Celebrate World UFO Day with Dan Batchelor

Every year on World UFO Day, we lift our eyes to the skies and wonder are we alone? For generations, humans have speculated, dreamed, and feared what might lie beyond our planet. From blurry sightings to dazzling movie scenes, UFOs have ignited our imagination.

One author embracing that curiosity is Dan Batchelor, whose debut YA sci-fi novel Jack Palmer: A New Order was released on 24th June 2025. We’re thrilled to feature a guest post from Dan himself on what UFOs, space travel, and storytelling mean to him:

“Whether you like science fiction or actual science, the idea of exploring the universe is exciting! And you can’t get around the universe without a ship…

The idea of having alien visitors has been a famed Hollywood story for as long as there have been movies. As soon as you open up the idea of the universe the stories are endless!

Science fiction is fun, it’s the unknown, it’s child-like wonder. My story Jack Palmer: A New Order follows that very question. How would humans react to the news that aliens do exist?

Rather than being unidentified, the alien species have reached out to humans. Finally, we are considered worthy enough to know about the secrets beyond our own star. However, not everything is as it seems…

I hope people get a chance to enjoy the story, enjoy reading and enjoy speculating about what that glowing light in the night sky might be… you never know, it might not be a satellite!”
– Dan Batchelor, author of Jack Palmer: A New Order

In Jack Palmer: A New Order, the excitement of first contact quickly spirals into something darker. What begins as a peaceful exchange turns into a chaotic struggle for survival and understanding. Jack Palmer, an ordinary young man, is thrust into extraordinary circumstances as alien diplomacy collapses, and humanity falls under alien rule. The book asks hard questions: Are we really ready for contact? Is our first instinct war or wonder?

But Dan’s story isn’t just about aliens. It’s also about perseverance, representation, and inspiration. A primary school teacher with dyslexia, Dan set out to prove to his students, and himself, that passion can break down any barrier. He says:

“As someone with dyslexia when growing up I did struggle with grammar and spelling, but I never gave up or stopped trying… If I inspire just one person through my story, I’ll be proud.”

Blending thrilling sci-fi with real-world heart, Jack Palmer: A New Order is more than just a YA novel, it’s a testament to imagination, resilience, and what might really be out there, waiting.

So this World UFO Day, take a moment to look up, imagine, and read!