Type design and feminist scholarship are coming together in a substantial new publication. Alphabettes Soup: Feminist Approaches to Type, a comprehensive 400-page volume weighing in at 2.4 pounds, has officially been printed and bound, marking a significant milestone for its contributors and the broader global typography community.
The physical production of the book reached completion on April 1 at Gráfica Maiaduoro in Portugal. Following the print run, the project celebrated its realization with a trip to sunny Porto, where the first finished copy was held up by members of the creative team alongside the next generation of readers. Shortly after, on Thursday, April 2, a lively soft launch was hosted at the headquarters of Bikini Books. Drawing a crowd of over forty attendees, the intimate gathering featured book sales, author and contributor signings, and the initial public unveiling of a project years in the making.
The striking publication features a bright green cover accented by a large, intricate letter "A" constructed from a mosaic of smaller characters and glyphs, establishing its thematic focus on typographic diversity and inclusion from the very first glance. Inside, the pages delve deeply into intersectional, feminist perspectives on the historically male-dominated field of type design and typography.
From Portuguese Presses to a Global Stage
While the soft launch in Porto offered an enthusiastic preview, Alphabettes Soup is preparing for a high-profile official launch at the upcoming Typographics Festival in New York City. Scheduled for June 26–27, the festival will serve as a major platform for the book, where key figures behind the project are slated to speak. Furthermore, copies will be made available for purchase directly at the festival’s dedicated book fair.
For those eager to secure a copy before the New York launch, the book is currently available for order through Draw Down Books, a well-known distributor of independent design publications. In addition to online ordering, a robust series of international events, lectures, and symposiums has been organized across multiple cities, offering readers and design enthusiasts a chance to acquire the book in person and engage directly with its creators.
International Events and Tour Stops
The global rollout of Alphabettes Soup spans several continents, bringing conversations about feminism in type design to universities, independent publishers, and international conferences.
The tour kicked off its academic and public appearances with a prominent stop in Portland, Oregon, on Tuesday, May 12. The event featured a lecture by Tereza Bettinardi, the designer of Alphabettes Soup, as part of the Portland State University Graphic Design (PSUGD) Matthias Kemeny Design Lecture Series, with books supplied by Volumes Design Library.
Moving across the Atlantic, the itinerary includes a stop in Brussels, Belgium, on May 26. Contributors will participate in the "Without A Center, With Many" symposium organized by Garine Gokceyan. The research seminar, which requires free registration, highlights collective and decentralized approaches to design culture.
The following day, on May 27, the tour shifts to Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Independent platform PrintRoom will host an event featuring Nina Paim alongside virtual participation from Amy Papaelias, bringing together several voices from the book’s roster of contributors.
Simultaneously, the typography community will gather at ATypI Stanford from May 27 to May 30. During the renowned conference, the historic Letterform Archive will handle the sale of Alphabettes Soup copies to attendees from around the world.
Heading into June, Berlin will host the next major gathering on June 12. A-Z Presents will feature Nina Paim and various book contributors for Countersession #8, offering local designers an opportunity to discuss the themes explored in the publication.
Finally, the international tour culminates in New York City on June 26 and 27 for the Typographics Festival. Amy Papaelias and fellow contributors will take part in festival programming, anchoring the official public launch alongside the aforementioned book fair presence.
Organizers have emphasized that the current schedule is only the beginning. Communities, academic institutions, and independent bookstores interested in hosting their own Alphabettes Soup launch events or discussions are encouraged to reach out to the editorial team directly to coordinate future gatherings.
