Author Archives: David E. Gates

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About David E. Gates

David E. Gates has published a number of books and short-stories. He recently won the SILVER prize in the AuthorsDB 2016 Cover Contest for The Ghost of Clothes and won best HORROR Novel Logline for 2016 for The Roots of Evil. He has previously won first prize (Gold) for The Roots of Evil and third prize (Bronze) for Access Denied in the 2015 AuthorsDB Cover Contest, and has made a film about the battlefield memorials in Ypres, Belgium called Ypres – The Battlefield Tours (available at www.shelleyshow.co.uk). David has previously written film reviews for Starburst and Samhain magazines and interviewed the likes of Clive Barker, Terry Pratchett, James Herbert and many others. He has also written a number of short stories, a full-length motion picture screenplay, the screenplay to a short film and in his spare time hosts a rock radio show.

The State We’re In

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They claim there is a “big black hole”,
Of which, they were ne’er tole.
But, we know, of this they lie,
“It’s the fault of others”, they cry!

And so, a vote is being done,
Whereby the rich, decide the outcome.
To make the poor, more poorer still,
To make the sick, even more ill.

They say cutting fuel payments is due,
To fill this hole, nothing else will do.
Whilst they spend billions abroad,
On a phony war and climate fraud.

Some will abstain, afraid of losing the whip,
They’ll lose more than dignity, aboard that ship.
The people have memories, strong and long,
And time will come, when those MPs are gone.

Those same MPs claiming expenses for fuel,
Whilst taking away from others is cruel.
Whilst two-tier Keir, jails everyone quick,
For simply stating the people are sick.

Sick and tired of the endless mire,
Of broken pledges and this liar.
Who said many things, before elected,
All of which he’s now rejected.

Never stopping the boats, letting illegals in,
Housing them all, it really is grim.
Releasing prisoners, halfway through term,
This PM is nought but a germ.

A charlatan, a weasel, a public disgrace,
I don’t know how he can keep a straight face.
Starmer the traitor, the backstabbing cunt,
He really does have some front.

The quicker he’s gone, the better for all.
When that happens, we’ll have a ball.
He won’t be missed, is what many confess,
As he continues to perpetuate this mess.

©Copyright 2024 – David E. Gates.

For more unique poetry, check out the following:

Review: Alien: Romulus

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I am a major fan of the Alien/Aliens franchise. I have more different versions, special editions, box-sets and various director’s cuts, of Alien and Aliens than I have of any other film in my collection. I have/had copies on VHS, Laserdisc, DVD, Blu-Ray etc. and have watched them all several times over.

So, it was not withstanding after the disappointment I felt with the last four outings,  Alien3, Alien Resurrection, Alien: Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, (I consider the Alien vs. Predator movies to be a branch off, rather than direct sequels/prequels), that I was looking forward, albeit with a sense of trepidation, to Alien: Romulus. I was hoping they wouldn’t disappoint me again – especially regarding inaccurate details in respect of the xenomorph history as detailed in the sequels/prequels to Alien/Aliens.

I consider Alien, and Aliens, to be the pinnacle of all the films released in the franchise thus far, though I do consider AVP: Alien vs. Predator to be a worthy addition to this list.

Alien: Romulus is, for timeline purposes, a direct sequel to Alien. And whilst the connection between it and it’s prequel is a little tenuous, it’s not unbelievable. And, from that establishing link onwards, Alien: Romulus is a gritty, joyful and very exciting ride which fans of the first two films will enjoy. There are numerous homages, both visually and via the soundtrack, to most of the films in the franchise, along with a very special reappearance, which, if you’re a fan like I am, you’ll absolutely delight in.

There’s not many movies which cause me, whilst watching them, to utter the word “Fuck!”, in gleeful response to what I’m seeing onscreen, but Alien: Romulus’ director, Fede Alvarez, has expertly ramped up the tension and thrills to cause me to say it during one of the more intense and exciting scenes. The performances, by and large, and especially from Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, are excellent and believable.

If I am to have any criticism of the film, it would be that the writers, Fede Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues seem to have tried a little too hard to make a connection to some of the other films in the franchise. Just pulling back a little and not fully plagiarising one of the franchise’s greatest lines would have been a nice nod, but it comes across as somewhat cheesy, and maybe a little clumsy, in its execution. But maybe I’m being picky.

