Grab a spoon and get ready for some major updates from the typography community. Alphabettes Soup: Feminist Approaches to Type, a substantial new volume exploring gender, equity, and critical perspectives in type design, has officially come off the press and is making its way into the hands of readers, designers, and typographic historians worldwide.
On April 1, the 400-page, 2.4-pound hardcover book was printed and bound at Gráfica Maiaduoro in Porto, Portugal. The production marks a major milestone for the project, bringing years of collective research, dialogue, and advocacy into a tangible, beautifully crafted physical object. The author journeyed to the sunny Portuguese city accompanied by her daughter to witness the historic moment firsthand, holding the very first finished copy of the heavy, comprehensive volume.
The excitement continued immediately following the print run. On Thursday, April 2, a vibrant soft launch event was held at the headquarters of Bikini Books. Drawing a crowd of more than forty typography enthusiasts, designers, and supporters, the gathering offered the public its very first opportunity to see, purchase, and have their copies signed. The intimate celebration set an enthusiastic tone for the book’s broader global rollout, giving the creative team a thrilling platform to share the project with the world for the very first time.
For those eager to secure a copy ahead of the official summer festival debuts, the book is currently available for purchase through Draw Down Books. Additionally, a series of international events, lectures, and academic gatherings has been scheduled across multiple continents, offering readers numerous opportunities to engage with contributors, hear about the editorial process, and purchase physical copies in person.
The extensive international event calendar kicks off in the Pacific Northwest. On Tuesday, May 12, Portland State University Graphic Design (PSUGD) will host the Matthias Kemeny Design Lecture Series featuring Tereza Bettinardi, the designer behind Alphabettes Soup. Attendees at the Portland lecture will be able to purchase copies of the book distributed locally by Volumes Design Library.
Later in the month, the tour moves to Europe. On May 26, Brussels, Belgium, will host the "Without A Center, With Many" symposium. Organized by Garine Gokceyan, the research seminar will feature several contributors to Alphabettes Soup. While attendance at the Brussels symposium is free, advance registration is required for participants wishing to attend the sessions.
The following day, on May 27, the tour stops in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Independent art space and publisher PrintRoom will host an event featuring Nina Paim alongside virtual participation from Amy Papaelias, highlighting insights from several book contributors. Further details regarding the Rotterdam program are expected to be announced soon.
Simultaneously, the typography community will gather for the ATypI conference in Stanford, California, running from May 27 to May 30. During the conference, the renowned Letterform Archive will make physical copies of Alphabettes Soup available for purchase directly to attendees and visiting researchers.
As the summer progresses, the launch tour moves to Germany. On June 12, Berlin will host Countersession #8, presented by A-Z Presents. The event will feature Nina Paim alongside various contributors to the publication, with additional schedule and participation details forthcoming.
The official flagship launch of Alphabettes Soup is scheduled for late June in New York City. The book will take center stage at the prestigious Typographics Festival, running from June 26 to June 27, where several contributors are honored to be speaking. In addition to festival presentations led by Amy Papaelias and fellow contributors, physical copies of the book will be sold directly at the Typographics Book Fair.
The community-driven nature of the publication means that the event schedule continues to evolve. Organizers, academic institutions, and independent book spaces interested in hosting or organizing a local event, reading, or discussion dedicated to Alphabettes Soup are encouraged to reach out directly to coordinate future gatherings.
