Shape & Color Books
Shape & Color Books is a publisher of whatever you can dream up.
The Republic of Letters is excited to announce a new publishing imprint: Shape & Color Books.
We know it’s a jungle out there, we’re here to make the publishing process easier.
More to come in the future as we perfect our process.
Our core beliefs are complete transparency, ease, and, of course, local community.
We are a kind of radical vanity press.
One that seeks to uplift and support its authors as best we can.
One that focuses on local markets and readers.
One that promises to never fleece its authors. We will never ask its authors to purchase boxes upon boxes of their books.
We wanted to make things easier for the authors of our community because we know that there’s a better way than what we all have on offer.
What are books but squiggles onto the void?
And these lovely squiggles? They’re nothing but shape and color.
Shape & Color Books is considering holding a contest every spring. During this time we would be open to submissions for only one month. We would be reading books to publish a year out from our decision. If there’s much interest in this, we will make it a reality.
Naturally, if you do not wish to wait and take your chances with the open reading period, we will publish your book at cost.
Our Books
Robin Williams Is My Uncle: And Other Stories We Possess
Robin Williams Is My Uncle: And Other Stories We Possess is a bricolage study on inherited trauma and the stories we keep inside our bodies.
Robin Williams is not her uncle, no more than he is yours. But like Robin’s humor, this text bounces from one reference to the next. Bound by its own rhythms and joy, the story unravels as it aims to protect itself.
An autotheory about alienation, the uncanny, and epigenetics told through the lens of Robin Williams’s children’s movies, fairy tales, feminism, and the death of her beloved cat, Rufus.
About Us
The Republic of Letters serves Illinois Fox Valley area: including the communities of Saint Charles, Geneva, Batavia, Aurora, Wheaton, Elburn, and beyond.
Get In Touch
info@rolreadlocal.com
(630) 567-5410
©The Republic of Letters 2025