STOKED to announce this program from Matador’s new partner, Amtrak.

Directly from the #AMTRAKRESIDENCY page:

#AMTRAKRESIDENCY

#AmtrakResidency was designed to allow creative professionals who are passionate about train travel and writing to work on their craft in an inspiring environment. Round-trip train travel will be provided on an Amtrak long-distance route. Each resident will be given a private sleeper car, equipped with a desk, a bed and a window to watch the American countryside roll by for inspiration. Routes will be determined based on availability.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed by a panel. Up to 24 writers will be selected for the program starting March 17, 2014 through March 31, 2015. A passion for writing and an aspiration to travel with Amtrak for inspiration are the sole criteria for selection. Both emerging and established writers will be considered.

Residencies will be anywhere from 2-5 days, with exceptions for special projects.

The program actually has a cool backstory, with a test-run done by Manhattan-based writer Jessica Gross, whose travel piece, Writing The Lakeshore Limited came out in the The Paris Review last month. In the time since, a huge support for the program has built across social media with #AmtrakResidency being featured in The Wire, The New Yorker, and Huffington Post. Hoping to follow some innovative travel and place-based writing from this, and would love to see other transport-based “residencies” emerge. It’s a killer idea.