Arlington, October 4, 2025
News Summary
The inaugural Foreword Literary Festival, hosted by Four Palaces Publishing, will take place over four days, focusing on Vietnamese American literature and the arts. Headlined by authors Truong Tran and Andrew Lam, the festival will include workshops, readings, and discussions to foster diverse perspectives. All events will be free with registration, emphasizing representation for marginalized voices in literature. The festival runs alongside the launch of FPP’s new anthology, ‘When Home Hurts: Solastalgia,’ commemorating the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.
Arlington
Frederick Tran (they/them/chanh) is the executive director of Four Palaces Publishing (FPP) and has announced the inaugural Foreword Literary Festival, scheduled to take place from October 8 to October 11. The four-day event will focus on Vietnamese American literature and the arts, will occur across three different venues, and all events at the festival are free with registration. The festival coincides with the launch of FPP’s new anthology, “When Home Hurts: Solastalgia.”
Top-line details
The festival aims to provide new viewpoints and foster discussions among authors, coordinators, and attendees. Tran selected headlining authors Truong Tran and Andrew Lam to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. Lam and Truong Tran are highlighting intersecting themes of queerness and Vietnamese American heritage at the festival.
Program and featured events
The Bountiful Harvest Reading Series will kick off the festival at UT Arlington with readings, followed by a Q&A and book signing. Andrew Lam’s workshop, “Letter Writing as Personal Essay,” aims to reconnect participants with the art of letter writing. Lam has authored three books and contributed to various media outlets, including NPR and Huffington Post. Truong Tran will conduct a workshop titled “The Imagination of Memories, or How To Exit(s)” focusing on personal histories. Truong Tran is the author of seven poetry collections and teaches creative writing and visual art.
Purpose and organizing background
Four Palaces Publishing was co-founded by Tran and managing editor Emily Townsend in response to the hashtag #WhatPublishingPaidMe, which highlighted inequities in publishing for BIPOC writers. Since its launch, FPP has focused on publishing marginalized authors and addressing diversity challenges in major publishing houses. The festival aligns with that mission and seeks to increase representation and open discussion around identity, memory, and craft.
Community response and outreach
The festival has received positive responses for its aim of providing representation to queer voices in literature. Both authors discuss the role of their queerness in their writing, describing the influence of their identities on their stories. Frederick Tran expresses enthusiasm for the literary culture in Dallas, noting the community’s openness and engagement with storytelling. All events at the festival are free with registration, and More information and registration for the festival can be found at ForeWordLitFest.com.
Logistics and access
The first Foreword Literary Festival will take place from October 8 to October 11 across three different venues. Attendance to sessions requires registration. The Bountiful Harvest Reading Series will kick off the festival at UT Arlington; subsequent events and workshops will be held at two additional venues. All events at the festival are free with registration.
Context
The selection of Truong Tran and Andrew Lam as headliners ties the festival to a historical moment: the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The festival also debuts FPP’s new anthology, “When Home Hurts: Solastalgia,” which fits the publisher’s stated focus on marginalized and underrepresented voices.
FAQ
Q: Who is the executive director of Four Palaces Publishing (FPP)?
A: Frederick Tran (they/them/chanh) is the executive director of Four Palaces Publishing (FPP).
Q: When will the Foreword Literary Festival take place?
A: The first Foreword Literary Festival will take place from October 8 to October 11.
Q: What will the festival feature?
A: It will feature a four-day celebration of Vietnamese American literature and the arts.
Q: Are there costs to attend?
A: All events at the festival are free with registration.
Q: How many venues will host the festival?
A: The festival will occur across three different venues.
Q: Why was Four Palaces Publishing founded?
A: Tran co-founded FPP with managing editor Emily Townsend in response to the hashtag #WhatPublishingPaidMe, which highlighted inequities in publishing for BIPOC writers.
Q: What is FPP’s focus since its launch?
A: Since its launch, FPP has focused on publishing marginalized authors and addressing diversity challenges in major publishing houses.
Q: Does the festival connect to any new publication?
A: The festival coincides with the launch of FPP’s new anthology, “When Home Hurts: Solastalgia.”
Q: Who are the headlining authors?
A: Tran selected headlining authors Truong Tran and Andrew Lam to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the fall of Saigon.
Q: What themes will the headliners highlight?
A: Lam and Truong Tran are highlighting intersecting themes of queerness and Vietnamese American heritage at the festival.
Q: What will the opening reading series include?
A: The Bountiful Harvest Reading Series will kick off the festival at UT Arlington with readings, followed by a Q&A and book signing.
Q: What workshops are scheduled?
A: Andrew Lam’s workshop, “Letter Writing as Personal Essay,” aims to reconnect participants with the art of letter writing. Truong Tran will conduct a workshop titled “The Imagination of Memories, or How To Exit(s)” focusing on personal histories.
Q: What are the authors’ credentials?
A: Lam has authored three books and contributed to various media outlets, including NPR and Huffington Post. Truong Tran is the author of seven poetry collections and teaches creative writing and visual art.
Q: How have audiences reacted?
A: The festival has received positive responses for its aim of providing representation to queer voices in literature.
Q: Where can attendees find more information?
A: More information and registration for the festival can be found at ForeWordLitFest.com.
Key features
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 8 to October 11 |
| Scope | Four-day celebration of Vietnamese American literature and the arts |
| Cost | All events at the festival are free with registration |
| Venues | The festival will occur across three different venues; Bountiful Harvest Reading Series will kick off the festival at UT Arlington |
| Headliners | Truong Tran and Andrew Lam |
| Workshops | Andrew Lam: “Letter Writing as Personal Essay”; Truong Tran: “The Imagination of Memories, or How To Exit(s)” |
| Publisher | Four Palaces Publishing (FPP), co-founded by Frederick Tran and Emily Townsend |
| Anthology | “When Home Hurts: Solastalgia” |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Dallas Voice: Reading Rainbows
- Dallas News: Taylor Sheridan’s Foreword
- Wikipedia: Vietnamese American Literature
- Google Search: Vietnamese American Literature
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Vietnamese American
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
