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 the Author

• What literary pilgrimages have you gone on?

I walked to Hemmingway’s home in Key West back when I was in college. I didn’t spring for the tour as money was tighter back then and I’ve always regretted that one. Recently, I went to a restaurant in Zanesville, Ohio called Muddy Misers. It sits on the shore of the Muskingum River and is named after the mentor of novelist Zane Grey. The Muddy Miser, after which the restaurant was named, taught Zane how to fish and encouraged him to write. They have artifacts of Zane Grey all throughout the restaurant and the food was delicious. I read a few of his books in high school and never realized that the man that wrote them grew up in

Ohio. I also didn’t realize he was born all the way back in 1872.

• What is your favorite childhood book?

My favorite childhood book was WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS by Wilson Rawls. My mom read it to me and my older brother when I was quite young. It has stayed on my mind all throughout my life and I recently read it to my oldest daughter. She loved it so much we had to rent the movie. There were so many life lessons encompassed in a story that involved poverty, hardship, hard work, love, tragedy, and growing up.

• What comes first, the plot or characters?

For me, it’s always the plot that comes first. I usually start with a rough idea of where the story starts and where I envision it ending. Then I try to make a rough outline but it’s no more than a one-page outline. After that, I see where the story takes me—and it isn’t always how I draw it up. As I start writing the story, the characters start to take on their own personalities. Sometimes I intend them to be a particular way, but often they push out of the box that I’ve created for them. As they interact with each other on the page, they grow and evolve.

• Who is the author you most admire in your genre?

I would have to say Richard Paul Evans. I realize he’s not exactly classified as a Young Adult writer with most of his stories, but he is Christian and Inspirational fiction focused, which is where my writing often tends to gravitate. I enjoyed his Walk Series, the Christmas Fiction novels, Michel Vey—all of it. He has a good message, he makes the reader feel what his characters are going through, and you usually leave the story in a better mental state than when you began it. It’s a homerun every time and that’s how I could only dream to be described someday.

• What do you like to do when you are not writing?

I really enjoy spending time outdoors. I’m not so good at sitting still, but give me an adventure and I’m in. I like bringing my two daughters with me and experiencing nature with them. Seeing their curiosity and excitement grow with seeing animals in the wild really warms my heart.

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