Somewhere Between Here and There

This Challenge is part of the Vocal+ Summer Writing Series. Learn more

The Prompt

This challenge is about what happens in the in-between. When you’re not quite where you were, but not quite where you’re going, either. The middle of a walk. The middle of a feeling. The moment you leave something behind without knowing what comes next.

Maybe your speaker is sorting something out. Maybe they’re reflecting quietly. Maybe they’re carrying a notebook they’re not writing in yet. You don’t need to explain everything, just let the poem live in the pause, the space, the unspoken.

Write like you’re mid-step, eyes forward, still figuring it out.

In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:

• A poem (any style or structure is welcome).
• Between 50 and 500 words.
• Submitted to the Poets community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before September 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST.
• Your work must be original and unpublished.

The Prizes

• 5 Winners: $200 each
• 15 Runners-up: $15 each
• 10 Honorable Mentions: $5 each

For your story to be eligible, it must be between 50 and 500 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until September 5, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Somewhere Between Here and There Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://vocal.media/vocal-plus.

To be eligible to win, you must be over the age of 13 and reside in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need a Stripe account created and connected to receive prizes. Entrants located outside of these countries will not be eligible to win.