Nick Sturley Blog

New second major Deaf novel on the way!

2010-07-10T12:15:00.001+01:00

After the MILAN novel, which was published back in 2003, I swore to myself that I would never write another major novel again.

Never say never, huh?

I'm going to write another one – this time for a new Leicester-based independent publisher s Action Deafness Books. The MILAN novel was self-published by a Canada-based self-publishing firm, Trafford Publishing. I practically wrote, designed and marketed the book myself and that was really a challenging experience.

But it was something that I would never venture into again. Don’t get me wrong, self-publishing isn’t all that bad. In fact, it’s quite good because you can publish your book your way. The revenue from the royalties is even greater than what the traditional publisher can offer, but the downside is that you have to pay for everything first to get your book published such as research and development, cover artwork, book layout (fortunately for me, I’m a semi-pro graphic designer, so I was able to do it myself), proof-reading services, marketing and, most of all, pay a large one-off fee to the self-publishing firm who would handle all the legal, printing, marketing and distribution. Apart from the complimentary and review copies, the printing of the book is not included in the package: it is done by on-demand publishing (you place an order, they print digitally, rather than from a shelf) in addition to the costs. It was a very expensive process for me back then. Fortunately for me, the sales was very good and it recouped all the production costs in about five months after the book’s launch, which was a huge relief.

Having your book published by a publisher, all of the above costs are paid for by them, however, they have to recoup all the production costs from the sales first before the author can even see a penny or receive slightly reduced royalties which can be anything between 5% and 15% from net gross compared to up to 60% from self-published books. Sometimes authors would receive an an advance lump sum payment and not receive any royalties until all the production costs have been paid up. There’s more to it, but will leave it as it is too complicated to explain. Now about my next book.

I have a story right here that’s screaming to be published and read by everyone. It’s called Innocents of Oppression. I spent about ten years – on and off – developing it. It’s too good a story not to be told. Even its protractile but meaningful title stands out like a sticky thorn.

So I contacted Steve Crump of Action Deafness Books, a new independent Leicester-based publishing and distribution firm specialising in Deaf books and BSL DVDs written and developed by Deaf people, to see if he was interested in publishing my next book and gave him the lowdown. He was most interested and there I am: back to the wonderful world of book publishing again.

As briefly described in my Innocents of Oppression webpage, it is a powerful, poignant and controversial coming of age story about two adolescent Deaf best friends in an oral boarding school in the 1970s and beyond.

I’m keeping the plot details under lock and key, however, what I can say is that it is a bold departure from my MILAN novel and also my current TALES FROM SIGNTOWN ebook series for Deaf children. It will certainly turn heads 360 degrees. It’s not something you would expect from your average Deaf book.

Although I have the story in place, it still needs more details in which I will begin doing extensive research from this September to cover many areas, including history in relation to Deaf education. I have set up a dedicated Innocents of Oppression Facebook page for me to post questions to ask for accounts and experiences in the Deaf education as well to be kept updated on the progress towards the book’s launch which will take place in the autumn of 2011 and beyond. I will also send out questionnaires and also conduct face-to-face BSL interviews. The details will certainly make the novel very productive and nostalgic reading.

I’m really looking forward to this new challenge, so do wish me luck!

They loved 'The Game of Life'.

2010-05-23T21:03:00.001+01:00

Just returned from Deaffest at a scorching hot Wolverhampton. Along with the five other Zoom films, The Game of Life was premiered there on Saturday morning.

They loved it.

Phew!

They enjoyed the dark humour nature of the film and the performances of the actors, particularly Daryl Jackson's memorable turn as the devilish poler game dealer. Aside from a few minor technical glitches that some had spotted during the screening (won't mention them here!), the response was very positive. Daryl, himself, said he was quite amazed at seeing his own performance and enjoyed the film very much.

It was nice seeing my film on the big screen, I have to say that. OK, it wasn't that big of a screen as it was the one you would expect in an arthouse cinema, but still I took the pleasure of being aware of the giggling and laughing from the audience, so that was something to take home.

