Resources
From tips and tricks to product updates and inspiration, explore our resources to learn how to grow as a Vocal creator.
Challenges
Weekend Getaway Challenge Winners
Setting is everything. Think about it. Most stories are simply people... in a place. As writers, we think of a place and we put people there. Or, if we think of a person, a protagonist, we very quickly place them somewhere. It could be a dying star, a haunted summer camp or a cozy cabin. All you need to do is put a few characters in a setting and let your imagination go to work.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 6 months ago in Resources
Holiday Hijinks Challenge Winners
They happen every year at the exact same time. No matter how much you've changed, where you live, how you feel about Uncle Ned— like a big wheel, they always come back around. Holiday dinners. Those moments when everyone sits around the table, shares a few laughs and makes new memories. They are the perfect (or worst) time to take stock of the past, to think about the future, to ask your mom why she loves your sister more or your dad why he pushed you to play basketball when all you wanted was to play the flute.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 6 months ago in Resources
The Mystery Box Challenge Winners
It starts with a drone. Then, a box. Who sent the box? What’s inside? How does the arrival of this mystery box change the protagonist’s day, week, life?
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 6 months ago in Resources
The Aquarium Challenge Winners
We never have to look far for unexpected interpretations of our prompts, and this Challenge was no different. A simple sentence- "Write a story about an aquarium" - gave us a kaleidoscope of stories. There were aquaria in space, humans in aquaria, animals escaping their glass enclosures and others finding comfort within the glass. There was glass that cracked and glass that could not be broken, to say nothing of the characters’ hearts and emotions- fragile, intricate, hardened, broken. Some Creators lamented the aquarium while others celebrated its beauty.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 6 months ago in Resources
High-ku Challenge Winners
Out of respect for Matsuo Bashō, and in honor of his invention of the haiku in sixteenth century Japan, this post will be brief.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished 6 months ago in Resources
The Fantasy Prologue Challenge Winners, and a Very Special Announcement
I've been looking forward to this day for a long time. We recently closed The Fantasy Prologue Challenge, which has been our most successful Challenge so far this year. Nearly 4,000 original fantasy fiction stories were submitted, all beginning with the same sentence:
Joshua Luke JohnsonPublished 12 months ago in Resources
Announcing the Ship of Dreams Titanic Challenge Winners and Runners-Up
Congratulations to Harmony Kent, author of “Lifeboat Seven” and to Ryan Smith, author of “No Man’s Land” — both worthy winners of our Ship of Dreams Challenge here on Vocal.
Erica WagnerPublished about a year ago in Resources
The Moment of Freedom: A Collection of Stories
In peace, continue your art; in war, continue your art; in freedom, continue your art; in captivity, continue your art! -Mehmet Murat ildan
Vocal TeamPublished about a year ago in Resources
From Across the Room Poetry Challenge Winners
From across the room (or rather, the screen), the Vocal Team fell head over heels in love with nearly 3,500 poems submitted to the Vocal+ “From Across The Room" Challenge. Inspired by the idea of love at first sight, the Vocal creative community once again delivered with heart and soul. After a month and a half of reading love poems, and with final judging by Kirun Kapur, esteemed editor of the Beloit Poetry Journal and creative writing professor at Amherst College, we are thrilled to announce our winners.
Vocal TeamPublished about a year ago in Resources
Announcing the Vocal+ Fiction Awards Challenge WINNERS
February 25, 2022. We've had this date circled on our calendar for a long time. Leading up to this date, we've read more than 13,000 stories submitted to the Vocal+ Fiction Awards. We've had more than 13,000 meetings (not really, but it feels like it) to narrow that list down to 1,025 incredible finalists. Our team of curators and Judges, led by Vocal's Lead Editorial Innovator and our Content Specialists, have been reading, re-reading, and carefully considering all of these finalists.
Vocal TeamPublished about a year ago in Resources
Meet the Vocal Challenge Judges
Since the launch of Challenges on January 21st, 2020, Vocal Creators from around the world have enjoyed over 125 opportunities (and counting) to turn their creativity into cash, rewards, and prestige. Through stories involving little black books, night owls, dystopian societies, and even just life as we know it, we've become extremely close with the ever-growing creative community on Vocal.
Vocal Curation TeamPublished about a year ago in Resources
Announcing the Return of the Night Owl Challenge Winners and Runners-Up
The Vocal Curation Team is excited to announce the winners and runners-up for the Return of the Night Owl Vocal+ Challenge. As a reminder, the Grand Prize for this Challenge is $20,000. The Second Place prize is $5,000, and 100 Runners-Up will win $50 each.
Vocal TeamPublished about a year ago in Resources
