Monday, September 21, 2009

Nonfiction Monday; Thank You, Anastasia Suen!


Nonfiction Monday is just that -- on Monday, reviewing and blogging about nonfiction.

I'm not always organized enough to do Nonfiction Monday. And when I am organized enough to say, "I have a nonfiction book! Schedule it for Monday!" rarely then do I add it to the links at that day's round up host. My list of nonfiction Monday posts is few, but they are there!

Anastasia Suen, author, consultant, teacher, explains all about Nonfiction Monday at her website, Picture Book of the Day Using Picture Books to Teach the Six Traits of Writing. including locations. Kidlitosphere Central has the listing of most of the 2009 locations for Nonfiction Monday. If you're a member of the kidlitosphere listserv, a weekly reminder of location is sent out.

One of the things I like about Nonfiction Monday (and Poetry Friday, which I'll blog about later) is that nobody "owns" them. Yes, Suen started and organized Nonfiction Monday. But she shares it with everyone, even inviting other bloggers to be host. What matters to Suen is not statistics, linkage and glory; what matters is that nonfiction is being highlighted every week, and that Nonfiction Monday is a group effort in that anyone can be part of it, including hosting, which is a fabulous way to get links and get blog exposure.

Suen's first Nonfiction Monday post, on January 14, 2008, was Rough, Tough Charley by Verla Kay, a picture book biography. The first round-up of links from amongst book bloggers was on January 28, making it the first Official Nonfiction Monday Roundup Post.

Last week, the round up was at the blog, Wild About Nature. Today, it's at the Booklist Bookends Blog. What a variety in the blogosphere just between those two blogs, which shows how this is truly for everyone. The only criteria? Blogging. About nonfiction books. And while some people prefer Mr Linky, other prefer to do their round-up "old school," with an individual write up and link for each participant. I used to do that for Poetry Friday; that is love, people, love and dedication and time.

Want to be a part of it? Go for it! Blog about something nonfiction on Monday. See how easy it is? And my own resolution is to when I blog about nonfiction on a Monday, I'll click over to the host and add my link.

© Elizabeth Burns of A Chair, A Fireplace & A Tea Cozy

7 comments:

Susan said...

Liz, I am a Nonfiction Monday fan, too, although lately I have not been organized enough to participate. I've found many titles for my son and others through reading the posts. And that's what it's all about--THE BOOKS! Yay.

Cindy Dobrez said...

Liz, thanks for the great explanation of Nonfiction Monday and for highlighting its originator and organizer, Anastasia Suen. I hadn't yet joined the kidlitosphere listserv, but will head there next.

Anastasia Suen said...

Liz,
Thanks for the great write-up! I really appreciate it!

Jen Robinson said...

Thanks for taking time to write this up, Liz, and introduce new people to Nonfiction Monday. Like you, I'm not all that good about participating (though I too try to remember, when I review a nonfiction title, to save the review for Monday), but I always notice the flutter of nonfiction reviews, and appreciate the energy and dedication that keeps Nonfiction Monday going.

Colleen said...

I love this too - even though I've been very very bad about participating. Anastasia is so awesome though - my son loves her book "Wired". Hopefully I will bring it some new fans when I review it in December (Curious Minds feature for BS).

Doret said...

I don't plan my post ahead, but I always look forward to reading other Nonfiction Monday and Poetry Friday post. Thanks for explaining this how Nonfiction Monday works.

Lynn said...

I'm actually about to post reviews of three of her books tonight on my blog; I didn't realize she had started Nonfiction Monday. Well, you know, I think I did know that when I first started blogging, but I had forgotten. Thanks for the reminder and explanation.