Just when you go and think you can't love Pilot Books any more, they go and introduce the idea of "Micro-Residencies." Here's the e-mail:

Introducing an experimental micro-residency program for writers who want to work and write chez Pilot Books. Each receives a stipend, access to brainfulls of reading material, and hours of writing time punctuated by light literary conversation and the occasional sales transaction. Pilot Books will then publish the author-resident's new poetry, prose, fiction, or comics in a limited edition chapbook series, "FINANCIALS."

One-day ($80) and two-day ($160) residencies are available:

July 4
July 10-11
July 18
July 24-25
August 7-8
August 21-22
August 28
September 4-5

To apply, please send samples of your work to pilot@pilotbooksseattle.com. The more innovative the better. You may also include a short bio, statement of intention, or whatever you think might help your case. We're accepting submissions until all dates have been filled, so you might not want to procrastinate.

This is a great way for a local bookstore to give something back to Seattle's writing community. I knew there was a reason we shortlisted Pilot Books owner Summer Robinson for a Genius Award. I'll be keeping an eye on this program as it develops.