As you all know, the Republic of Letters, like many places, went into hibernation during the covid era. In that time, we have been thinking, pupating, and listening. But, after much ado, I am proud to reveal the Republic of Letters’s new look, and her new modus operandi. 

We are now an online hub for all things local lit in the Fox Valley. We are committed to helping writers get involved in their local writing community, and help the people of the Fox Valley connect with local authors. As such, we’re here to help local authors connect with local readers and other local writers. In other words: with real people.

The Local Author Directory

It’s a huge world out there, and sometimes, even with publication, many books don’t get as much limelight as they deserve. That’s where we come in. We’re here to create and shower as much limelight on our Fox Valley authors as possible. We exist to showcase them. 

Because people love shopping local, they’ll love reading local too. But it’s hard to get out there. Competition for shelf space inside our lovely indie bookstores is somewhat fierce, and paying for advertisements and booths for one author, or for one book, often do not result in sales that even cover the fees. We believe that if we band together as a community, as an easy one-stop-shop for all local authors, we can get those books into the hands of real people in their hometown. 

And now, with the database, local readers and bookclubs can search our Local Authors Directory easily by genre, author, and reviews. The more we fill it, the more robust and diverse our offerings. For instance, we reward engagement. If an author were to pen a review of another local author’s books for our RoL Review, we would pay them in advertisements of their work. 

Water Street Writers

We also sponsor Water Street Writers, a reading series inspired by what once was Waterline Writers, which was called the premiere reading series of the Fox Valley in its day. We hope to echo its stellar reputation as best we can by carrying on many of its traditions, such as hosting our events inside one of the coolest spots in town, Water Street Studios. Their gallleries change every second Friday of the month, making their space always so vibrant and alive. They’ve generously donated this evergreen space to us writers, and we couldn’t be more grateful. So join us each season, as we prouldy present some of the finest literary entertainment in all Chicagoland. 

Our next event is Sunday, November 5th at 5:30pm. The subsequent events will be the first Sundays in February, May, and August.  

We’d, of course, also like to take this opportunity and extend an invitation to anyone who would like to become a Featured Reader with Water Street Writers. Send us your best work at: WaterStreetWriters@rolreadlocal.com. (You do not need to be a member of the Republic of Letters to be a Featured Reader.)

Local Resources

In addition to Water Street Writers, we also promote a variety of workshops, events, classes, editing services, open mics, and discussions groups for the writers in the Fox Valley area. If anyone has something to add to our list of resources, please reach out, we would love to include you!

Thanks a bunch for reading and welcome to the new and improved Republic of Letters! We’re still in beta-mode, so feel free to send us any critique or snafus you may encounter as the humble plug-in attempts to balance this very specific kind of registry. So, please, have a look around, and if you’re interested, be sure to lock in these early bird prices. 

Holiday Catalogue

And as a token of our excitement, we’re offering a special to get into our Local Author Holiday Catalogue for free! Just send us a brief bio, any websites or social media handles, link(s) to purchase your book(s), author photo, and any applicable book cover photos (limit 3 for non-members). If you are already a member, you are entitled to a full page entry. This catalogue will be shared all around the internet in the hopes that we can drum up more local interest in local books if we all band together! *Next year this will be a service only offered to members.

Thanks a bunch for reading,

Cathy Borders

Photo credit to Sorellina, one of our old favorites from once upon a time.