Poet Truong Tran Will Release New Memoir
The San Francisco resident debuts his latest book, How to Exi(s)t, at a launch event on October 18.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Books
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Poet and professor Truong Tran will release his ninth book, How to Exi(s)t: A Poet's Memoir, on October 20, 2026. Ahead of the publication, Tran will host a book launch event at City Lights Bookstore in San Francisco on October 18, 2026.
Why it matters
The memoir offers a personal look at the author's encounters with racism, heterosexism, and neurodivergence. Tran frames the work as a series of pieces detailing his navigation of these challenges in both his personal and professional life.
The memoir spans 240 pages in total length. This release follows the author's prior literary work, including the 2021 publication of Book of the Other.
The players
Truong Tran
He is a poet and English professor at Northeastern University in Oakland.
Garrett Caples
He is an editor who will serve as a conversation partner for the book launch.
City Lights Bookstore
This is a historic independent bookstore located in San Francisco.
The details
Truong Tran wrote the book as a collection of pieces reflecting on his life experiences and professional career. He will be joined by editor Garrett Caples as a conversation partner for the upcoming launch at City Lights Bookstore.
Timeline
Tran left Saigon with his family in the 1970s.
The author moved to the Haight Ashbury neighborhood in 2002.
Tran published his book titled Book of the Other in 2021.
A book launch event is scheduled for October 18, 2026, at City Lights Bookstore.
The official publication date for the memoir is October 20, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This release arrives as regional institutions, such as the California College of the Arts, prepare for significant operational changes by 2027. The book contributes to a local literary culture that recently celebrated the 2026 Pulitzer Prize in poetry win by Juliana Spahr.
Readers can attend the author's book launch event on October 18 to hear a discussion between Tran and editor Garrett Caples. The memoir will be available for general purchase through standard book retail channels starting October 20.
The takeaway
The memoir serves as a reflective account of Tran's experiences as a professor and poet. Readers interested in contemporary memoirs may find this work a significant addition to current discourse on identity and neurodivergence.
Further reading
For more news on local literary releases, visit the Books section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Local News Matters.
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