This volume collects both essays and fictional material around two core topics in the long career of the Serbian writer, essayist, researcher, publisher and translator. The first topic – first contact – is chiefly represented by his comprehensive essay on The Theme of First Contact in the SF Works of Arthur C. Clarke ** and reflected on the literary level with his short stories The Bookshop ** and The Puzzle. Two shorter essays on the second topic – time travel in SF literature – introduce, amongst others, the well-known and fascinating mosaic novel *Time Gifts* , which skillfully explores the more literary side of the notions of past, present and future. In the annotations the author provides insights into his take on the subjects presented.