The Dark Wheel is the original Elite novella which was first published as part of the Acornsoft Elite package in 1984. Written by well-known fantasy author Robert Holdstock it describes the quest of Alex Ryder, a newly-qualified pilot, to exact revenge for his father's death at the hands of a paid assassin. Along the way he is assisted by the enigmatic Rafe Zetter who links him up with a fugitive pilot who also wishes to eliminate the killer of Alex's father, but for her own reasons. All in all, a good story which, though spoiled by a few irritating character traits and a number of typographical errors, sets up the Elite universe in a cohesive manner. It also covers the combat and trading sides of Elite and the general nature of trading between different systems, buying what's cheap on one world and selling it wherever the demand is sufficient to keep the price high. Interestingly, the back of the BBC novella states that a sequel was planned for publication in 1985, but as far as I know this never came to fruition. Later editions of The Dark Wheel, included in the Sinclair Spectrum and Commodore 64 versions amongst others, sported new artwork

Stories Of Life On The Frontier was a series of eight linked stories in a booklet entitled Stories Of Life On The Frontier. These stories, written by David Massey, Moira Sheehan and Kathy Dickinson adhered to the Elite/Frontier Universe very closely and the writing is of a high standard. Elements introduced were the concept of a Federal piloting academy, perhaps inspired by Starfleet Academy in Star Trek, and the Cold War of suspicion and espionage between the Federation and the Empire. Also the dubious practices of the slave trading operations are revealed as well as the dangers faced by ordinary pilots on an everyday basis.

Written by Allen Stroud under official license from the creators of, and based in the vast universe of, the seminal space trading computer game Elite: Dangerous.

How do you win a high-stakes game when you don’t even know you’re being played? Competent, driven, broken: Moira Dolan is a talented investigator who buries herself in work to hide from her past. She succeeded, until her brother, Keagan, wrecked her career. Now she works for the Proteus Collective. By night, she’s tormented by the same dream. By day, she’s assigned dead-end cases by Ferris - a boss who seems intent on making her fail. It appears personal, until Keagan goes missing and Ferris’ actions are cast in a whole new light... Moira thinks her latest assignment will have her chasing ghosts between the stars, but instead she uncovers a deadly conspiracy threatening the precarious balance between the galaxy’s major powers, one that could cost billions of lives. If you’re not predator, you’re prey. BACKGROUND What helps make epic space adventures like Isaac Asimov’s Foundation saga, Frank Herbert’s Dune series, Star Wars, and Star Trek so gripping? Setting, amongst others. It is the immense scale, the developed backstory and history, which give characters’ actions meaning and makes for a captivating tale. The most memorable stories are set in universes not just vast in size, but that stretch back through time. One such setting is Elite: Dangerous. Diverse, distinctive, and over thirty years in the making, it provides a rich source of inspiration for any storyteller. SFF fans searching for alternate realities can immerse themselves in 400 billion star systems, 1300 years of future events, and epic space adventures like Out of the Darkness. DETAILS Recommended Reading Age: 14+ Word Count: Over 116,000

Written by Chris Booker, Darren Grey, Tim Gayda, Allen Farr, Lisa Wolf, Ulla Susimetsä, Marko Susimetsä, Rose Thurlbeck, Alexander Saunders, Gareth Bailey, Nicholas Hansen, Ramon Marett, Frederick Burbidge, Matthew Benson and Christopher Jarvis under official license from the creators of, and based in the vast universe of, the seminal space trading computer game Elite: Dangerous. Cover design by Heather Murphy. Orbital scrap yard worker Oliver dreams of exploring the galaxy, but when the return of a long lost friend sparks a terrible disaster, can Oliver deal with some uncomfortable truths about his own life? – A Game of Death Chenoa O’Laundy is on a mission to find her missing father and bring him home safely, but can either of them escape the Calite Corporation, determined to reclaim their property at any cost? – A Question of Intelligence Myles Jarek is a company man on a far flung exploratory mission with a hired crew. Will he be able to return to his previous life or will the Children of Zeus stay with him forever? – Children of Zeus These are three of 15 scintillating tales in this eclectic collection where characters from the Elite universe seek honour, truth, retribution and in one case a place to sell 300 year old Lavian brandy. The Stories Crossing The Line by Chris Booker The Comet's Trail by Darren Grey A Question of Intelligence by Lisa Wolf The Easy Way Out by Ramon Marett The Maledict by Tim Gayda Children of Zeus by Christopher Jarvis Pinacotheca by Alexander G Saunders Blood is Thicker by Ulla Susimetsä Beyond Civilisation by Marko Susimetsä Cat's Cradle by Rose Thurlbeck Nature's Way by Gaz Bailey A Game of Death by Allen L Farr Mission (almost) Completed by Matthew Benson Research Purposes by Fred Burbidge Ode to Betty Cole by Nicholas Hansen and Darren Grey 10% of the proceeds of this book will be donated to Plan who do wonderful work promoting child rights to end child poverty, worldwide.

