Young Derry author’s debut novel sounds warning about THC dangers

A young Derry author will launch his debut novel this weekend.

Nineteen-year-old Conghaile McLaughlin, who is currently studying Screen Production at UU Belfast, is releasing his book: ‘The Joys of Humanity’ on Saturday, November 16.

The book follows the adventures of a party-loving young woman, Joy Monroe, who is steering closer and closer to a crash.

And McLaughlin, who studied English at St Joseph’s College in Creggan, says he has drawn on his own life experiences to create the narrative.

“My novel is a fictionalised version of my own life, and how it could’ve dwindled into utter chaos,” he explains.

“It's a creative, aware, uplifting, yet dire story about the brutality of addiction and its impact on mental health. I wrote this tale drawing on my experiences in my mid-teens. At the start, it’s all fun for me… but that is then overtaken by the arrival of the illness that is ‘de-realisation’.

“In my case, it began when I started smoking a close acquantince’s THC pen and developed an anxiety-related, mental health disorder known as depersonalisation / derealisation. It’s an illness which makes you feel unreal; as if you’re outside looking in. It is horrific and it is important that people of my generation become aware of it.

“My main goal in publishing the book is to spread awareness of the illness that almost took my life and to show how it affects so many young folks without them even realising.”

Outside of his studies, McLaughlin works as a mentor in St. Joseph’s Boys’ School and St. Mary’s Youth Club.

He describes himself as “a man of inclusiveness and positivity”.

“I am a forward-looking and optimistic person, and that is very evident from the characters in my book. I relish in good times and in seeing people thrive.”

McLaughlin has previously collaborated on a number of other books, including the local history book Creggan: The Next Chapter (Guildhall Press, 2022). He also worked on a film about bonfires in Derry.

The Joys of Humanity will be launched at St Mary’s Youth Club, Creggan, on November 16.

Proceedings get underway at 5pm.

The author will be signing copies of the book, which costs £7 and which will be available from local bookstores after the launch. It is also available from Amazon.