Although Rasmussen's first novels The Labyrinth Gate (1988) and The Highroad (1990) (a 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. Starting in 1992 under the new name of Kate Elliott, her sales have flourished. Crown of Stars series has been featured in the Science Fiction Book Club.

A native of Junction City, Oregon, Rasmussen moved to Oakland, California to attend Mills College. There 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. Rasmussen met her future husband, Jay Silverstein, on the battlefield.

Living in San Jose, California, Rasmussen and Silverstein have three children (including twins). When Silverstein returned to school to pursue a career in archaeology, Rasmussen found that a novelist could work equally well in various locations around the country and the world. They currently live in Hawaii, where "Kate Elliott" continues to produce fantasy and science fiction novels.

As Alis A. Rasmussen

• The Labyrinth Gate fantasy (1988), ISBN 0-671-69793-5
• The Highroad Trilogy science fiction (1990)
• A Passage of Stars (volume 1), ISBN 0-553-28372-3
• Revolution's Shore (volume 2), ISBN 0-553-28544-0
• The Price of Ransom (volume 3), ISBN 0-553-28788-5

As Kate Elliott

• The Spiritwalker Trilogy fantasy series:
• Cold Magic (2010)
• Cold Steel (Forthcoming)
• Untitled Book 3 (Forthcoming)
• Crossroads fantasy series:
• Spirit Gate (2007)
• Shadow Gate (2008)
• Traitor's Gate (2009)
• Crown of Stars fantasy series:
• King's Dragon (1997) (finalist for 1997 Nebula Award for Best Novel)
• Prince of Dogs (1998)
• The Burning Stone (1999)
• Child of Flame (2000)
• The Gathering Storm (2003)
• In the Ruins (Aug 2005)
• The Crown of Stars (Feb 2006)
• 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 Novels of the Jaran science fiction novels:
• Jaran (1992)
• An Earthly Crown (1993)
• His Conquering Sword (1993)
• The Law of Becoming (1994)

Short Stories

• My Voice Is In My Sword
• : Weird Tales from Shakespeare (1994)
• The Memory of Peace
• : Enchanted Forests (1995)
• A Simple Act of Kindness
• : The Shimmering Door (1996)
• With God to Guard Her
• : Return to Avalon (1996)
• The Gates of Joriun
• : Tarot Fantastic (1997)
• Making the World Live Again
• : Zodiac Fantastic (1997)
• Sunseeker
• : 30th Anniversary DAW Books Science Fiction (2002)