After much anticipation, cross-country train operator Amtrak has released the details of their writer residency program. After author Alexander Chee remarked in an interview that his favorite place to write was onboard a train, Amtrak announced that it would consider a residency program, in which writers could take a free trip, and use the time to put pen to paper. After a few weeks of ironing out the details, the new program has officially left the station. Despite some confusion over the terms of service (Amtrak will keep the rights to writing samples used in the application process, not the actual materiel written during the residency), the program is off to a big start: Since #AmtrakResidency started accepting applications last week, more than 7,000 prospective riders have applied for a spot—though only 24 will be invited to participate this year …
