Amtrak Residency Program Selects Writers

Long-distance train journeys to spark creativity

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Jul 14, 2016, 10:00 ET

WASHINGTON, July 14, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- During the next year, selected members of the literary community will travel on Amtrak routes that crisscross the country and spend the time working on their writing projects, providing a unique journey and workspace as part of the #AmtrakResidency program.

This is the second group of writers selected for the program, which offers a travel experience with amazing scenery, an environment that fosters engaging connections, and the ability to explore and be inspired by the diversity of landscapes America has to offer.

The Empire Builder travels daily between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest along major portions of the Lewis and Clark trail, and takes customers on an exciting adventure through majestic wilderness, following the footsteps of early pioneers.

"We are excited to build on the success of the residency program and offer a second group of writers a creative environment to focus on the work of their choice," said Julia Quinn, Amtrak director of public relations. "Whether traveling for business or pleasure, passenger rail helps travelers avoid the frustrations and hurdles associated with other modes of transportation – continuously making Amtrak the smarter way to travel, which we are confident the writers will find inspiring."

A diverse group of writers were selected for the residency program. About two writers per month will travel round trip on pre-selected (based on availability) trains, and cover all 15 of Amtrak's long-distance routes. A complete list of selected residents and bios can be found on the Amtrak blog.

Applications were reviewed by a panel representing the literary community including published writers and former Amtrak Residents Lindsay Moran and Jeffrey Stanley, Amtrak Senior Vice President of Government Affairs & Corporate Communications Joe McHugh and writer and teacher Jessica Gross.

Gross, a Manhattan-based writer, traveled on the Lake Shore Limited as a trial run of the residency program and her support spurred the launch of the formal program in March 2014.

Her piece, "Writing The Lake Shore Limited" was published by the Paris Review.

"My 2014 Amtrak residency from New York to Chicago and back was peaceful, contemplative, and so fruitful for my writing," Gross said. "I'm delighted to have played a part in sending a new crop of writers on the rails this year."

For more information on Amtrak and the Amtrak Writer's Residency experience, visit blog.amtrak.com or follow #AmtrakResidency.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160714/389623

SOURCE Amtrak