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Jackdaw Affliction

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Pub Date 3 Mar 2026 | Archive Date 6 May 2026


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Description

Billy Cooper's life is a tapestry of loss and a descent into a labyrinth of the mind. Diagnosed with a relentless degenerative disease, he slowly loses control—of his body, his career, and his grasp on reality. As memories blur and new faces emerge from the shadows of his consciousness, Billy's desperate quest for truth forces him to confront the most painful fictions. Jackdaw Affliction is a powerful, mind-bending journey into the heart of a man grappling with illness, profound grief, and the bewildering landscape of his own fractured psyche.

Billy Cooper's life is a tapestry of loss and a descent into a labyrinth of the mind. Diagnosed with a relentless degenerative disease, he slowly loses control—of his body, his career, and his grasp...


A Note From the Publisher

SG (Sam Gavin) Hyde, an Exeter-based author, is a passionate advocate for disability services and trustee at Disability Together. Living with Cerebellar Ataxia, he champions resilience in others. After a 20-year business career ended unexpectedly, he dedicates himself to personal growth through exercise, mindfulness, and seizing new opportunities. His passions include live theatre, music, nature conservation, and rugby. At home, he shares his journey with house bunnies and his wife. Discover more or sign up for his newsletter at www.SGHYDE.com.

SG (Sam Gavin) Hyde, an Exeter-based author, is a passionate advocate for disability services and trustee at Disability Together. Living with Cerebellar Ataxia, he champions resilience in others...


Advance Praise

"Jackdaw Affliction is a literary novel with the sweep of a family saga and the bruised intimacy of psychological drama. It follows Billy from a rough-edged childhood in 1980s England through grief, family damage, love, illness, and the slow tightening grip of ataxia, while also circling the lives of Becks, Susan, and Will in ways that make the family feel less like a cast and more like a weather system that keeps changing around him. What stayed with me most is how the book moves from youthful freedom, bikes, music, and sibling closeness into something darker and more fragile, until survival itself becomes the central struggle." - Literary Titan

"This is an emotionally charged and relatable story, where the protagonist is painfully real. Billy’s pain was beautifully explained, and S.G. Hyde made sure the reader felt every incident. Living with chronic illness and the psychological effects of it can be incredibly difficult, and the author allowed the reader to experience it all. The narrative style was perfect for the story; the fragmented structure emphasized Billy’s memory problems and gave a personal look inside his mind. [...] Divided into five parts, Jackdaw Affliction has dark humor and explores themes of survival, loss, second chances, and learning to live once again. Many people will find the courage to live their lives to the fullest after reading it, regardless of the hardships they may be facing." - Reader's Favorite

"Jackdaw Affliction is a literary novel with the sweep of a family saga and the bruised intimacy of psychological drama. It follows Billy from a rough-edged childhood in 1980s England through grief...


Marketing Plan

Press Release/One-Sheet

Goodreads book page

Social media outreach

Atmosphere Press newsletter feature

Live virtual events

Customized book announcement email

Kirkus/Publishers Weekly reviews

Editorial reviews

Amazon advertising

Award submissions

Strategy calls with publicist

NetGalley campaign

Press Release/One-Sheet

Goodreads book page

Social media outreach

Atmosphere Press newsletter feature

Live virtual events

Customized book announcement email

Kirkus/Publishers Weekly reviews

Editorial reviews

...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9798901740248
PRICE $17.99 (USD)
PAGES 286

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