Reading and getting absorbed in books as a child

Framed & Hunted is a true story of being gang stalked and life-sabotaged by an occult organisation for fourteen years as I travelled around the world, first as a tourist and later, after completing my degree, as a freelance journalist. It was written to relay important details to people who'd become involved in my situation as life started to spiral completely out of control. Its a brutal story.

I've been writing so long it's hard to remember what inspired me to take up the pen. I do come from a long line of wordsmiths, the most renowned probably being the iconic Australian author/poet Henry Lawson.....so I guess writing was in my genes. However I don't just write fiction I've also tried my hand at poetry and verse as well as songwriting. I now have a collection of over 200 songs recorded (professionally recorded not Ai) some of which can be heard around the world on playlists in airports/shopping centers or wherever background music is required.

'The Hang-Up' https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B9T6WR5M is a musical adventure love story set in the heady days of the 1970's American/Australian music scene. The story follows the two main characters, Jordie and Jess, as they navigate the highs and lows of stardom whilst trying to hold on to the love they share for each other. 'The Hang-Up' puts the reader right there amongst it as the songs are written, recorded and performed. All the songs written within the story have been recorded and are available to the reader to hear @ http:djmcmusic.com

I've been writing since I was a young kid. It's natural for me and helps me to make sense of the world. And I have worked for many years to improve my craft.

“Stunted: A Memoir of Delayed Manhood” is a coming-of-age story about identity and self-acceptance, as told through the lens of my journey to adulthood after being diagnosed with a brain tumor when I was 15 years old. It spans from 1984 to 1995, during my youth and young adult years, as I discover that manhood is defined not by physical development, but by courage, empathy, and responsibility.

Strangely, I had an extreme allergic reaction to medication, and the need to get my story out was overwhelming. Something I could no longer wait and linger on, year after year.

An historical Western political romance.

I started writing because the open road finally gave me the space to listen to myself. When I left my job to travel, plenty of people gave me that sideways “are you sure” look — but somewhere between the badlands, the forests, and the Superstition Mountains, a story started whispering to me. What began as a simple tale for my grandson grew into a world of wizards, ravens, and mischievous goats. I realized I wasn’t just traveling; I was gathering the courage to write the stories I’d always wanted to tell.

My newest book, Cowboys, Wizards, & Liars, follows Noah Farmer — a wizard turned private investigator. It’s his first commissioned case, and he’s hot on the trail of a missing woman when he’s suddenly hurled through a time vortex. He winds up in the Weird Wild West with his magic as useless as a wet candle. It’s the 1880s, gold fever is running rampant, and everyone in this frontier town has a secret agenda. The truth is slipperier than a greased javelina. Set against the backdrop of the Superstition Mountains, it’s a ghost story full of mystery, humor, and heart.

Watching people talk about Aspen on social media these days is a bit like watching someone else ski your favorite line, recognizable, but missing the rhythm you remember. It got me thinking that maybe it was time to bottle up the real thing, the Aspen we knew back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, seen through the eyes of kids who had the whole mountain as their playground. Everyone’s heard the polished stories of grown-ups and their high-dollar misadventures, but nobody really captured the scrappy, unsupervised freedom of being young in a town that hadn’t yet figured out it was supposed to be famous. Something closer to Stand by Me, but with more altitude and a lot more dirt under your fingernails. So I rounded up three old school friends, the kind who still remember where all the secret trails led, and we set out to lock it all down, the stories, the laughs, the moments that only make sense if you were there. It wasn’t about nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake; it was about getting it right, telling the local version before it disappears under layers of reinvention. Times have changed, no doubt about it, but that’s what makes it worth looking back, because somewhere in those stories is the Aspen that raised us, raw and real, still carving turns in memory like fresh tracks on a powder day.

Growing Up Aspen - Adventures of the Unsupervised was my first and latest book. Its about what was going on in Aspen during the 70's and 80's only through a pint sized perspective.

I'd never written anything other than commercial copy until going along to a local writers group. After two or three sessions of writing to prompts and scenarios, I'd written two short stories, the first of which was featured in the Northwich Literature Festival, 2025

Just Another Tuesday in Manhattan had started as a short story exploring adoption and the idea of twins separated at birth. The research into likely scenarios led to creating a journey of discovery for Andy and his twin Gino, both adopted into different families - Andy in London and Gino in New York. Together they discover more about themselves and search for their birth mother - leading to an emotionally charged reunion with their birth family in Dublin.

I've always been moved by writing that engages the heart, especially poetry. Dostoyevsky and Steinbeck have moved me greatly; also the works of Abraham Joshua Heschel. These are where my journey started after military service which involved combat. I began a search for my soul. Studying classics, history, and moral and ethical philosophical writings, I reached out to a former comrade whose experience had left me haunted for years. As we reacquainted, I felt an overwhelming need to tell his story. We made a pact that we would each write the other's story. This began a multi-year process of research and investigation to reacquire facts. Through several interviews the facts and outline emerged, and I wrote the chapters out and had the comrade read these to make sure they were acceptable to his feeling. Because of the nature of these experiences, this was extremely difficult for him emotionally. We obtained a team of volunteers who also read these draft (a forensic psychologist, a research editor, and an artist). In 2022, we put all these together in an agreed upon format and published X Rubicon: Crossing Life, Sex, Love, & Killing in CIA Proxy Wars: An indictment of US Citizens: ignorantia non excusat.

