Too Hot for This

The Prompt

Hot weather has a way of testing people's patience. Minor inconveniences suddenly feel impossible, tempers run short, and even the smallest setback can become the last straw.

For this challenge, write a funny piece about what happens when the heat refuses to let up. Your story can be true or fictional, realistic or exaggerated, but the heat should be more than a backdrop. It should shape the situation and push your characters toward increasingly questionable decisions.

Think about how people try to keep their composure when they're uncomfortable, and what happens when that effort starts to fail. Whether your humor comes from quiet irritation or complete chaos, let the rising temperature keep raising the stakes.

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

• 3,000 words or less.
• Submitted to the Humor community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before August 14, 2026 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• Your work must be original and unpublished.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 3,000 words or less and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until August 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Too Hot for This 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.