(Cygnus by artist Les Edwards, used with previous permission)

The oldest picture book in our possession is the midnight sky.

~E. W. Maunder, Nineteenth Century, September 1900.

For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.

~Vincent Van Gogh

Though I have been remiss in sharing many of my dreams and inspirations in 2017, the return of seasonable weather and the imposing presence of the constellation Orion in the early night sky has had me in a Sci-Fi frame of mind for some time now. It has been difficult not to be obsessed with the night sky ever since the total eclipse back in August. It was such a surreal moment to experience and one that has strongly influenced my reading and viewing.

It is December 10th, and thus a bit late, but I could not resist the urge to once again spend my December and January enjoying the joys of science fiction. I have been passionate about science fiction in literature and film from childhood and this time of year, with its cold temperatures and early-darkening nights, rekindles that childhood love of the genre.

Though I may be doing so alone, I hope anyone who happens to stumble across this nearly-dead site will consider joining me for The 2018 Sci-Fi Experience.

For several years I have been celebrating the beginning of the new year by immersing myself in science fiction and encouraging others do so also. This two month Experience previously ran from January 1st through the end of February, but over the years I’ve discovered that as soon as it starts to get chilly here in Missouri, I ache to embrace science fiction stories. Thus, a few years ago, I changed the period of The Sci-Fi Experience to begin on December 1st and end on January 31st. This allows us to end the current year and begin the new one by looking to the stars.

Every cubic inch of space is a miracle.

— Walt Whitman

Won’t you join us out there?

Events like these are all about taking the largely solitary act of reading and viewing and gaming and adding the element of “community” to it.

The 2018 Sci-Fi Experience will hopefully give people an opportunity to:

a) Continue their love affair with science fiction
b) Return to science fiction after an absence, or
c) Experience for the first time just how exhilarating science fiction can be.

If you have ever wanted to give science fiction a try, or are already a fan of the genre and are looking for a group of kindred spirits, this is the event for you.

This is a very laid back event. There are no challenges to meet, no limits to how little or much you can participate. You can read short stories, novels, comics, art books…anything with a science fictional bent. You can read nonfiction about space, space travel, other planets, etc. You can watch television shows, films, YouTube series. You can play video or table top games. You can also just fire up your blog and wax eloquent about those science fiction artists whose work you admire.

We will once again be promoting Andrea’s Vintage SF Month as an event that you will also hopefully participate in. The event runs through the month of January and is focused on reading science fiction novels published pre-1979. It is a great time and I look forward to reading some classics for The 2018 Sci-Fi Experience during the month of January.
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You are welcome to participate in The 2018 Sci-Fi Experience as much or as little as you would like over the next two months. If you write any posts about science fiction related books you are reading, television shows or films you are watching, games you are playing or science fiction art you are appreciating, please feel free to link those here in the comments. If you want to sign up to let us know you are taking part, please do so in the Mr. Linky at the end of this post.
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For the sake of nostalgia I wanted to use artwork from a previous Experience and from an artist who had given permission to use their work. Cygnus has long been, and continues to be, one of my all-time favorite science fiction illustrations. It reminds me of books I read as a young adult and fuels my desires to continue to find science fiction that touches those same areas that this genre of literature did back then. It is such a great work of art. I love it. Be sure to check out the website of Les Edwards (Edward Miller) to see more of his work, and perhaps to find some prints or originals for your Christmas shopping!

Here are a few banners if you would like to use them. Please credit the artist on your site if you do.

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I always enjoy making lists for this event, even if I don’t end up following it. I’ve read a couple of books already, which I will soon be reviewing. In addition to those I would like to read:

The Best of Cordwainer Smith by Cordwainer Smith
Xenocide by Orson Scott Card
Trade Secret by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Dragon Ship (on audio) by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller
Avengers of the Moon by Allen Steele
Betrayer of Worlds by Larry Niven

I plan to watch:

The Expanse, seasons one and two
The Martian, extended edition (for the umpteenth time) plus blu-ray extras
Europa Report
Moon
The new Star Trek film trilogy
Star Wars: The Last Jedi
Dark Matter, season two

What about you, anything that you particularly want to read or watch?
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If you write any posts about science fiction related books you are reading, television shows or films you are watching, games you are playing or science fiction art you are appreciating, please feel free to link those on the Review Site.

If you want to sign up to let us know you are taking part, please do so in the Mr. Linky here:

I know the stars are my home. I learned about them, needed them for survival in terms of navigation. I know where I am when I look up at the sky. I know where I am when I look up at the Moon; it’s not just some abstract romantic idea, it’s something very real to me. See, I’ve expanded my home.

— Eugene Cernan, astronaut and moonwalker, Life magazine, November 1988.

I look forward to our journey to the stars, and beyond.