An Interview with M. Almelk
M. Almelk is the author of The Fallen Kind trilogy, a post-apocalyptic saga blending sci-fi, fantasy, and human drama. His work draws inspiration from mysterious, layered shows like Lost and The Leftovers, as well as the atmosphere and energy of rock music — from stadium anthems to the haunting weight of metal.
Based in the UK, Almelk balances writing with family life and a career in sales, where his love of storytelling often spills over into everyday conversations. When he’s not shaping new worlds on the page, he’s probably discovering new music, catching up with the world of professional wrestling, or plotting his trip to the next rock show.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
I started writing as a hobby, just for fun, but soon became deeply attached to the world I was building. The Fallen Kind grew from my love of layered, mysterious stories like Lost and The Leftovers, and from the atmosphere of rock and metal music that carried me through the writing process. I wanted to create something cinematic — a story that feels alive, as if you’re stepping into a world rather than just reading about it.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The Fallen Kind came to me fairly quickly, though the subtitles of each volume took more thought. I wanted a series title that captured both humanity’s fragility and its resilience — something broad enough to carry across the whole trilogy. Vol. I: Ghosts of Nunchi set the tone, but at the end of that first book, there’s a huge cliffhanger moment. I decided to weave that into the naming of the sequel, so the titles talk to each other and build momentum. Each subtitle has to stand on its own, but also feel like part of a bigger, unfolding design.
Describe your dream book cover.
My dream book cover would feel cinematic — the kind of thing that makes you stop scrolling and just stare at it. I love strong, atmospheric imagery: a world half-ruined, half-beautiful, with colours that immediately set the tone for what’s inside. Each volume in The Fallen Kind has its own palette, but the logo and styling tie them together, almost like a band releasing albums with different vibes but the same identity. Ideally, you’d look at the cover and feel like you’re peering into a scene from a film — it should have that lived-in texture, as if the world is already moving without you.
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
Music has been stitched into The Fallen Kind from the very beginning. For Vol. I: Ghosts of Nunchi, I leaned heavily into the cinematic energy of Muse’s The 2nd Law — its sense of chaos and survival matched the vibe perfectly. Vol. II: Death in Furo carried an eighties influence — think Don’t You (Forget About Me) by Simple Minds or Sultans of Swing by Dire Straits, timeless tracks that float above the story while still grounding it. For Vol. III: Dreams of Iris, the mood shifts again — more ethereal, haunted, and spiritual. Songs like 24 Light-Years by VOLA, Midnight by Coldplay, or something by Sleep Token or Ghost sit right at home.
In fact, some passages were written like I was scoring a film in real time — the dance scene in the saloon is practically a tribute to Sultans of Swing.
So yes, The Fallen Kind was always written to a soundtrack. I just hope that one day readers get to hear an official one.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
Right now I’m reading The Hotel Avocado by Bob Mortimer. He’s a bit of a hero of mine — I loved his earlier book, The Satsuma Complex. His silly, surreal humour really resonates with me, as I grew up with Monty Python and that whole tradition of absurd comedy.
I’m also about to start A Beautiful World by James Norbury. I suspect I’ll really enjoy his gentle wisdom and the way you can read it either front-to-back or dip in at random.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
I actually started out in events and marketing — everything from designing the posters to booking the acts. It was creative, fast-paced, and definitely gave me an eye for how stories and experiences connect with people. These days I work in sales, out on the road, and honestly, it’s my favourite job yet — I love the freedom, the variety, and the people I get to meet.
Something readers might not know: I’m also a qualified history teacher. I’ve not gone down that career path (yet!) because I’m having too much fun in sales, but it’s another side of me that’s always there — the part that loves sharing stories and ideas.
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
A few different sparks came together for me. My family encouraged me to write from a young age, so the seed was always there. As a teenager, I was hooked on the Harry Potter series, and that love of immersive, layered worlds really stayed with me. Later, I found myself drawn to shows like Lost and The Leftovers — those mysterious, atmospheric stories where fate, survival, and human connection all collide. That combination of early encouragement, formative reading, and the influence of those shows eventually pushed me to sit down and create a world of my own.
Where is your favorite place to write?
I don’t really have a single favorite place to write — my ideas tend to arrive uninvited, often first thing in the morning while I’m driving. I’ll carry them around in my head until I can pull over or get to where I’m going, then I scribble them down before they vanish. Inspiration has a habit of showing up at the worst possible times — never when I’m sat at the desk ready to write, but always when I’m halfway down the motorway!
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
If I could give my past self advice, I’d say: find a way to catalogue every idea, whether it’s with Notion, OneNote, or Evernote — those little sparks can become whole worlds later. Don’t settle too quickly; push yourself harder in world-building so you can truly be proud of the result. And seek out places of inspiration that echo the worlds you’re trying to create — like the surreal charm of The Forbidden Corner in the North of England, or the cinematic atmosphere of MiniHollywood in Almería. Immerse yourself in those energies; they’ll feed the work in ways you can’t predict.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I hope readers leave The Fallen Kind not only with an enjoyment of its world — enough to want to come back and explore more — but also with a more mindful approach to their own lives. The series is about survival, fate, and nature, but beneath it all, it’s also about slowing down, noticing the small choices, and carrying them with intention. And maybe, just maybe, they’ll still be wondering what secrets the world of The Fallen Kind hasn’t revealed yet.
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