I Finished It

By M. C. Oliver

I can’t believe it.

After two and a half months of hard work, I finished my first novel. Tilgi. I’m still having one of those movie moments where you’re so happy that you’re, like, frozen.

But now that I’ve finished this horrendous draft, I can start working on this short story for a friend.

But what am I going to do with Tilgi? I feel like God is calling me to publish it. I have always dreamed of being traditionally published but now I feel like God is calling me self-publish this book, which feels crazy.

So, now I’m considering and researching self-publishing. However, if I misunderstood what God was telling me, then I will be turning this train around immediately. Because I don’t to do something or go somewhere where God isn’t with me.

When God made it clear He wanted me to publish Tilgi, I began to make some plans on how to tackle what He’s called me too.

However, the closer I get to publication ready, the more I realize how impossible my dream is. My dream/goal is to publish Tilgi by July of 2026 so I can sell my books at the Young Writer’s Retreat in August 2026.

This journey began around September 2025. I still don’t see how this dream can be accomplished but however God works it out, I’m game. To me, the more impossible the dream, the more I have to trust Him to work it out if He’s calling me to do something.

Unfortunately, self-publishing is a lot of money. I may be able to lessen the cost, though, by doing the cover myself on Canva or something. And then I could hire developmental and content editors.

However, if God decides to change any of the plans I’ve made to publish my book by July, I’m perfectly okay with that. I want His plans and His way no matter where it takes me.

Please pray for me and my writing journey to get this story published.

Thank you so much for reading!