The other Zoom films were also great – in fact, I was quite impressed with them. I absolutely loved Vanishing by Giles Bowman. It's a lovely little piece of Twilight Zone stuff and beautifully filmed too. Do see it when it comes out. Also great was Go Ahead by Ted Evans – very inventive piece about a minicom. Also it was great to meet and chat with other directors involved in this scheme.

You won't be seeing the last of us. Six of us have been offered the chance to exclusively apply for the follow up: Zoom Focus. Twice the budget (£4K as the original Zoom scheme was £2k) and more time to develop and shoot our films. Only snag is that only three will be awarded, so six of us will be on the edge to compete with each other for the coveted three awards. This is a very good step-up the ladder as the ethos of the Zoom scheme is to develop Deaf directing talent to help further careers.

Yeah, of course, I'll be applying for it... if I can come up with a story, that is. Coming up with great stories is always a big challenge, but I'll get my head round it somehow. We have to submit on mid-July, so I've got two months to come up with it.

But that's not all: there'll be another Zoom scheme for the new breed for next year, so check it out at Zoom 2011 for further information. If you want to put your creativity on the big picture, now's your chance. You need to have some directing experience and bear in mind that the budget's only £2,000, so think small, not big. So good luck!

As for Deaffest itself: in spite of the scorching weather and some niggles (The Ben Steiner Bursary slot was rather overlong, in my opinion and the bar could at least serve cheaper, better and colder beer), it was another successful event.

Now putting my smoky feet up and watch Doctor Who in my PVR. Might get an idea for a story for Zoom Focus...

The Game of Life at Deaffest 2010

2010-05-05T15:55:00.001+01:00

My first short film – a proper one – since graduating from the two-year professional film and television course in Gateshead in 1991 will be shown at the Deaffest 2010 on 21st – 23rd May.

'The Game Of Life' is a dark comedy about a Deaf poker night with five friends, however, one of them – the dealer – does not turn up. Instead, a mysterious, well dressed Deaf stranger called Luc, tuns up to take the dealer’s place. The game seemingly starts off as normal, but Luc wins every game with three sixes in his hand and the game descends into a nightmare when the players discover who Luc really is...

It stars David Ellington, Julian Peedle-Callo, Jason Taylor, Matt Kirby and Daryl Jackson along with a cameo from Paul Neal. Written, produced and directed by me and executive produced by Neath Films in association with BSLBT.

Yeah, it's taken me that long to reach that goal You see, I didn't actually not do anything during the wilderness. In fact, I used to work in television and video – you can see my showcase if you don't believe me. Five of the Deaf graduates from the North East Media Training Centre course had set up Europe's – and possibly the world's – first-ever all Deaf production company, Deaf Owl in 1992. Of all the current and the defunct Deaf production companies since then, we were the daddy of the Deaf production companies. Sadly, it didn't last long as it closed down on December 24th 1993 due to the recession at that time and non-existent support from Channel Four that we were promised and we all went on our separate ways. Thanks guys for the lovely early Christmas present.

So, remember these names: Nick Sturley, Joe Collins, Siobhan O'Donovan, Gohar Nisar and Clare McCann (now Canton)) – they were there first!

I bade my time doing other things, including writing books and self educating myself on scriptwriting. And did the video work too. To keep me happy though it has been quite frustrating trying to get one or more of my scripts produced by those who didn't seem to take me quite seriously because of my obvious personal circumstance. I know this may sound rather blunt, but that was how I saw it.

When Neath Film's Zoom Film Scheme came to my attention late last year, I actually – and literally – hopped on my desk chair and applied for it and got it.

Now, the film has been made and it'll be shown at Deaffest as well as in the BSL Zone in the Community Channel later this month. I'm most grateful for BSLBT and Neath Films for giving me – and others – the opportunity to do it. As far as I'm aware, I'm the only Usher director in the whole world of BSLBT and I think I have shown very well for what I could do.

Filmmaking has always been my first passion and it felt like I had come home when I signed "3-2-1... Action!". I do hope that I can make more in the future.

I'll be at Deaffest, by the way, so hope to see you there too.