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.

Interview with S.C.

How long does it take you to write a book?

My timeline average right now seems to be five years from initial idea to completed project. I know that’s much longer than most authors, but it seems to work well for me. Also, I have another full-time job and other responsibilities that consume a good deal of time. In addition to the time constraints, I would consider myself a deep thinker and I can mull over ideas for a very long time before taking decisive action. I’m blessed to be able to write as a hobby. For me, it can also be therapeutic and I genuinely look forward to sitting down and working on my stories. In the end, what matters most to me is that I’m putting out the best work possible—so if it takes me longer, that’s okay.

When did you write your first book and how old were you?

I started my first book my junior year of high school. Our district went on strike that fall, so I had three weeks of school off. It was great at first, but I lived twenty minutes away from the district I attended school so it was a forty-minute round trip to see my friends. My mom got me the first few Harry Potter books from the library and I read each one in not much more than a day. The series wasn’t done and my creativity was stoked and looking for an outlet. I’d always wanted to write a book and for the first time in my life, I had nothing else to do. All sports were cancelled, there was nothing to study for, and I didn’t have a job. I wrote the first few chapters of American Relic during that time. It was very rough looking back at my skill level. When the strike ended, I ran out of time. I eventually came back to it after I graduated from college and reworked it extensively. That book will always hold a special place in my heart.

What would you say is the most difficult part of writing a book?

I usually hit a wall after about a hundred pages. I’m not entirely sure why. It’s probably psychological because hitting a hundred pages feels like a big deal—to me anyway. By this point I’ve got my characters introduced, their problems are all looming before them, and next comes the daunting task of getting to the midpoint of the story. The story is still moving uphill at this point so it can feel heavy and slower, if that makes sense. However, once I get past midway, it feels like I’m rolling downhill. The ideas and tie ins come more quickly and naturally to me as I push to the end.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I’m not very good at sitting still, so when I’m not writing I prefer to be hiking, lifting, or exploring something new. Give me an adventure and I’m in. I love the outdoors so that’s usually my go-to, but anywhere new also works. There are so many places in my own state, in addition to our whole country, that I still haven’t seen that it makes me want to jump in my truck and just go.

Any current or upcoming projects you’d like to tell us about?

I’d like to tackle a historical fiction novel for my next project. It’s still pretty early in the process but I’m looking into the 1930s and 1940s timeframe. I’ve always been interested in the WWII era for some reason. I enjoy reading about it so I have to figure I’d enjoy writing about it as well. It was such a tumultuous time that really shaped the rest of the century based on the choices made. A lot of the people that actually lived through it are passing away each day and so I try to ask questions any time I interact with someone from the Greatest Generation.

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