Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with June Gillam
Book Title: Fallen Kings: Unholy Secrets
Released: 09/25/24
Genre: Social Justice Crime Fiction
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “Fallen Kings: Unholy Secrets”?
Gillam: What first inspired me were “What if” questions that popped into my mind a couple years ago. What if the threat of women’s rights being nibbled away by conservative political forces came true? What if the Handmaid horrors were becoming a possibility? What if oppressive tactics to force women back to traditional roles succeed? Could there be forces at work in the world trying to make that happen? And why? What are they afraid of? That is the origin of the villain in Fallen Kings: Unholy Secrets—Father Tommaso, leader of the Dei Patris cult under the direction of a corrupt Italian Cardinal. Hillary Broome is messy, strong, vulnerable, and determined exploring women’s rights, religion, and power in Italy as she hunts for her missing daughter.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process or your book?
Gillam: I want readers to know I work hard to build a story that engages them on many levels and sticks with them, like some books stick with me even over decades since I read them.
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Gillam: I play Solitaire on my phone while staying right at my desk, to get back to writing as soon as I win or lose a game. That works for me as “butt glue,” which was distributed to writers at a recent conference as small bottles of Elmer’s glue with a fake label.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Gillam: Find a support group that nourishes you at the same time the group supplied the gifts of regular deadlines. Sisters in Crime, set up for both women and “misters” can be a good way to find a support group. https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/ABOUT
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Gillam: I have loved thrillers and horror ever since I read Steven King’s Pet Semetary when I was home recovering from having my wisdom teeth pulled. Dean Koontz’s From the Corner of His Eye and Robert Harris’s Conclave are among my favorites as are Thomas Harris’s Hannibal Lector books. I also love Donna Tartt’s Secret History and Little Friend, plus Joanne Harris (what is it with these Harrises?) Five Quarters of the Orange, and Jodi Picoult’s Small Great Things.
What are you working on next?
Gillam: Tahoe Shadows: Lessons in Fear, book one in a new thriller trilogy. To be launched in 2026. Subscribe to my newsletter for updates. https://www.junegillam.com/
Want to find out more about Fallen Kings: Unholy Secrets or June Gillam? Find them here:
My website: https://www.junegillam.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GorillaGirlInk/
Interested in checking out the book for yourself?
Find it for purchase here
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