SWAN

Gay Neurodiverse Comedies #1

by Damian Jay Clay

Music is oxygen. Love is messy. And growing up is louder than any amp.

Fourteen-almost-fifteen-year-old Signus Lomax is stuck between childhood and everything after. He knows three things for

The band he plays in is the only thing holding him together, though it’s one argument away from falling apart.

His body never shuts up, whether it’s tics that won’t stay hidden or desires he’s not ready to name.

His dad’s chaotic past is louder than any guitar, and it won’t stop echoing.

This summer, everything shifts.
The band teeters on collapse.
The new boy next door might be perfect.
And his best friend, the one he’s shared late-night whispers and a bed with for years, might be slipping away for good.

As friendships fracture and futures close in, Sig is caught in the noise of becoming someone new. And when the music stops, the truth rushes in, raw and unstoppable.

SWAN is a funny, heart-punching coming-of-age novel about identity, first love, friendship, music, and the beautiful mess of growing up neurodiverse and queer.

Perfect for fans of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Trainspotting, and Daisy Jones & The Six: this is a story that will make you laugh, cry, and remember what it feels like to stand on the edge of everything.

Genres: Young Adult

360 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 1, 2026

Reviews

[Elorin Achiad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Signus is 15 and an excellent musician. It's hard not to be with a famous guitar designer for a father. But Sig is also a SWAN - Syndrome Without A Name - dealing with body tics and Tourette's syndrome on the regular. He goes to a special school and has a small set of classmates with similar neurodiversities. The summer Sig turns 16 is a huge one for him filled with life, love, and challenges to overcome.
I am not a big music fan and I have to admit some of the music descriptions went right over my head. But I was captivated by Sig, his circle of friends, and his tight circle of family. Amazing descriptions of trauma and recovery and unconditional love and support from family and found family both.

[Lily Chambers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I almost have no words. Part of this book gave me joy, part of it made me want to cry, part of it was hard to read. I’m glad I read this as a reminder to me that we can be strong and resilient at the same time we are hurting inside. That family, blood or made, can make the difference when we are barely coping; such as mine following my stroke. A reminder that people are not all the same, and so-called disabilities are not necessarily disabling.

[wayne vizcarrondo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Damien Jay Clay that once again emphasize the fact that the support and love of family and friends is so important in anyone’s life, especially those with neurodivergent traits. A great novel that gives the reader so much to think about and how they deal with others in their own life. Very glad I decided to read the book even though it didn’t seem like it would be something that I would enjoyment

[Joseph Giancola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspirational Story

Lovely tale of heros and gods. What we all can aspire to and be. A neurodiverse mind is a terrible thing to waste.