So a while back, some writer tweeted about how it would be awesome to have a free train ride on Amtrak for the sole purpose of punching out words.
Amtrak saw it, and guess what? They gave the writer a free trip!
Soon Twitter (and other social media sites) were bounding with comments of “I want one too!” and “This would be awesome if this was a thing!”
And you know, it would be awesome.
If it wasn’t going to cost you an (unexpected) arm and leg.
And you definitely don’t want to be left picking up the pieces of your life after you realize you not only cost yourself, but your family.
No, I’m not sorry for the blatant Fullmetal Alchemist love. Because the example really fits.
‘Cause you see… Amtrak is asking for way more than they’re giving in return.
6. Grant of Rights: In submitting an Application, Applicant hereby grants Sponsor the absolute, worldwide, and irrevocable right to use, modify, publish, publicly display, distribute, and copy Applicant’s Application, in whole or in part, for any purpose, including, but not limited to, advertising and marketing, and to sublicense such rights to any third parties.
Emphasis mine. But this is word-for-word the first sentence of the 6th clause of the Amtrak Residency Official Terms.
This is not the only thing they ask for when you apply for the residency, but it just might be the worst. Other expectations include: background checks, an acknowledgment that gasp Amtrak employees may come up with identical ideas to what you submit in your application.
Similar ideas I can believe. I read books similar to ideas I’ve had all the time.
But identical? Seriously?
Also, you don’t have to actually be chosen for a residency for these things to apply to you. If you submit an application, you have still given up these rights to ANY of the information (or the writing sample) that you submit to them.
So, as I said on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/RebekahLoper/status/442746888526123009
Other Reading:
The Amtrak Residency: Why I Think This is a Terrible Idea for a Writer
Marriage Vows Don’t Always Last Forever. But #AmtrakResidency’s Rights to Your Work Would.
Rebecca Enzor
March 11, 2014 - 4:32 pm ·I knew that program had to be too good to be true. Glad I didn’t try to sign up.
Rebekah Loper
March 12, 2014 - 4:29 pm ·It’s sad that these things are so predictable. More people want to take advantage of writers than make sure they get something out of an activity. :/
Patricia Lynne (@plynne_writes)
March 11, 2014 - 6:41 pm ·Hmm, I can’t say I’m really surprised at this turn of events. Good thing I get motion sick and can’t write in moving vehicles, so it was never an option for me.
Rebekah Loper
March 12, 2014 - 4:30 pm ·I’ve never actually tried to write in a moving vehicle, because I’m usually driving it. Motion sickness sucks, though.
heylookawriterfellow
March 13, 2014 - 11:09 am ·Dang. I was considering this. Thanks for the heads up!
Eris O'Reilly
March 17, 2014 - 9:23 am ·I know that most things that sound good usually have some sort of catch to them, but it seems like all the writer related things have terrible catches. 🙁 What is it with people who attempt to take advantage of writers?
LadyJai
March 17, 2014 - 9:57 am ·You’re spot on Rebekah! Here’s Writer Beware’s blog about just that…
http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2014/03/rights-concerns-amtrak-residency-program.html
brennabraaten
March 18, 2014 - 5:38 pm ·I heard about the writing residency, but I had no idea about this! It makes me so sad, because the idea sounded really cool. But I guess, too good to be true, right? Also, never apologize for FMA references. 🙂