Written by Kate Russell under official license from the creators of, and based in the vast universe of, the seminal space trading computer game Elite: Dangerous. Commander Angel Rose, forced into a life of crime due to circumstances beyond her control, is determined to survive in the unforgiving void as a professional assassin. Will she be forced into the ignominy of moving back in with her parents when her efforts fail to leave her with credit-earning blood on her hands? After years of galactic travel, could Angel’s destiny be to end up drinking cheap liquor in a bar in Slough… 10% of the proceeds of this book will be donated to Special Effect who have made it their mission to beat physical disability and allow everyone to enjoy playing video games.

Written by Drew Wagar under official license from the creators of, and based in the vast universe of, the seminal space trading computer game Elite: Dangerous. Lady Kahina Loren, born into the Prism system’s powerful ruling family, is desperate to throw off the shackles of her privileged lifestyle and discover herself, but ambition crumbles when she faces death at the hands of the one person she thought she could trust. With the advanced technology of the 3rd millennium, death is not always as final as it seems, but when that technology malfunctions, is death the better option… 10% of the proceeds of this book will be donated to the Ashford Dyslexia Centre, a charity who do wonderful work with sufferers of dyslexia including one to one tuition, workshops and presentations providing tools to maximise potential.

Written by John Harper under official license from the creators of, and based in the vast universe of, the seminal space trading computer game Elite:Dangerous. Robert Garry, ex-military officer, wants nothing more than to maintain his integrity and his team’s safety despite a career change to pirate leader but a cargo freighter he targets proves to be holding much more than he bargained for. Will he escape with his own life, let alone the lives of his crew? He has always shunned the ‘folk hero’ label but is he in danger of becoming an arch villain in the process… 10% of the proceeds of this book will be donated to the Wellington Cancer Society, a local division of a New Zealand wide charity that helps combat cancer with education, prevention, care, support and also runs local projects.

Set in the world of bestselling computer game ELITE, and launched to tie in with the latest version, ELITE: DANGEROUS - a game almost 20 years in the making. One of three very distinct - but subtly linked - novels written by major authors who are fans of the game, this novel will be a must-buy not only for the 25,000+ people who funded the new game on kickstarter, but also for all of those fans of the original game. When a routine bit of piracy goes wrong, the crew of the Song of Stone realise that there's a bounty hunter on their tail. One who might, finally, be able to outclass them. The Dragon Queen is feared across space, and for good reason. But even the bounty hunter doesn't realise what she's been hired to do. Or what is in the container she's been sent to retrieve. And she's not the only hunter in the game... Gavin Deas is the pseudonym used by Stephen Deas and Gavin Smith when writing together.

Set in the world of bestselling computer game ELITE, and launched to tie in with the latest version, ELITE: DANGEROUS - a game almost 20 years in the making. One of three very distinct - but subtly linked - novels written by major authors who are fans of the game, this novel will be a must-buy not only the 25,000+ people who funded the new game on kickstarter, but also for all of those fans of the original game. Two lovers steal a spaceship and go on the run, attacking at random and revelling in the fame and glory their violence brings them. Celebrated by the jaded youth of the Federation and urged on to ever more flashy acts of destruction, they know it won't be long before they are caught and killed. But someone is following the couple. Someone who knows why they are so obsessed with each other. Who knows where they are heading. Who knows why. Someone who knows more about them than they do themselves. And has another plan for their deaths...

Set in the world of bestselling computer game ELITE, and launched to tie in with the latest version, ELITE: DANGEROUS - a game almost 20 years in the making. One of three very distinct - but subtly linked - novels written by major authors who are fans of the game, this novel will be a must-buy not only the 25,000+ people who funded the new game on kickstarter, but also for all of those fans of the original game. On what might be the worst planet in the universe, a young man dreams of the stars. Adventure! Lasers! Women! And the ultimate goal - to become Elite! Unfortunately, Misha has to do his chores first. And learn how to talk to Phoebe, the beautiful customs officer. And leave the planet. But the death of a famous author unexpectedly drags Misha and Phoebe into a system-wide conspiracy, complete with smuggling, international art thieves, multi-system corporations, canapŽs and exploding pigs. This is Misha's chance to prove he has what it takes! After all, surely anyone can be Elite if they dream...