Top Stories
New stories you'll love, handpicked for you by our team and updated daily.
Glass Dolls. Top Story - February 2025.
Spoiler Alert: There aren't any here. One of the best things about writing on Vocal is the support that comes from brilliant creators. Then, of course, there's the privilege of reading their work. I've been a huge fan of L.C. Shäfer's writing since I was fortunate enough to find it here. Given that, it should come as no surprise that Glass Dolls was the first book in print by a fellow Vocal author I purchased.
By Dana Crandell2 years ago in BookClub
"Severance Package". Top Story - February 2025.
He's clacking again. He's always clacking. Silly little man. I can hear him, even here, at the other side of the house, beneath this thick layer of stone. Clack clack clack I know what he's doing. Oh, yes. He thinks I don't know. Fool. He thinks me old, set in my ways, and distrustful of new gadgets. And so I am... but I am not stupid. He underestimates me. He is job seeking. That's what he is doing. He is going to leave me. And why not? Everyone does, soon or late. Oh, don't think I say it for pity. You know unto which cavity you can shove that. No, I'm just realistic. When you live exist this long, everyone leaves. That's just how it is. He's connected to the bloody Inter Net. I can hear it whirring, like so many tiny bats, flying about with their little messages and bits of information. He's gone on this Inter Net, and he's Goggled "new jobs nere me" or something like that. He has applied to these jobs. He has sent prospective employers Electric Letters, on the back of one of those tiny bats. I know a thing or two about this process. I know he will need a Reference. I lay here, arms crossed on my chest, like so, and I wondered whether I should do him this great service. Perhaps not. Then he would not get a new job, and he would have to stay here. Don't think me soft, or sentimental. I am not. I don't want him to stay because of some childish fondness. I'll grant you, he is somewhat useful. Remember, though, humans who wish for immortality are ten a penny. I could replace him quickly. The promise of it keeps them going for a long time. It's true that you do grow used to people. He has grown accustomed to the way I like things done, and I, too, have grown used to his way of doing things. But there is this: to someone like me, who lives so long, what is a year, or five, or ten? A blink only. It would be tiresome to start anew, but hardly an insurmountable undertaking. I thought all these things, my mind going to and fro on whether to help him in his new adventure, much though it may inconvenience me... Then I saw the depth of his plotting. More phones! He will be giving himself references! He has even invented companies and created websites. The whole enterprise has demonstrated a level of cunning and industry I had hardly expected of him. I hope he has applied for a job working with these new machines. He might not do terribly in such a role. Here is something he does not know: I have been doing some clacking of my own. Such clever creatures, humans are, they have made replicas of themselves. These replicas look human, but they aren't. Rather like me. They do as they are told unfailingly, as long as one is precise in giving the instruction. This would cut down on the time for training and getting used to a new familiar. Like me, the replica would be unchanging. I have ordered one. I will give my faithless familiar some time off to reward him for such loyal service. He will be thrilled. No doubt this will make it easier for him to attend interviews without looking like grey dog doings that have been reheated. My new, mechanical familiar will arrive while he is gone. My neighbour will take delivery off it for me, and I will collect it after sundown. I see no flaws in this plan. I will let my idiot manservant go, but perhaps I will unpack his replacement and set it to work before be leaves. Just to see the look on his face. Or, perhaps I will arrange a severance package for him. Here you will have to imagine a sinister, even maniacal laugh. Typing "ahahaha!" doesn't really do the trick, no matter how many exclamation marks one uses. Keep clacking little man.
By L.C. Schäfer2 years ago in Fiction
Let Him Give You Rest. Top Story - February 2025.
Matthew 11:28–30 NIV “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
By Michelle Renee Kidwell2 years ago in Journal
Stop Killing Us.. Top Story - February 2025. Content Warning.