Overall, the script is tight and action-packed, with some excellent and original ideas that are executed very well. As was the case with Alien Resurrection, the titular aliens are scary as hell. Alvarez doesn’t hold back in giving fans what they finally deserve, especially in terms of frights and gore. Again, as in Alien Resurrection, the final “monster” is disappointing. I’m trying desperately not to let that colour my entire review, but I just didn’t find it scary at all and it took the edge of what was, up until then, an excellent five-star film. The original aliens are the true stuff of nightmares and, in my opinion, they should have stuck with those. With double-jawed mandibles and acid-for-blood, what’s not to be afraid of? And, in Alien: Romulus, these are delivered in terrifying numbers and capacity and should satisfy most fans of the franchise.

David E. Gates

For more reviews, and my experience of cinema, including interviews with some of its directors and stars, check out Cinema by David E. Gates.

©Copyright 2024 – David E. Gates

In Hallowed Halls…

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In hallowed halls, they counted thus.
All the votes, submitted by us.
There felt like there was change in the air,
For about only one party, did we care.

But it seems it was not to be.
People voted for those who took the knee,
For a career criminal and the corrupt BLM,
You have to wonder, what got into them?

Women betrayed, by men in frocks,
By blokes trying to hide their cocks.
As they take over women’s spaces,
And women’s sports and other places.

Supported by a government they voted in,
The future feels bad, feels somewhat grim.
A minister who believes you can grow a cervix,
If you’re one of many that hosts dicks.

This country feels lost, as do I.
I feel like I just want to cry.
Now is the calm before the storm,
Maybe one day we’ll get Reform.

©Copyright 2024 – David E. Gates.

For more poems, check out the following from David E. Gates’ bookstore:

David E. Gates featured on Shepherd’s “Best Books”.

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I am delighted to announce that I have been selected to have a feature on Shepherd’s “Best Books” website. The site aims to create an experience that is like wandering the aisles of your favourite bookstore. When looking for a new book online, it can sometimes feel soulless.

In it’s founder, Ben Fox’s, own words:

“A book is an experience, and the process of finding a book is part of that experience. 

I love wandering around bookstores and letting random books capture my attention. Nothing will ever replace the “bookstore experience,” but I want to reimagine online book discovery with more serendipity and delight. 

To start, I’ve asked 9,000+ authors to share five of their favourite books around a topic, theme, or mood and why they love each book. This infuses each book with magic and meaning.

To read about the five horror books I’ve chosen, and how they changed my life, click here.

The Cyclist

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On driving home last night, I saw someone riding their bike, dressed entirely in black clothing, with no lights, on the wrong side of the road, towards oncoming traffic. I was inspired to write the following poem.

Riding at night, no lights, dressed in black, 
Riding like a fucking maniac. 
Rider thinks they’re really skilled. 
Just a matter of time, until they’re killed. 
 
Jumping all and any red light,  
Giving pedestrians a terrible fright. 
But Jeremy Vine, and his like, 
Probably think this is alright. 
 
Riding on pavements, furious and fast, 
You can tell their life won’t last.  
They film every time they ride, 
Hoping to capture the moment they died. 
 
Using their phones, as they hurtle along, 
They don’t realise, this is wrong. 
Yet when Mikey sees drivers on the phone, 
He moans until the cows come home. 
 
The law may, and often doth say,  
Cars and lorries must give way, 
But think of the sacrifice, you must give, 
By slowing, being considerate, in order to live. 
 
There’s no protection from your Lycra tights, 
When you’re under their wheels, screaming your rights. 
Stop trying to get people sacked, 
Just because of skills they lacked. 
 
Don’t be selfish, don’t report every mistake, 
Else you’ll look like a dick, for goodness sake. 
Share the road, consider the others, 
It’s not just yours, my dear bike lovers. 

©David E. Gates – 2024

For more poems, check out Realm of Rhyme and my other anthologies, First Words and Unzipped – The Mind of a Madman.

Latest Update

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After releasing my last book, Access Denied – What Happened Next, back in November, and having published three other books in 2023, The Curse of Poker, BD and Thrashman – The Express FM Years, and my mother’s collection of poetry Written on the Road, I decided to take a short break from writing or anything to do with writing, bar the occasional marketing of the latest books I’d released.

I came back to a piece I’d started early last year and worked my way through it from the beginning, as I always do when returning to projects. It’s a horror story and I was really surprised that on reading what I’d written previously, how often I got goosebumps at the content. Really made me wonder that if it has that effect on me, and I wrote it, what the effect on someone else would be.

I now can’t wait to finish it and get it in front of someone to critique and get their feelings/thoughts on it. I’m hoping to release it at some point this year, most likely aiming for Halloween, if not before.

