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.

Interview: Aidan Martin, Author of Euphoric Recall Interview: Aidan Martin, Author of Euphoric Recall

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. LL: Thank you! Next, can you tell us about your publishing journey? How did you wind up at Guts Publishing? AM: First, your questions have been completely fine! Second, I am very open and in a place in my life where I am mentally well enough and confident enough to shut down a conversation if I feel someone is crossing the line. That rarely happens though because I am happy to discuss pretty much anything. If a situation occurs where someone goes too far, I will let them know in a polite way. If they ignorantly kept on, I would be blunt, ha! 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 can say now, that my being raped by Michael Lynagh, was known to An Garda Siochana, however, no action could be taken, or I would have been murdered as was fellow school child Columba McVeigh, because that is what JB O'Hagan said would happen if I told anyone about being raped. 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. To this day there isn’t a lot of support in the community for addicts which is something I want to use my degrees to change.

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

Euphoric Recall" is truly one of the most frank, inspiring, harrowing (at points), insightful, truthful and brave books I have ever had the privilege of reading. Aidan lays bare his soul unashamedly to allow us, the reader into some of the most personal, dangerous and intimate moments that have not only shaped his own character and the lessons he learned personally but has also connected with his readers on a deep level which has provided the opportunity for Euphoric Recall to reach and relate to many, many people, a feat in which I find very few can achieve. In my own case there were many instances of which very profound. It is a good working class area with hard working people, but poverty and social deprivation play a big part.Typing these words now, as my children run around playing, is the first time I have ever put these experiences into words. The truth is it ruptures my soul to revisit what my little brother had to go through.”

IRA Monaghan Town - Blogger Sinn Fein Provisional IRA Monaghan Town - Blogger

I’m in the process of launching a charity which will aim to support people suffering poverty, social isolation, and low level mental health. Both Aidan and Martin's sets were extremely well received by all who attended, including local residents, organisations and charities and sparked lots of conversations about local communities, people and stories. LL: Many of our readers are writers themselves and are curious about writers’ publishing journeys. How long did it take you to find a publisher? Were they the first place you queried? AM: Yes! I am already four chapters into a Scottish mystery novel set in the early 2000’s. It is based around the dying trance scene. It looks at a very specific time for lads in Scotland who had nothing else to live for but drugs and music. It is based in West Lothian (the county I grew up in) and is character driven. I realized there is no need to create characters out of thin air when I grew up with so many vibrant, edgy people. 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. About the Author: Aidan Martin is a fiancé to his beautiful partner and a proud father of two beautiful children. He works as a mental health and addictions worker in Scotland as well as studying social work at the master’s degree level. In 2017 he gained an honours degree in social sciences: with criminology and sociology. As a grateful recovering addict, Aidan is heavily involved in the recovery scene. Aidan was born and raised in a housing scheme in Ladywell, within the town of Livingston. James 'Lou' Ginley, caught with Aidan McGurk while sleeping on a Command wire to a landmine in 1981. On 27 November, 2022, James Lou Ginley was arrested by An Garda Siochana for subjecting his wife Rosemary to a brutal and sustained assault. They wanted ‘ballsy books about life’ and I told them from the beginning how ballsy my memoir was. But it was more than that—my editor, Julianne Ingles, was honest and thoughtful from the very beginning. The discussions felt personal and real. She told me what she expected from me and I told her my vision. It felt like a match. I was elated when I signed my contract with them. LL: In another section you wrote, “There is nothing wrong with a fun fetish between consenting adults.” One thing I think you do very nicely is to draw a line between healthy sexuality that some people might find atypical, and unhealthy sexuality that causes harm to participants. You also wrote about sex addiction versus degradation addiction, which is a very nuanced and important conversation. Do you have any ideas about educating people about the difference?

Book from BT The Phone Book from BT

LL: I’d like to ask you about writing through fear or discomfort. At one point, in writing about Derek, you wrote, Lara Lillibridge: Sharing personal stories is an essential part of many people’s recovery processes. Why did you feel it was important to write down your story and share it with the world, in addition to speaking at meetings? Was the written form important to you? And yet, you did. Can you speak about being rigorously honest even when it terrifies us as writers?Aidan's honesty and open presentation was good to hear. His bravery in sharing his life was refreshing." He says he applauds the Scottish Government for ‘holding their hands up’ and admitting drastic measures are needed to help lower drug deaths. Many of us write with a certain reader in mind. Were you writing for the reluctant addict? Society as a whole? Aidan McGurk (Dungannon) Caught while sleeping on command wire to Landmine. Aidan's son Gary McGurk who was born in Monaghan Town and attended St Louis Convent school, would as an adult be sentenced to 29 years in prison in America for the Murder of a young female student. Aiden's compelling journey from addiction into recovery, activism and the creative industries, with his book 'Euphoric Recall' detailing his lived experience.