Writers Wanted - An Update, And A Warning

Bertel Schmitt
by Bertel Schmitt

The echo to Writers Wanted was is phenomenal. 22 applications poured in so far, and they still keep coming. I quickly looked over them. Some are good, real good. Some are real funny. Some are funny, even if they are not trying to be funny. YOU will decide who makes the grade.

The submissions not only say a lot about the writing style, they also say a little about the working style. Writers Wanted laid out what we would like to see in a submission. If you are a really super-hot stuntman of a writer, you can break all the rules and just blow them away with your wit. If you are more a Toyota-style of a writer, you check all boxes and convince them with your professionalism and your attention to detail. The absolutely best of course is a super-heated writer genius that also checks all boxes – a very rare occasion, but it happens. Their road to riches is wide open. Never in journalism – ad agencies look for that type, and if he is mean-spirited enough, he can become an ad executive. Ask me how I know.

It is not only that many people like you, the readers, want to write for TTAC – thank you. You, the readers will also decide who will finally write for TTAC. It is in your hands, B&B, choose carefully.

Beginning tomorrow and running throughout TTAC’s Future Writers Week, we will give you anonymized short samples of each writer, and an opportunity to vote. The top votes will become TTAC writers. (If they still want after this ordeal.) Even if one is not chosen by TTAC’s B&B, there still is as chance to make the grade. TTAC’s Editors will choose their own Editors’ Choice.

Asking friends, families, or Twitter and Facebook friends to stuff the ballot boxes on your behalf of course is strictly verboten, and will result in instant disqualification if we find out. But then, getting away with it is one of the ingredients of a good journalist.

Bertel Schmitt
Bertel Schmitt

Bertel Schmitt comes back to journalism after taking a 35 year break in advertising and marketing. He ran and owned advertising agencies in Duesseldorf, Germany, and New York City. Volkswagen A.G. was Bertel's most important corporate account. Schmitt's advertising and marketing career touched many corners of the industry with a special focus on automotive products and services. Since 2004, he lives in Japan and China with his wife <a href="http://www.tomokoandbertel.com"> Tomoko </a>. Bertel Schmitt is a founding board member of the <a href="http://www.offshoresuperseries.com"> Offshore Super Series </a>, an American offshore powerboat racing organization. He is co-owner of the racing team Typhoon.

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  • Mattsterzz Mattsterzz on Jan 21, 2013

    I wouldn't mind doing an Australian Junkyard series, or be an Australian correspondent. I'm 16 though....This is my favourite site on the net in my opinion.

    • Danio3834 Danio3834 on Jan 21, 2013

      Do it. I was once in talks with a gentleman in Oz about a straight up trade. My '77 Camaro LT 4spd for his Falcon XB. It turned out we couldn't figure out a reasonable way to do the shipping, so it didn't work out. But man would that have been cool.

  • Thomas Kreutzer Thomas Kreutzer on Jan 21, 2013

    @ MattsterZZ - Get your camera out, take the photos and be sure to write articles that each us about the various cars you are showing us. As an American, I would love to read something like this, I can guarantee I would learn something new each time you posted. Get it all together and then submit it. Whether you win this contest or not, I am sure they editors here would run something as original and enjoyable as what you are proposing. Who cares if you are 16 years old? It's the internet and no one can see you. Get started now, the future will be here before you know it and you don't want to be caught wondering what could might have happened if only you had followed through.

  • 3-On-The-Tree Son has a 2016 Mustang GT 5.0 and I have a 2009 C6 Corvette LS3 6spd. And on paper they are pretty close.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Same as the Land Cruiser, emissions. I have a 1985 FJ60 Land Cruiser and it’s a beast off-roading.
  • CanadaCraig I would like for this anniversary special to be a bare-bones Plain-Jane model offered in Dynasty Green and Vintage Burgundy.
  • ToolGuy Ford is good at drifting all right... 😉
  • Dave Holzman A design award for the Prius?!!! Yes, the Prius is a great looking car, but the visibility is terrible from what I've read, notably Consumer Reports. Bad visibility is a dangerous, and very annoying design flaw.
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