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Find new, handpicked stories you’ll love, updated daily.
How the Harvest Mouse Came to Suisun Bay
A long, long time ago there was a family of harvest mice. Mice are common, but these were unique – born to those who had lived in the salty, marshy bay for many generations, these mice ate and drank from the sea as well as the land and rivers. For generations, there were only the southern families, scattered along the marshes of Corte Madera and in the San Francisco Bay (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2013). One family, however, would undergo strife and conflict before reaching a whole new world. What became of them after is another tale entirely – but this is how their story begins.
Taylor InmanPublished 2 days ago in Fictioncherry
the cherry trees weep in pink. the concrete cracks in jagged edges. tears dissolve the barren spaces like acid.
ASK ME IN DECEMBER
Celebrating my third year on Vocal with my 301st story and an unofficial challenge! Yes, a challenge! Doing my happy dance! Are you ready?
Babs IversonPublished 3 days ago in Writersfate
mother i am piece of you, cloth trying to dye itself another color caged bird trying to break free black swan or white
R.C. TaylorPublished 2 days ago in PoetsJust One Minute
Alice could feel her heart beating out of her chest. She tried to calm herself as she flexed her fingers and reached for her glass, bringing it to her lips and taking a sip. As the cooling liquid pooled beneath her tongue, her eyes met with his.
Amber BristowPublished a day ago in FictionHow Sailor Moon Impacted My Life
For 30 years, this cosmic crybaby has warmed the hearts of many people inspired others, and still never fails to give people, courage, strength, and love. You could throw a dart at any movie, TV Show, or author that Sailor Moon has inspired.
Samantha ParrishPublished 4 days ago in GeeksFraternal Twins
Extraordinarily rare and breathtaking Concealing each other and combining as one Lunar and solar, the twins we have come to admire
Lizzy GabrickPublished 2 days ago in PoetsJust Sixty Seconds
Oliver sat at a cold, grey steel-covered table. He knew he was next. The longer he sat here, the more confident he knew he wouldn’t make it. His hands were tied to the chair he was sitting on, pushed up against the steel table. A small camera in the corner of the ceiling with a tiny red flashing light was the only thing he was focused on. He felt sick to the stomach. He knew he didn’t have long.
Joshua MaggsPublished 4 days ago in FictionRound Up
Sometimes I wonder what evidence it will take. Sometimes, between dodging rounds of flying bullets, Or fleeing the toxic spew of chemicals, or even crawling
Silver Serpent BooksPublished 4 days ago in PoetsFaedaze
Daisy leaned back against the wall of the window bench, the dress she was embroidering on falling to her lap, all but forgotten. Her gaze rested on the trees just beyond the edge of her garden, watching with dreamlike expression on her face, waiting for something others doubted would ever come.
Kelsey ClareyPublished 5 days ago in Fiction
Challenges
Enter themed storytelling contests to put your creativity to the test.
In Eclipse
Write an acrostic poem using this word: eclipse.
$500 Grand Prize6 days leftJust a Minute
Write a short fiction story that takes place within the course of 60 seconds.
$500 Grand Prize13 days leftWhispering Woods
Write a fantasy fiction story that takes places in a sentient forest.
$500 Grand PrizeFinished
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Resources
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Whispering Woods Challenge Winners
Congratulations to Morgan Christy Rickards for their winning Whispering Woods story, Guardian at the Gate. Morgan has been a Vocal creator since February 2021, and this is their first time placing in Challenge — well done, starting with a win! Guardian at the Gate draws evocatively from Welsh tales of the Cantre'r Gwaelod, a lost sunken kingdom between the forest and the sea. Heledd’s dangerous adventure pulls her towards the water but her spirit is anchored in the woods: Morgan’s writing is atmospheric and exciting.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished a day ago in ResourcesVocal Weekly Leaderboard: 04/17/2024
Welcome to the weekly update of the Leaderboard! We're thrilled to showcase Vocal's most discussed stories, popular picks, and rising stars. Let's dive into this past week's standout contributors and their remarkable achievements.
Vocal TeamPublished 2 days ago in ResourcesVocal Creator Chat: 04/16/2024
Have questions about creating stories, growing your audience, and getting rewarded on Vocal? The Vocal community and team are here to help answer your questions and feedback together.
Vocal Creator ChatPublished 3 days ago in ResourcesSnacktime Sonata Challenge Winners
Well, your Snacktime Sonatas made us hungry, and that’s about the highest compliment we have. Food — taste, smell, sensation — is a powerful conduit to the past, to memories pleasurable and painful and sometimes bittersweet, a mixture of comfort and challenge. Congratulations to Penny Fuller for Sativa — it’s a first win for Penny — a hymn to the “secret, unbounded/freedoms” of fresh peas in the pod. The narrative voice of the poem doesn’t really want to be outside, but finds joy in the green things of the earth; this is a lovely work of resilience.
Vocal TeamPublished 8 days ago in Resources📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 04/11/2024
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted every other Thursday at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
Raise Your Voice by VocalPublished 8 days ago in ResourcesVocal Weekly Leaderboard: 04/10/2024
Welcome to the weekly update of the Leaderboard! We're thrilled to showcase Vocal's most discussed stories, popular picks, and rising stars. Let's dive into this past week's standout contributors and their remarkable achievements.
Vocal TeamPublished 9 days ago in Resources
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