Cian O’Farrell of Sammamish has always loved to read and write. So much so that the 13-year-old has his first self-published book on display in his middle school library.

“When I was a little guy, I was always interested in books and my favorite place was the book shops and library,” he said.

Roisin O’Farrell, Cian’s mom, said that Cian has high-functioning autism, and this process has meant the world to him.

“I always wanted to write my very own book, but I never got it finished,” Cian said.

During Thanksgiving in 2012, Cian was talking to his grandparents about writing his own book, and they gave him the money he needed to get started. From there, a friend of the family, who is also self-published, showed Cian how to use the website CreateSpace. After going through a couple test copies, and playing around with the colors, design and content, Cian’s book, “The Big Book of Stanley,” was published and uploaded to Amazon last October.

“Everything between the covers is Cian,” Roisin said.

Liam Scanlan, who helped Cian, said that while he helped Cian through the process, Cian wrote every single word himself.

“When you consider how many folks voice their own aspiration to write and publish a book some day, it has been an inspiring and touching experience for all of us family members and friends to see Cian complete this all the way to the Amazon.com bookshelf,” Scanlan said. “It’s proof that this new self-publishing technology is not just about making it easier for established authors, but also about some of the less likely authors among us being recognized as equally valid contributors to the world of literature.”

The book follows a boy, Stanley, who attends Walt Disney Elementary School – a school that teaches you how to write stories and make movies, Cian said. One of the stories is titled “Prince Stanley of Ireeasha” and another “Stanley’s Fantastic Christmas.”

Cian said he went to the library and took parts from all of his favorite books and then created his own story – his favorite part of the whole process. His two favorite books right now? Geronimo Stilton and Captain Underpants.

“He is well known at the Sammamish library,” Roisin said.

Roisin and her husband are both from Ireland, where their families still reside. During the holidays, the O’Farrell’s visited their family in Ireland and brought copies of Cian’s book.

But it didn’t stop there. Cian decided that he wanted to donate proceeds from the book to the Special Olympics of Washington. Cian has played many sports through the organization and wanted to give back, so he donated $100 of his earnings.

Cian, who attends Pine Lake Middle School, said that the book was added to his school’s library and his friends loved it.

“It was pretty exciting when the library did that,” Roisin said.

As far as the future, Cian said he has no doubt that he wants to be a writer. But he’s focusing on the now and plans to continue writing and self-publishing his work.

“This book shows that the dedication and focus of a high functioning autistic child can do what most of us don’t have the staying power to achieve,” Scanlan said.

Kelly Montgomery: 425-391-0363; kmontgomery@issaquahreporter.com