About the Book

Book: THE GODCHILD

Author: S.C. Terlecky

Genre: YA Christian Dystopian

Release Date: December 9, 2025

When fifteen-year-old Ellie Wilder discovers a contraband journal hidden in her attic, her decision to read its contents rather than turning it over to TEAMMATE officials will destroy any chance of living a normal life. The good news? Andy Jacobs, the most popular boy in her school, now realizes she exists. The bad news? She might not exist much longer if TEAMMATE has anything to say about it. Now that she’s awakened from the encompassing lie of the world she lives in, how can she possibly warn others who are content to remain in a blissful Neverland? She’ll need to challenge her own beliefs, embrace her destiny, and put everything on the line or else the dying spark she’s uncovered in this hostile future will be extinguished—along with her life, forever.

 

Click here to get your copy!

 

About the Author

S.C. Terlecky lives in Northeast Ohio with his two daughters and herd of cats. He enjoys a multitude of outdoor activities and reading stories each night to his girls. His previous works include American Relic and Canticle of the Spear. He loves strong storytelling, interesting characters, and concepts with lasting impact.

 

 

 

 

More from S.C.

The truth may set you free, but are you prepared for the cost?

When I set out to write my third novel, THE GODCHILD, I wanted to create something that would remain on the mind of the reader after the final page. There are a number of excellent young adult books that left a lasting impression on me in my younger years, and my desire was to contribute something truly moving for the next generation.

Drawing from some of my favorite classic YA dystopian fiction novels, there is often one theme in common—they focus on fighting an all-powerful, evil group of people with a smaller group of likeable underdogs who want to preserve some important, physically tangible aspect of living. It may be saving a faction of people from oppression by another faction like in Veronica Roth’s Divergent or Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games. The story may highlight a need to break free from a world of total control like in The Giver by Lois Lowry or A Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. They may even primarily focus on saving humanity from extinction like in James Dashner’s The Maze Runner. But how many add the spiritual implications of eternity alongside these important physical themes? This is where THE GODCHILD is meant to have a deeper reach into the reader. And when the tale is completely told, the chilling part of this story is that it’s not unbelievable—especially in today’s world.

Author Interview

• What is your favorite genre of books? Why?

I enjoy a multitude of book genres but if I had to pick a favorite one, it would probably be YA. I think there’s a couple different reasons why I’ll always circle back to this genre. Naturally, it was the first genre I ever read as a kid so there’s a long-time familiarity with these types of stories. They’re also a nice break from longer, complex, verbose, adult books that can really wear a reader out. The quicker chapters, high stakes drama, clean humor, and life lessons learned seem to hit home with me time after time.

• Are you a one project at a time author or do you have multiple projects going at once?

I typically have two projects going in my head at one time. Usually, I have one that’s further along so I’ll make myself concentrate on finishing that one—unless I have a period of inspiration where I have to get a fresh idea down in my second book. I tend to write different genres, so it doesn’t seem to be a problem to juggle two fictional worlds at one time.

• How do you relax after a long day of writing?

I tend to function best in two-hour periods of time. With another job and children, I would have a difficult time sitting and writing for an eight-hour period. So, on my best day, I might be able to write eight pages. After staring at the laptop screen for two hours, I like to go for a walk outside. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is, what the temperature is, or anything else weather related. I just need to walk in the woods and rerun the scenes through my head. It’s peaceful and calming. Often, I pull more inspiration from these side quests then while I’m writing.

• Do you have extensive outlines when writing or do you write a book as you go?

I have an extremely limited outline to begin. It’s usually one page in length and doesn’t have an entire map of the story. I’ve always been a “big picture” person in real life and I suppose that carries over into my writing. So, I have my story’s beginning and ending, I have my overall theme of the story with a main character, and I let the story unravel from there.

• What do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?

The biggest need for my writing space is quiet. I tend to write best early in the morning before anyone else is awake. I feel like my mind is clearest at 4:30 in the morning, which it gives me my two-hour window until my girls wake up. Once I’m making breakfast and diverting my attention elsewhere, I have a difficult time getting back into a story. The second most important thing is a comfortable chair!

Blog Stops

The Lofty Pages, January 12

Simple Harvest Reads, January 13 (Author Interview)

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, January 13

Artistic Nobody, January 14 (Author Interview)

Guild Master, January 15 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 16

Fiction Book Lover, January 17 (Author Interview)

Blogging With Carol, January 18

Vicky Sluiter, January 19 (Author Interview)

For the Love of Literature, January 20 (Author Interview)

Tell Tale Book Reviews, January 21 (Author Interview)

Texas Book-aholic, January 22

Blossoms and Blessings, January 23 (Author Interview)

Stories By Gina, January 24 (Author Interview)

Jodie Wolfe – Stories Where Hope and Quirky Meet, January 25 (Author Interview)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, January 25

Giveaway

To celebrate his tour, S.C. is giving away the grand prize of a $100 Amazon Gift Card!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://gleam.io/kZzku/the-godchild-celebration-tour-giveaway