Provisional Artwork – Subject to change

Amazing Feedback for Access Denied – What Happened Next

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“Very harrowing how one woman can affect a life in such a way. One who inflicts the pain that both you and Kelly have suffered. Very well written, as usual. I had to read the whole book in one go!” – Kathleen

“Interesting but so sad at the same time.” – Christina.

Ten years ago, David E. Gates published his first book, Access Denied, to great critical acclaim.

Many, after reading it, wanted to know, and asked, “What happened next?”

Access Denied – What Happened Next is a follow-up detailing what happened since the publishing of that first book. It tells of how David sought to rebuild his life following the traumatic events he went through and the surprise that he never expected that occurred several years afterwards.

Previously excluded from Access Denied, this follow-up also includes the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report into the appalling CSA actions and incompetence, many of which are still occurring today.

Access Denied is compelling reading. Thought-provoking, honest, extraordinary, revealing. A damning indictment of the Child Support Agency and Family Courts. Many of those that have read it said, “I couldn’t put it down!”

Released on 25th November 2023. Available from here and Amazon.

Access Denied – What Happened Next

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Ten years ago, David E. Gates published his first book, Access Denied, to great critical acclaim.

Many, after reading it, wanted to know, and asked, “What happened next?”

Access Denied – What Happened Next is a follow-up detailing what happened since the publishing of that first book. It tells of how David sought to rebuild his life following the traumatic events he went through and the surprise that he never expected that occurred several years afterwards.

Previously excluded from Access Denied, this follow-up also includes the Parliamentary Ombudsman’s report into the appalling CSA actions and incompetence, many of which are still occurring today.

Access Denied is compelling reading. Thought-provoking, honest, extraordinary, revealing. A damning indictment of the Child Support Agency and Family Courts. Many of those that have read it said, “I couldn’t put it down!”

Released on 25th November 2023. Available to pre-order from here and Amazon.

First Review for BD and Thrashman – The Express FM Years

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BD and Thrashman – The Express FM Years

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Received this wonderful review for BD and Thrashman – The Express FM Years:

“Really enjoyed reading it. Lots of lovely memories. I thought Thrashman’s addition was quite moving. I felt a bit sad when I got to the last page. I wanted to keep reading about your adventures.” – Karen Moore.

Available to buy at all good online bookstores and from my online bookstore here.

BD’s Rock Show, the phenomenal local radio rock show that was broadcast on Express FM in Portsmouth, (and world-wide via the internet), between 2006 and 2020 showcased BD & Thrashman’s unique, anarchic, juvenile and comedic style to an audience of listeners that had never heard the like of such a show before.

What Wayne’s World did for evoking memories of their teenage years, BD’s Rock Show did for BD & Thrashman’s lunacy and passion for rock, hard rock and heavy metal like no show had ever done so previously.

BD & Thrashman – The Express FM Years tells the story, with more than 170 photos, of their rise to fame, and infamy, the bands and artists they met and interviewed along the way, and the adoring fans who made their experiences all the better.

BD & Thrashman –Proudly the last bastion of political incorrectness.

“The best book I never read.” – Lemmy.
“I’ve got no time for the man!” – Just about everyone.
“What’s the matter with ‘im?” – Ricky Gervais.
“Utter CRAP!” – Blackadder.
“Those two are a scream!” – Keeeet.
“Aiiiight!” – Little Johnny.

Available to buy at all good online bookstores and from my online bookstore here.

BD and Thrashman – The Express FM Years

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BD’s Rock Show, the phenomenal local radio rock show that was broadcast on Express FM in Portsmouth, (and world-wide via the internet), between 2006 and 2020 showcased BD & Thrashman’s unique, anarchic, juvenile and comedic style to an audience of listeners that had never heard the like of such a show before.

What Wayne’s World did for evoking memories of their teenage years, BD’s Rock Show did for BD & Thrashman’s lunacy and passion for rock, hard rock and heavy metal like no show had ever done so previously.

BD & Thrashman – The Express FM Years tells the story, with more than 170 photos, of their rise to fame, and infamy, the bands and artists they met and interviewed along the way, and the adoring fans who made their experiences all the better.

BD & Thrashman –Proudly the last bastion of political incorrectness.

“The best book I never read.” – Lemmy.
“I’ve got no time for the man!” – Just about everyone.
“What’s the matter with ‘im?” – Ricky Gervais.
“Utter CRAP!” – Blackadder.
“Those two are a scream!” – Keeeet.
“Aiiiight!” – Little Johnny.

Available to buy at all good online bookstores and from my online bookstore here.