Better Know An Author – David E Gates

Our weekly spotlight series on authors from around the world. This week we sat down with David E Gates!

Please give a brief introduction, including your name and where you are based

My name is David E. Gates and I’m from Portsmouth, in the UK. I’ve published several books and short stories. A mixture of biographical memoir in respect of some events I went through a few years back, horror novels and travelogues, along with some poetry too. I’ve also made a film about the battlefield memorials in Ypres, Belgium. 

What book or books have you published or are working on at the moment?

My first book, Access Denied, was a very personal story of some heartbreaking events I went through a number of years ago. Since then, I’ve written three horror novels, The Roots of Evil, The Deeper Roots of Evil and The Wretched, published two anthologies of short stories and poetry, First Words and Unzipped: The Mind of a Madman and a travelogue called Omonolidee, along with several short stories and memoirs.

I’m currently developing the second sequel, the final part of my Roots trilogy, called The Deepest Roots of Evil, compiling and editing a book about UFOs and working on a full-length horror, a combination of The Wasp Factory and American Psycho, called The Climbing Frame. Oh, and a memoir of my cinema-going experiences called Cinema.

What drives you to write?

Ever since I read H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds, I’ve been inspired to write. I have dreams, or something will occur to me in the natural course of a day which inspires me. I love the effect my work has on people. At least two people told me that Access Denied saved their lives and the other feedback for that has been phenomenal. Someone told me The Wretched gave them “two nightmares!” I’ve also received awards and prizes for my work.

I love the feeling of seeing the finished article. Holding the paperback in my hand, or seeing the book on a tablet, is also very rewarding. To have accomplished and produced something that brings enjoyment or terror to someone is a great driver. I write anywhere/everywhere. On the train, at work in my lunch-hour, at home on a Sunday morning. Whenever I can basically. I generally write on a laptop/PC. However, when on holiday if I don’t have my laptop with me, I’ll write in a notebook then type it up. I’d like to write more often, but invariably it’s several times a week. 

Where can folks find you online and on social media?

My blog/website is at www.davidegates.com – this is the most comprehensive and up-to-date place.

I also have pages at Amazon and Smashwords where you can see everything I’ve published:

David E. Gates’ Amazon Author Page 

David E. Gates’ Smashwords Page  

I’m on Facebook: David E. Gates | Facebook

And on Twitter: @DavidEGatesUK

I’m also on Instagram: DavidEGates

What is one piece of advice you would give to another author out there who might be struggling?

I’ve been very fortunate and met and interviewed several famous authors, such as Clive Barker, Terry Pratchett, James Herbert etc. As an aspiring writer, I asked them what advice they would give. They all said the same thing: “Keep trying.” So, I’d go with that.

What are some of your five-year goals with writing?

I’ve been working on The Climbing Frame for a very long time. It’s my magnus-opus if you will. I really hope to get that finished and it would be a dream to get recognized by one of the big competitions for my work – the Bram Stoker award, or get picked up by a publishing house maybe.

Final thoughts?

I really appreciate you interviewing me. The chance to share my work with your readers and expand to a wider audience is very welcomed so, Thank You!

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