Amtrak’s Writing Residency

Posted on March 8, 2014 by kingmidget

I’m pretty sure this is on the list of coolest things I’ve ever heard of. Amtrak is in the process of developing a writing residency program. While they’re still ironing out the details, the program is going to look something like this. Amtrak has 15 long distance routes — they want writers on each route, riding for free, writing while they’re on the train. There will be some requirements — like using social media to tell the world about it while in the “residency.” But, still … can you imagine?

Spending a few days on a train, traveling across the country for free and spending all of those hours writing, blogging, and tweeting. I know I’ll be applying as soon as the applications go live. Who is with me?

[Edited to Add: The application is now up. And, yes, my application has been submitted.]

About kingmidget

About the name. I was the youngest of four. Until I got to kindergarten, I didn't have much to say. All I had to do to get what I wanted was to point, and a sibling, or loving parent, would fulfill my request. As a result, my father coined the nickname -- King Midget. At least that's the way the story goes. I am a father, husband, friend, and lover, writer, runner, pizza maker, baker, and many other things. What I am not is my occupation. It is my job that pays the bills and provides for my family. But, it does not define me.

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4 Responses to Amtrak’s Writing Residency

Trent Lewin says:

March 8, 2014 at 7:33 pm

That is cool – and glad you submitted an application for this. The family life just wouldn’t let me participate (although hanging out with you on a train over some beers and talking writing – that’s the stuff of dreams right there). Do you need a reference or anything for the application? I’d be happy to throw in.

Reply
- kingmidget says:
  
  March 9, 2014 at 6:34 pm
  
  There isn’t a place on the application for references, otherwise …
  
  When my kids were younger, this probably wouldn’t have been possible for me either, although I did take a “writing vacation” every now and then.
  
  We will definitely need to find that opportunity for beers and conversation somewhere along the way. I think Amtrak should try to turn the program into a group Residency rather than a solo traveler effort. Think about it … throw together four or five writers and have them discuss their writing, work on their writing, and blog about it on a three or four day train trip. That might be interesting. Or a complete catastrophe.
  
  Reply
  - Trent Lewin says:
    
    March 9, 2014 at 7:41 pm
    
    I think that could be an interesting catastrophe… and so much fun. I dream of sitting down and talking about writing… and on a train, that would be wonderful, seeing things move around you. Now you got me dreaming…
sknicholls says:

March 8, 2014 at 10:19 pm

I hope you get selected. I read about that and thought it would be one of the coolest experiences ever.

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