We recently connected with Heidi Gray McGill and have shared our conversation below.

Heidi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

What sort of legacy are you hoping to build?

I hope to build a legacy rooted in faithfulness rather than fame. I pray that everything I write—whether it’s a full-length novel, a blog post, or a simple social media caption—points people to the heart of God. If my stories can reflect His love, His grace, and His unchanging presence amid life’s messiness, then I will have succeeded.

I’m not chasing success in a worldly sense. I’m building something eternal: truth told through fiction, hope offered through hardship, and joy discovered even in trials. I want readers to realize they are not alone—and that the Author of life is still writing their story.

What do you think people will say about you after you are gone?

I hope they’ll say I loved well, laughed often, and lived with purpose. That I didn’t allow my limitations—like blindness—to define me, but used every gift God gave me to serve others with compassion, creativity, and courage.

More than that, I hope people will say: I listened to God and followed where He led, even when the path wasn’t clear and that I chose obedience over recognition, and faithfulness over comfort.

What do you hope to be remembered for?

I want to be remembered as someone who used her words to build, not break. Someone who told stories that made people feel known, valued, and closer to Jesus. I hope others will remember me for living with joy, for lifting others up, and for leaving behind stories that continue to speak long after I’m gone.

If someone picks up one of my books years from now and walks away with a deeper sense of God’s love or a renewed sense of hope, then that’s the legacy I pray to leave.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Heidi Gray McGill, a Christian fiction author with a heart for storytelling that reflects God’s grace and redemption. I write both historical and contemporary inspirational romance, crafting stories that point readers to the hope and healing found in Christ—often through characters who face deep personal trials, unexpected love, and second chances.

My writing journey began in 2020, but my love for words goes back much further. Before becoming an author, I served as the founder and director of an ESL (English as a Second Language) program, where I witnessed firsthand the power of story to connect, teach, and inspire.

My mission stems from a deep calling, not a career plan. I never expected to be a published author, let alone one who writes full-time—but when God opened the door, I walked through it. And then kept writing. I’ve long believed that stories have the power to heal, to comfort, and to point people back to truth. As someone who spent years mentoring others through education and ministry, I’ve seen how a well-told story can spark something in the heart—a moment of recognition, a shift in perspective, or the courage to believe that redemption is still possible.

My books are more than entertainment. They are heart-deep, character-driven stories filled with biblical truth woven into the fabric of everyday life. I tackle real-life issues like grief, rejection, adoption, disability, and redemption through relatable, imperfect characters. Whether it’s a young woman navigating post-Civil War life or a modern-day single entrepreneur finding faith again, I want my readers to see themselves in the pages—and come away with renewed hope.

I’m legally blind, and that’s an important part of my story. Rather than viewing it as a setback, I see it as a unique calling. It’s helped shape the way I approach creativity, accessibility, and perseverance. I make sure my books are available in formats that meet a variety of needs, including audiobooks and eBooks optimized for screen readers.

What sets me apart? I would say it’s the combination of faith-filled fiction, authentic emotion, and a commitment to using story as ministry. I don’t shy away from hard topics, but I always write with a redemptive arc, because that’s the God I serve—a Redeemer.

I’m most proud when a reader reaches out to say, “Your story gave me peace,” or “I saw myself in your character.” That’s what this is all about: using the gifts given to me to draw hearts closer to God.

My brand isn’t about me—it’s about Him. My mission is simple: to glorify God and encourage readers through stories that inspire faith, reflect truth, and remind us that even in brokenness, there is beauty when God is the Author.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One of the most defining parts of my creative journey—and my life—is my legal blindness. I have less than 5% of my peripheral vision remaining. The best way to describe it is like looking through a toilet paper tube: I can see what’s directly in front of me, but everything around it is gone. That limited field of vision means everyday tasks—like tracking a cursor across the screen—can become surprisingly challenging.

I don’t use a screen reader or magnification software. Instead, I’ve adapted my workflow to fit my needs. I use a bright ¼-inch mouse pointer with a ½-inch trailing tail so I can locate it more easily. Even then, I lose it often. Writing, editing, formatting—these all take extra time and focus. But I’ve learned to make it work.

I remember one particularly frustrating afternoon when I simply couldn’t find the cursor. I had work to do and deadlines to meet, but I couldn’t move forward until I located that little arrow. It sounds small, but in the moment, it felt like a wall. I stepped away from my desk and took a walk—something I do often when I need to clear my mind and reconnect with the bigger picture.

On that walk, God reminded of a truth that has carried me through so many challenges: God doesn’t call us to easy—He calls us to obedience. That moment became a turning point. I realized my blindness wasn’t a barrier to creativity; it was a reminder that I don’t have to rely on my own strength or ability. I just need to keep taking faithful steps, one at a time.

My blindness hasn’t stopped me from writing books filled with God’s hope and redeeming love. If anything, it’s refined me. It’s taught me to approach both life and creativity with perseverance, grace, and a sense of humor. I want others to know—especially those facing challenges of their own—that your limitations don’t disqualify you. They just shape the unique way your story is told.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

As an independently published author, I don’t have a big-name publisher backing me with a marketing team or advertising budget. Every step—every sale, every review, every reader—is something I’ve had to earn through effort, prayer, and persistence. One of my favorite (and boldest) marketing moments came when I took what felt like a giant leap: I gave away over 6,000 copies of my debut novel, DESIRE OF MY HEART, in a single day.

On paper, it sounds like a terrible business decision. I essentially traded thousands of dollars in potential revenue for the chance to get my book into more hands. But here’s what I knew: No one can buy your book if they don’t know it exists. And no one will leave a review if they haven’t read it.

So, when Amazon offered me the chance to run a free promotion, I took it—despite the risk. The odds were stacked against me. I was relatively unknown, had no paid ads running, and very little visibility on Amazon. But I had something else: a belief that when you’re obedient to what God calls you to do, He takes care of the outcome.

The result? That one-day giveaway led to over 60 new reviews, a spike in Kindle Unlimited page reads, and a surge in follow-up sales for the next book in the series. I watched as my ranking climbed. Not because I spent money, but because I took a chance—and readers responded.

That experience taught me a few things. First, generosity can be a powerful marketing tool. Second, when you’re building something from scratch—especially as an indie—you have to get creative and take calculated risks. But more than that, it reminded me why I do this: not to make a fortune, but to reach people with stories that glorify God and reflect His redemptive love.

In fact, I’d love to offer you something free as well. When you subscribe to my newsletter, you’ll receive an exclusive code to download my prequel—DEEP IN MY HEART—in both ebook and audiobook formats. It’s my way of saying thank you and giving you a heartfelt introduction to the stories I write and the characters I hope you’ll come to love. You can get started here: https://heidigraymcgill.com/free_book/.

Marketing as an indie author is hard. Some days, I feel like I’m shouting into the void. But moments like that giveaway remind me that boldness, coupled with obedience, can open unexpected doors.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heidigraymcgill.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorHeidiGrayMcGill
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/HeidiGrayMcGill
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@authorheidigraymcgill/?sub_confirmation=1
• Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20851872.Heidi_Gray_McGill
  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/heidi-gray-mcgill?follow=true
  https://Store.heidigraymcgill.com/
  https://www.amazon.com/author/heidigraymcgill