The universe is full of lights, if you know where to look.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Aphelion Press! As 2025 draws to a close, we find ourselves reflecting on another incredible year of stories, exploration, and the enduring power of human imagination.
The holidays are a time for tradition, for gathering with loved ones, and for looking back at where we’ve been. But for those of us who live with one foot in the future, it’s also a time to dream about what holidays might look like in the years—and centuries—to come.
The Gift of Other Worlds
There is a special kind of magic in unwrapping a book on Christmas morning. It’s not just paper and ink (or pixels and light); it’s a ticket. A passport to a city in the clouds, a research station on Europa, or a timeline where history took a different turn.
In 2025, we’ve seen science fiction continue to grow and evolve. We’ve seen stories that challenge our assumptions, stories that offer hope in the face of adversity, and stories that simply let us escape gravity for a little while. This year, the greatest gift we received was the community of readers and writers who continue to believe that stories matter.
Holidays in Zero-G
Science fiction has always loved to ask: How will we carry our traditions into the stars?
Will future colonists on Mars sync their celebrations to Earth time, or will they develop new festivals based on the Martian year? Will families on generation ships gather around holographic fireplaces? What carols will be sung in the mess halls of orbital stations?
We believe that no matter how far we travel, we will always find reasons to gather, to share food, and to exchange gifts. The settings may change—from snowy villages to starlit observation decks—but the spirit of connection remains the human constant.
A Sci-Fi Holiday Prompt
If you're writing today, ask yourself: What is the most cherished holiday object for a character who is light-years from home? Is it a physical relic from Earth, a digital memory, or a new tradition they've forged in the void?
Looking Ahead to 2026
As we finish our eggnog (or synthetic equivalent) and power down for the evening, we are filled with anticipation for what comes next. 2026 promises to be another year of discovery. We have new authors to introduce, new worlds to unveil, and new frontiers to explore together.
Thank you for traveling with us this year. Thank you for reading, for reviewing, and for dreaming.
"The universe is vast, but it is never empty as long as we have stories to fill it."
From everyone at Aphelion Press, we wish you a holiday season filled with wonder, peace, and perhaps a little bit of starlight.
Merry Christmas!
