ELDER, Michael (Aiken)

(1931-)

   Scottish actor and writer in various genres, some of whose earlier novels, written in the 1950s, deal with theatrical themes. He began writing sf with Paradise is Not Enough (1970) for ROBERT HALE LIMITED, and thereafter produced a number of fairly routine adventures for that firm. Most notable are the Barclay SPACE-OPERA adventures involving COLONIZATION and its perils: Nowhere On Earth (1972), which also deals with problems of OVERPOPULATION, and its sequels The Perfumed Planet (1973; vt Flight to Terror 1973 US), Down to Earth (1973), The Seeds of Frenzy (1974) and The Island of the Dead (1975). His other connected books are Mindslip (1976) and its sequel Mindquest (1978) and Oil-Seeker (1977) and its sequel Oil-Planet (1978). ME's ambitions do not generally extend beyond entertainment, though a dour DYSTOPIAN bent of thought is sometimes allowed to surface.

   JC

   Other works: The Alien Earth (1971); The Everlasting Man (1972); A Different World (1974); Centaurian Quest (1975); Double Time (1976).