We are delighted to celebrate a wonderful achievement within our Aspire community: Clare Martin, one of our mentees, has published her very first novel and designed the cover herself.
Clare’s book, The Gods of Love, follows Ciara, a young Irish woman with a head full of dreams for her future. When her parents take her on holiday to the island of Crete, Ciara finds herself swept into a world of adventure and myth. Along the way, she meets people she never expected to meet, sees things she never imagined, and is drawn into experiences that test her in unexpected ways. As she navigates unlikely friendships and personal challenges against the backdrop of the sun-soaked island, Ciara is ultimately confronted with the biggest journey of all: coming to terms with who she is, and finding the strength to shape her own path in life.
It’s a coming of age story about stepping out of the familiar and discovering, often in the most unexpected places, exactly what you’re capable of, a theme that will resonate with anyone who has stood at the edge of a new chapter and wondered which way to go.
Publishing a first novel is a significant undertaking at the best of times. Seeing it through from first draft to finished book and designing the cover on top of that is a real achievement, and one we’re proud to shine a light on.
How you can support Clare
If you’d like to celebrate this milestone with us, the best way is simple: pick up a copy of The Gods of Love and share it with anyone who might enjoy Ciara’s story. Every purchase makes a real difference to an independent author building her readership from the ground up.
- Paperback: Buy on Amazon
- Digital edition (UK): Buy on Amazon.co.uk
- Follow Clare: Author Facebook page
Congratulations, Clare, we can’t wait to see what you write next!
WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme
Clare’s mentoring is part of Aspire’s involvement in the WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment Programme, a national employment support scheme funded by the Department of Social Protection and co-financed by the European Union. Through the programme, Aspire works alongside autistic individuals to build confidence, find work that fits their strengths and navigate the world of employment. Aspire is one of the approved WorkAbility providers, helping autistic adults move toward the kind of independence and self-directed achievement that Clare’s own publishing journey reflects
