“At some of the lowest points in my life, books have been my light in the darkness.”

For the first four years of his life Tony’s speech was delayed and he communicated in his own language.

Concerned by this, his mother sat him down every day during the summer (or as often as a Mum with six other kids could) and taught him how to speak properly by reading to him. This gave Tony his lifelong passion for reading.

After finishing an English degree in University of Galway Tony followed his passion for sport and human performance but his love for reading and writing was never far from his mind.

When he was finishing his Hurling career he joined forces with talented writer TJ Flynn to work on an sports autobiography with a difference. Based on four years of his own diaries the intention was to write the most honest sports memoir they could. This they did and Screaming at the Sky was released to international acclaim. Published by Random House it became a cult classic due to its searing honesty about the inner world of a high performing athlete. With a foreword by Lance Armstrong and beautiful writing this book broke the mould and exposed the limitations of confining male stereotypes. Screaming at the Sky will be re-published with an additional chapter in 2024.

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Tony’s next book The Teenager’s Book of Life was inspired by his decade long experience working with thousands of teenagers in schools and communities in different countries around the world. For two reasons he self-published this book. Firstly he wanted to understand the publishing industry in depth and secondly he didn’t think any traditional publisher would take it on as the possibility of the book being banned was high. This was because Tony knew what teenagers really needed to hear and he wanted it to be true to youth needs and not adult sensibilities.

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“I wanted to write a book that I knew from listening to thousands teenagers was what they really needed to hear. I wanted it to be like an honest conversation with an older brother or sister or relatable aunt or uncle that told teenagers what life is really like and how they can stay true to themselves in a world that just wants them to be all the same. The feedback I get from teenagers is that it is the most honest book of its kind they have ever come across. That is good enough for me”

In 2023 Tony moved from non-fiction to fiction and started working on his first novel. It is called RED and is in the Young Adult Fiction genre.

“I never really saw myself as a writer. I just felt like I wanted to express everything inside myself. Sometimes I find it easier to do that when I write than through speaking. I never intended to write fiction but the story of RED came to me one day while on a lonely cycle in a rainstorm and by the time I got back to the car it was mapped out in my head. Writing it has been a humbling experience as I have learned that fiction is a different beast altogether and you must learn the craft.”

BOOKS BY TONY GRIFFIN

Reviews of The Teenager’s Book of Life…

  • Danai Agathou, Age 16, Greece

    “It speaks to my soul”

  • Jack Goodman, Age 19

    “This book is amazing. Things that need to be said and heard are now down on paper so it will do great favours for anyone who reads it. Overall I think this books makes me feel seen and heard and understood because I can relate back to it myself and it felt like it was written just for me at some points. I could relate so much and I’m sure everyone else could too if they read it. It’s a ood wake up call that can put things in perspective for you very gently but tells you to get a grip! It felt very honest and geuine. I didn’t feel like it was trying to teach us and change our ways. That is the one thing teeangers have too much of.

  • C. Houton

    “One day my Mam came back fro Dunnes and handed me you book and I thought it would be the same sh*t they tell you in school. I love it so much, I didn’t think anyone could write anything I could relate to so much! I’ve laughed and cried (sometimes at the same time) and wish everyone in the world had a chance to read it.”

  • Dr. Sidra Stone, PH.D, Pioneering Psychologist

    “It is an impactful combination of deep spiritual / psychological truths with straightforward, down to earth language. It inspires; it heals. It’s a real gift to teenagers - and to the teenager within each of us.”

  • Finola Shaw, Parent of teenage boys

    I wanted to let you know your book has helped me have very positive conversations with my boys about emotions and the challenges of growing up.

  • Jenny, Parent to a teenager daughter aged 14

    I bought this book for my daughter who is 14 and I have to say it is the best purchase I have made! I suggested to her when we got it that we read a chapter a night together which I was shocked she agreed to!

  • Diarmuid Lyng, Kerry

    Tony Griffin has spent ten years going to schools all over the world to work with groups of teenagers with the single aim of opening their hearts and minds to their own potential. This is a gift.

  • C.J, Aged 15

    I enjoyed reading the book because Tony has more of an insight into the average teenager's life than most adults.

  • Dr. Angela Griffin, Lead Clinical Psychologist, University Hospital Southampton Children's Hospital

    I want to highly recommend this book to teens, parents, teachers, therapists and everyone with a passion for ensuring our younger generation develop good mental health and their potential to live a full and rich life.