concerned about someone else’ s alcohol or drug use in Scotland. They give information and advice to many people, helping them with confidence, wellbeing and linking them into local support. AM: It took about a year of researching and pitching. But I was a completely unknown author. I queried many places but I found my home with Guts and I would put that down to another thing I consider as being ‘meant to be.’

Book serialisation: Euphoric Recall, by Aidan Martin: Part Book serialisation: Euphoric Recall, by Aidan Martin: Part

I read this book in 24 hours , i was absolutely gripped from the beginning. The author of this book is extremely talented with the way he describes thoughts and feelings relating to different events in his journey, you feel in that moment with him and expirence all the emotions together it is very easy to imagine, there is a mixture of happiness and sadness and proper out loud laughter! Real raw context within. I really look forward to following this journey! And also already jumping with excitement at the thought of another book! Thank you so much Aiden Martin you should be extremely proud!Aidan’s childhood friend, Mark Deans created the cover image for Euphoric Recall. Mark is an artist and musician based in Livingston. Shortly after I moved to Monaghan Town in 1980 when I was 16-years-old and living alone in a bedsit, I was lured to a house by Michael Lynagh, stabbed and raped. As a schoolboy he suffered sexual abuse, extreme trauma and addiction before turning his life around and becoming a top selling author.

Recovering addict tells how he fought off addiction to become Recovering addict tells how he fought off addiction to become

AM: Airy-fairy means even though I believe in a Higher Power I’m not suffering from delusions of grandeur or anything. I’ve not got my head in the clouds or suffer from being a fantasist about it. I hope that makes sense. I just believe something greater is at work, guiding and protecting me.That Aidan’s degradation addiction was moulded by someone who he believed was understanding and supportive of him is testament to how “Groomers” affect individuals. Aidan's honesty and open presentation was good to hear. His bravery in sharing his life was refreshing." Structurally, this book is really well-formed and written, and it’s a brisk read that I found hard to put down (for all my mental health has been a bit all over the place recently). Aidan Martin: I always knew my story was far more than an addiction-to-recovery tale. However, it most definitely was a cathartic experience, as cliché as that sounds. There are so many people suffering with mental health problems, suicide, addiction, all sorts. Many of them don’t know where to go for help. So I also believed this book could reach anyone, suffering any challenge or trauma. There may even be someone out there who doesn’t realize they have a problem with addiction and perhaps they will identify with my story and seek out help. LL: How long have you been clean? And by the way, it’s okay if you don’t want to answer this! I don’t know if it goes against the “one day at a time” mentality, and it might not be something you share publicly.

Euphoric Recall | Guts Publishing

I’m in the process of launching a charity which will aim to support people suffering poverty, social isolation, and low level mental health. AM: As an unknown author I always knew it was going to be a massive challenge to get published or to even get noticed! That being said I had complete faith in the book. I wouldn’t compromise on my belief that it had to be the right match. A partnership. As soon as I saw Guts Publishing, I just knew in my gut (excuse the pun) that they were the one for me. The speaker and activist was also joined by local musician Martin Livingstone, who performed some of his original songs. Martin also shared how his past experience of engaging with West Lothian Youth Action Project encouraged his passion for music, which ultimately helped him to pursue his musical career.The Bound Together project uses books to help raise awareness of the impact of drugs and alcohol on families, and it was amazing to hear from Shirley and Aidan about their journey together. In Euphoric Recall, Aidan says she is the strongest person he knows and last night we got to see that as she shared openly and honestly with us. The audience were all brilliant not just with their questions but how they interacted with each other.” I knew before I even opened the book this would be a hard hitting memoir. I was very apprehensive to read this one but once I read the introduction I knew this would be an essential read. I had goosebumps reading the introduction and from there on in I was immersed into Aidans story from being groomed, addcition, family struggles to being a father and getting his degree he ends the book with a sense of promise. Now the dad-of two, soon to be three in December, has graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a Msc in Social Work and has become a bestselling author.