As we merry band of survivors known as the skeleton crew continue our December adventures without the leadership of our trusty publisher Allyson Longueira, we have given quite a bit of thought to reminders of those who cannot be with us during the holiday season. (Yes, Allyson, we all miss you as you travel the continent in search of obscure holiday customs. Even the dust bunnies miss you.)

We all have loved ones who live far away, whom we think of daily but might not contact as often as we like. And, since it is the holiday season, we also have been thinking of gift giving. A beautifully wrapped book beneath the tree is always welcome (and a few of the skeletons on the crew admit to squeezing presents in search of that beloved book shape, then waiting in breathless anticipation for gift-opening day, and seeing what reading treasures lurk within).

Sometimes, though, gifts that appear at odd points in the year are even better. For example, give the gift of subscriptions, and on a regular basis, your gift’s recipient will think of your thoughtfulness.

We offer two subscriptions this year, both for eclectic readers. Smith’s Monthly covers everything from western to time travel (sometimes in the same novel!), science fiction to fantasy, romance to young adult, and fiction to nonfiction—all at varying lengths. Smith’s offers short stories, novels, articles, and poems on a monthly basis. There’s nothing else on the market like it, because Dean Wesley Smith writes the whole thing himself, month in and month out.

Our flagship publication, Fiction River, provides our other subscription offering. Fiction River, a short fiction anthology series, boasts different editors and different genres (sometimes within the same volume!). Major publications from Publisher’s Weekly to RT Book Reviews to Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine have all weighed in with superlatives, calling Fiction River “a treat” with “high quality throughout.” Fiction River provides some of the best short fiction of any genre, perfect for the eclectic reader who loves to discover new writers along with their old favorites.

Subscriptions come with ebook or trade paper options, a few issues or a year’s worth, all with the click of a button.  (or click on a title above),  and choose the right subscription for your favorite reader.

Don’t want to subscribe for that beloved gift recipient? You want to give a more targeted gift? What about a preorder that will arrive on the book’s publication date in 2015? You can send your favorite science fiction fan the first two novels in the Anniversary Day saga to unwrap on Christmas Day (or download to their favorite device). And then you can preorder the next three on Amazon, Kobo, and iTunes. Or preorder the audio books for them. That makes sure the recipient receives a gift in December, January, February, and March.

Still thinking about short fiction, but leery of an entire magazine subscription? Preorder Fiction River: Pulse Pounders, especially the Kobo edition with its three bonus stories, and get that single edition for someone who loves thrills in the short form.

And here’s a secret from the procrastinators on the skeleton crew: You can do all of this with the click of a mouse—and your favorite recipient will get the present in time for the holiday.

Just thought we’d throw out a few suggestions as we plan things here. (And no, Allyson, we’re not shopping from our computers in the office. Honest, we’re not.)