Kate Elliott is the pen name of writer Alis A. Rasmussen. After her first novels, the unique fantasy The Labyrinth Gate and The Highroad science fiction trilogy, failed to become bestsellers, additional publishers liked her manuscripts but wanted a fresh name unconnected with the sales figures of the previous books. Under the new name, starting in 1992, her sales have flourished. Her Crown of Stars trilogy--now a six-part series--has been featured in the Science Fiction Book Club , an indicator of a writer's critical and financial success.

A native of Oregon, she moved to California to attend Mills College. She became active in the Society for Creative Anachronism where she eschewed the more typical image of a medieval Lady and pursued medieval sword fighting . She met her future husband, Jay Silverstein, on the battlefield.

Living in San Jose, California, she and Jay had three children (including twins) while Alis worked on her early novels. When Jay returned to school and pursued a career in archaeology, she found that a novelist could work equally well in various locations around the country and the world. They currently live in Hawaii, where "Kate" continues to produce fantasy and science fiction.

Novels

• As Alis Rasmussen:
  • The Labyrinth Gate fantasy (1988)
  • The Highroad Trilogy science fiction (1990)
    • A Passage of Stars (volume 1)
    • Revolution's Shore (volume 2)
    • The Price of Ransom (volume 3)
• As Kate Elliott:
  • The Crown of Stars fantasy series:
    • King's Dragon (finalist for 1997 Nebula Award for Best Novel)
    • Prince of Dogs
    • The Burning Stone
    • Child of Flame
    • The Gathering Storm
    • The Crown of Stars
  • The Golden Key, an epic collaboration with Melanie Rawn and Jennifer Roberson combining intriguing details of medieval art and politics with believable magical elements; World Fantasy Award finalist for Best Novel of 1996
  • The Jaran science fiction novels:
    • Jaran
    • An Earthly Crown
    • The Conquering Sword
    • The Law of Becoming

External links

Official Kate Elliot web site