Deaf/ Sign Language discussion

Hi - ARCs of my new crime-thriller Silent Fear (A novel inspired by true crimes) are available now until the book’s launch October 31 courtesy of Sterling Gate Books.

Silent Fear is a multi-genre crime, thriller, mystery, horror (with shades of sci-fi). Set in present-day London, the story was inspired by the murders of several deaf students at Gallaudet University, one of the world’s most prestigious learning institutions for the deaf, in Washington, D.C., between 1980 and the early 2000’s.

In brief:
Detective Valerie Crowther is assigned to investigate the murder of a student at a university for the deaf in London. The murder investigation coincides with a deadly flu virus outbreak, resulting in the university being quarantined from the outside world. When more deaf students are murdered, it’s clearly the work of a serial killer. The stakes rise when Valerie becomes the killer’s next target and the deadly virus claims more lives.

Silent Fear is the eighth novel I’ve co-written with my son James Morcan. Our seven co-authored novels to date include Into the Americas, The Ninth Orphan and White Spirit. We are also screenwriters and filmmakers and have put SILENT FEAR into early development as a feature film through our production company Morcan Motion Pictures.

Here’s the film trailer:
Goodreads video: https://www.goodreads.com/videos/1245...
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8bv1...

The paperback won't be published until closer to our October 31 launch date unfortunately so the only ARC copy available is a PDF, which we are emailing to interested parties.

If you're a keen reader, book reviewer or blogger then post request (with your email address) via Goodreads if you wish to receive a free PDF – or else email sterlinggatebooks@gmail.com

Many thanks!
Lance

As a Deaf person and a graduate of Gallaudet University myself, I'm curious how much involvement you had from the Deaf Community and Gallaudet itself in the writing of this book.

I'm aware of three murders which took place at Gallaudet. The first occurred back in 1980 shortly after students arrived on campus for the new school year. Basically it was a spat that turned deadly. Then twenty years later two students were killed by the same individual - a fellow Deaf student who is now serving consecutive life sentences without parole for the murders.

I am curious if you are using DEAF actors/actresses in your movie to portray Deaf characters. The Deaf Community has been very vocal about this - there is a need to support Deaf Talent and stop using hearing people to portray Deaf roles. Hearing individuals cannot lend justice to such characters, as most do not have the signing skills or the cultural mannerisms needed to accurately portray such roles.

Thank you.

Virginia wrote: "As a Deaf person and a graduate of Gallaudet University myself, I'm curious how much involvement you had from the Deaf Community and Gallaudet itself in the writing of this book.

I'm aware of thr..."

Silent Fear was written with the assistance of Brent Macpherson, one of the world’s leading Deaf storytellers working in film, television and other creative mediums, who educated us on the unique challenges facing the Deaf community and corrected potentially embarrassing errors in our portrayal of Deaf and Hard of Hearing people. (Brent’s commentary on Silent Fear from a Deaf reader’s viewpoint is included at the end of this book).

Deaf beta readers assisted in the proofing of our manuscript to ensure accuracy in our portrayal of Deaf characters and issues facing the Deaf community.

We had zero involvement from Gallaudet as the tragic events there only served to inspire our story, which we chose to set in London, England, and not in the US.

And yes we most certainly will be using Deaf actors to portray Deaf characters in the planned movie. Brent's on board the production as Co-producer and Deaf Consultant, and will be championing Deaf actors.