Karenann E. Knotoff grew up on the south shore of Long Island.  As a young child and adult her summers were spent at the beach where her love for the sea grew.  She now shares her passion with her two young children.  She currently lives with her husband and two children not more than five minutes from where she spent her childhood.

Karenann began writing at the age of eight. At the age of fifteen, she proudly and successfully wrote "This Wizard of Ours", a musical, for her highschool drama club at the request of her English Literature teacher. She was also the recipient of awards including several from the Suffolk County Writing Council. Many of her works, including poetry, were published in highschool and college newspapers and magazines.  Most of her stories reflect her love of water, her imagination and many adventures of her childhood.  The Island of Rouge is her first published book.

 Karenann is currently a member of Long Island Children's Writer's and Illustrators Group (LICWI), as well as the Society of Children's Book Writer's and Illustrators (SCBWI).