Follow @karenrobertson
Welcome!
I’m Karen Robertson, a children’s author who turned my children’s book, Treasure Kai and the Lost Gold of Shark Island, into a book app for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch.
Here you’ll find my blog, where I share with you how I did it, how it’s going and how I’m creating a global brand for “Treasure Kai” using digital technology, and you can access resources like my free report, eBook (Author’s Guide to Book Apps), training guide, How to Market a Book App and more.
I created this site after hearing from so many other writers who are interested in publishing options for their stories. So please feel free to send me your questions.
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Latest News
My new training guide is here! “How to Market a Book App” available now.
Video Interview about Book Apps ! If you want to know more about book apps right away, check out the video interview I did with Jon Ward of Children’s Book Insider’s Write4Kids TV. It’s a 26 minute interview and is a terrific overview of creating book apps. Click here to watch the interview.
Radio Interview about Book Apps: Recorded February 7, 2012 with Paula Kampf on Publishing Insiders Radio and Author Marketing Experts, this call is Book Apps 101! Be sure to check out this blog post for links to resources mentioned in the interview.
SCBWI BTP Expressions Online newsletter readers: Visit my blog to read my full article referenced in the newsletter on November 2, 2011.
SCBWI September/October International Bulletin: Check out the article I wrote on page 14!
April 3, 2012 – Children’s Book Council of Australia NSW Anticipate! Appreciate! Applaud! event guest speaker presenting, ”eBooks, Book Apps, Egad! What’s the Fuss and Why Should We Care?” To learn more about the CBCA NSW AAA event and to book, visit http://nsw.cbca.org.au/news.php/4/anticipate-appreciate-applaud
I taught a one-day workshop, “How to Create and Market a Book App” for the Australian Society of Authors on March 16th to a booked-out room. The quality of projects I saw inspired me!
I attended the Storyworld Conference in San Francisco Oct 31-Nov 2 where I presented our “Treasure Kai” project as part of the Showcase presentations of transmedia storytelling projects in development. Here’s a video of that 5-minute showcase presentation.
We had to bring in more chairs when I spoke at the Brisbane Children and Young Adult Writer’s Festival on September 10th and the NSW Children’s and Young Adult Literature Festival on June 25 in Sydney. Click here for more information.
Testimonials
“Karen’s enthusiasm and passion are infectious and it was great to be able to share my vision with someone who gets it! Karen’s practical advice and real-life experiences during the planning stages of my app project have been invaluable. I’m looking forward to more fun-filled, energetic and inspiring sessions as my concept becomes a reality!”
Janeece Keller, (writer and coaching client)
“Karen’s advice, insight and encouragement have had a huge effect on the production and development of my first interactive iPad book app! Reading her “Author’s Guide to Book Apps” was the spark that ignited the flames of possibility for my husband and I when we had the initial idea for our project. I emailed Karen to thank her for writing the e-book, and right away she suggested that we talk on Skype to brainstorm ideas for my app – her friendly and enthusiastic nature made me feel like I had known her for years. A few weeks later we met in person, and I knew that I had found not only my mentor, but a great friend. Karen lends her expert advice in a simple, straightforward and easy to understand way. I am impressed that she constantly updates and shares all sorts of useful information in the field of not only creating, but marketing book apps for children. I highly recommend working with Karen, and reading her latest e-book “How to Market a Book App”, which has a wealth of tips, tricks and statistics on how to get your app into the hands of readers. When looking for someone to guide you through the many different ways of making a book app, work with someone who has done it already! Someone who already has contacts to other developers, reviewers, and people in the know. That someone is Karen Robertson. Thank you Karen for your ongoing support & belief in our app!”
Emily Connell, Jumble Bugs, Inc. (toy designer and coaching client)
” I have found Karen Robertson’s Author’s Guide to Book Apps invaluable while working through the process. Thanks, Karen!”
Ellen Senisi, Author of “Hurray for Pre-K!” Book App
“Reading Karen’s ebooks was one of the best things I ever did. They are so informative and inspiring. I know I would never have created a storybook app if I hadn’t read her books first.”
Nina Lim – author and creator of Super Harry HD
“Your talk last night was super. Here are some of the points that I thought made it that way: 1) You were right on top of the APP issues. 2) You expressed how terrible you were with computers (because I think most of us are scared of jumping in so you put us at ease) 3) You had great show and tells 4) you have fought the battle we’re all fighting and you are seeing the light of day, giving us all hope the sun does shine up there through the haze. 5) You were honest and straightforward about the market and what we could expect 6) You answered all the questions openly and lighted up a new pathway because most of us are very apprehensive about the coming ebook market. 7)Finally, you were enthusiastic about what you’re doing. Enthusiasm inflames. Well done.”
Mark Thomason, Author
” I can’t tell you how helpful all of this information has been and how great of you to share all of your experience! I have been researching this all on my own since April and finally felt some relief when I accidentally stumbled across your book. Wow, saved me tons of time researching!!”
Nicole Fonovich, President of Lucas Lashes Partnership
“Karen, wow! What a mother lode of phenomenal information! You really have your finger on the pulse…I’ve been doing a lot of searching and while there is a lot of info available for eBooks and how to make them, there’s not much out there for those of us who are in children’s publishing and want to go beyond just creating a digital version of “text” or even text simply accompanied by some illustrations. Yikes! hooray! And thank you!”
Karen Fredericks, Writer and Illustrator
“Karen is not only a model of success as an app developer, she is the consultant who can design a strategy of success for new app developers. She teaches the basics of the app development business, insuring that your foundation is solid. She advises as you develop your app, careful not to impose on your creativity, yet helping you to avoid mistakes. She encourages you to find your niche, often recognizing your talents before you do. And from step one, she is having you think, decide, and develop your platform for marketing with Social Media.”
Cyndie Sebourne, Writer, Teacher and Coaching Client
