The Shape of the Thing

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

The Prompt

This Challenge is about suggestion. Illusion. Echo. Something seen, or felt, that isn’t quite there, but still matters.

Maybe it’s a conversation that didn’t happen. A shadow mistaken for someone else. A gesture made in silence. Maybe the character doesn’t touch the thing, just hovers near it. Your story should explore how the idea of something can still hold weight.

You can be literal or lyrical, grounded or surreal. Let your character reach for something, maybe not fully, maybe not visibly. Let the reaching be the point.

Write about what’s almost there. And what that almost does.

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

• A fiction story (any genre or tone).
• Between 600 and 3,000 words.
• Submitted to the Fiction community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before September 12, 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• Your work must be original and unpublished.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 600 and 3,000 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until September 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The The Shape of the Thing 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.