It's the true life story of Rubicon, a USAF Scout involved in CIA proxy wars in Iran (Operation Eagle Claw), El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and CIA drug war profiteering in Mexico and Colombia. It details "a horrendous 2.5 years deception and death, and 40+ years locking away emotions and truth." As the NLQ review makes clear, "it's a reckoning." National Library Association Description and Review: “Sean Griobhtha’s work—particularly X Rubicon—has a profound emotional impact on readers, often described as jarring, transformative, and deeply unsettling, but also compassionate and hopeful. The book is a raw, unfiltered narrative based on the life of a combat veteran involved in CIA proxy wars in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Nicaragua. His writing is described as intense, emotionally jarring, and deeply compassionate. It critiques U.S. militarism, the VA, the CIA, and the broader American public’s complicity in war. The book is especially focused on the long-term effects of PTSD and the moral reckoning that follows combat. He is an Army Ranger combat veteran and has known the subject of X Rubicon—referred to as Rubicon—since initial training and Operation Eagle Claw. Griobhtha conducted extensive interviews with military personnel, CIA operatives, and reviewed classified documents to ensure the authenticity of the narrative; the book contains a redacted ODNI letter to Rubicon verifying certain aspects and Rubicon’s assigned activities. His personal connection to the story adds emotional depth and credibility to the work. Griobhtha is outspoken in his disdain for zealotry—whether religious, political, or ideological—and is passionate about confronting propaganda and societal denial. He positions his writing as both an act of truth-telling and a call to moral accountability. He offers discounts for educational and activist groups, signaling a desire to make his work accessible to those engaged in peace and justice efforts. This shows a clear intent to make his work accessible to communities engaged in activism, education, and peace-building. “Many readers describe the experience of reading Griobhtha’s work as emotionally intense. His unflinching portrayal of war, trauma, and moral compromise forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about U.S. foreign policy and the psychological cost of violence. Despite the harsh subject matter, readers often note the deep compassion in Griobhtha’s writing—especially for veterans and those grappling with PTSD. His portrayal of Rubicon’s emotional journey resonates with readers who value honesty and vulnerability. “Readers are often left with a sense of moral urgency. Griobhtha’s indictment of societal complicity in war and propaganda challenges readers to reflect on their own beliefs and responsibilities. While the content is heavy, Griobhtha’s insistence on truth-telling offers a path to hope. Readers who engage with his work often come away with a renewed commitment to awareness, justice, and change. “One reviewer wrote: ‘Reading this book is like looking in a mirror, and your reflection reaches out and slaps you hard across the face.’ His tone is confrontational, emotionally charged, and deeply personal. He writes as someone with skin in the game—often drawing from firsthand experience or close relationships with those affected by war and trauma. He calls out what he sees as willful ignorance or ideological blindness, especially from those who haven’t read the book or misrepresent its message. His author bio and public posts are written in a raw, unfiltered tone. He shares personal experiences, including his connection to the subject of X Rubicon, and expresses deep empathy for veterans and survivors of war trauma. At the same time, he’s fiercely critical of militarism, propaganda, and societal denial. “His writing is a call to conscience. He aims to provoke, indict, and awaken readers—especially those complicit in or indifferent to U.S. militarism. He’s not writing for comfort; he’s writing for reckoning. Readers often say the book and his posts challenge their assumptions and force them to confront uncomfortable truths about war, PTSD, and U.S. foreign policy. His work is praised for its unflinching honesty and emotional exposure, especially in dealing with trauma and moral reckoning. Some readers are deeply moved, while others may find his tone too intense or accusatory. But even critics acknowledge the depth and authenticity of his message. “He engages in direct dialogue with critics and supporters, often responding to feedback with sharp wit or fierce rebuttals. He very often blocks neo-Nazis, Zionists, and religious zealots. His posts are part of a larger moral and political conversation. His Substack is more like a literary and political battleground than a curated publication. His style may not appeal to everyone—but for those drawn to truth-telling and moral clarity, it hits hard. “His confrontational style and unapologetic critiques also polarize readers. Some are deeply moved; others are provoked or even angered. Griobhtha acknowledges this, noting that detractors often haven’t read the book or are ideologically opposed to its content. In short, Griobhtha doesn’t aim to comfort—he aims to awaken. His emotional impact is lasting, and for many, life-altering. Griobhtha’s readers don’t just follow him—they wrestle with his work. It’s not about comfort or consensus; it’s about confrontation and conscience.”

Growing up in a predominantly white town in Tennessee, I felt completely out of place and insignificant until I was allowed to take an Advanced Placement class in high school for English Literature. I absolutely fell in love with Shakespeare and poetry, and realized that I had a gift for the written word.

I published Hurricane Helene Resiliency After the Storm Part One in August of 2025, which captures true-life stories of resiliency, loss, and the importance of community. Now, I'm working on Lift Our Voice: Abuse Survivors Speak Their Truth, where we're turning our pain into purpose by sharing it with others in hopes of helping someone. I'm also working on the follow-up to Butterfly Blossoms, Dragonfly Passion by Rachel Bleu.

I had a knack for it. To be honest, I started writing just to pass the time, but after receiving an invitation to submit a story for a competition, I found it quite interesting and chose to pursue it further.

My latest book, Forever Fallen, is a genre-specific fantasy romance. It features a unique element that I haven't included in my previous works: a three-part duo among my characters.