In 2024, approximately 350 trans and gender non-conforming people were murdered in hate attacks around the world. Nine out of ten of these attacks were on trans people of colour: specifically Black trans women. And each year, the figures increase. As of February 20, 2025, eight new anti-trans bills have been passed in seven states. It's aggravating, isn't it? In 2024, there were nearly five hundred mass shootings in the United States. People are dying because they cannot afford medications that will save their lives. Climate change is heating up the Arctic twice as fast as anywhere else on Earth. Yet, all anyone cares about is taking away the rights of trans people.
By choreomanias2 years ago in Humans
When One Door Closes. Top Story - February 2025.
November 2021 Standing in the cold, I was bundled with my hat, mittens, long coat, stealing heat from my husband. I peeked at my phone while we waited for the winter light show. The notification announced my monthly bonus from Kindle Vella.
By KA Stefana 2 years ago in Writers
Spooky Little Things. Top Story - February 2025.
Hi. Me again. It's been a minute and I'm excited to be writing this. I also kind of feel like I'm going to vomit. I am not good at self-promotion. However, I thought it only fair that I should promote myself a little. Besides, if I don't- how else can anyone possibly know that I wrote a freakin book?!
By Sara Wilson2 years ago in Journal
If You're Along The Blue Line You're In The Danger Zone. Top Story - February 2025.
Another week has passed, and there’s been another update on 2024 YR4, and the news wasn’t good. Unfortunately, this Statue of Liberty-sized asteroid has rocketed straight to the top of the charts, competing with the speed of a Taylor Swift new release. It’s now the most threatening thing in space, about life on Earth.
By Jason Morton2 years ago in FYI
How Do You Feel Happiness?. Top Story - February 2025. Content Warning.
Good Doctor? How do you feel happiness? Like a fishhook in the cheek, The tell tale BANG of gasses rapidly exiting a barrel, a trick of the hand before the sting. Like the first inhale of a joint— sharp, electric, a little bit holy, until the burn kicks in. How do you feel happiness? Like a goddamn joke, the punchline always landing too late, the laugh track rolling before I catch the setup. Like a house built on sand, like a sugar-spun web, like the taste of something sweet just before your teeth crack. How do you feel happiness? I used to fake it— Jesus Christ, I was good. Could tap dance bare—footed on broken glass with a smile, could wear it like a well-cut dress, tits juicy in a push up bra. I could make you believe I bled glitter and shit confetti. How do you feel happiness? I don’t, not right away. Not until it’s a fossil, a relic white poop from some mutt in the 90s. not until it’s run it's course in half-lifes. The isotopes seem to say: yes, I was happy there, yes, it was real, yes, it didn’t bite me back. How do you feel happiness? I double down on nature, on dirt-under-the-nails ,honesty on things that don’t lie. Red skies, storm warnings, a bird that shits on your windshield— no fucking illusions, no bait-and-switch. How do you feel happiness? Maybe I don’t. Maybe it’s all a carnival trick, a baited trap. But maybe—just maybe— it’s not a house of candy, not a witch’s laugh, not a trick at all. Maybe it’s just a fleeting thing that doesn’t need to last to count. Maybe I don’t have to believe in it, to let it in. XoXo some woman, somewhere, probably.
By L.K. Rolan2 years ago in Poets
Starting Over Part 2. Top Story - February 2025. Content Warning.
Be advised, this piece includes some graphic descriptions of abuse. Ella has lived in this small town for 5 years now. In those 5 years she made 2 friends. Charlie was the one neighbor to greet her and bring her a pie on the day she moved in. Ella nearly cried at the gesture, she thought it was so sweet and neighborly. Charlie was the one and only friend she had until their partner beat them to death. At Charlie's funeral, Ella met David. David and Charlie were childhood friends; he had just moved back into town the day before Charlie died. He hadn't even gotten to see Charlie before their death. He was devastated and often sought out Ella for a shoulder to cry on. They quickly became best friends in the months following Charlie's death. Ella could see herself settling down with David; it would be so easy. But ever since Ella was in middle school, she knew she was a lesbian. David figured, but still tried to give it a shot and kiss her one night anyway after too many vodka cranberries.
By Samantha J.2 years ago in Fiction
The New Philosophy of the Modern United States of America. Top Story - February 2025.
Preamble: We the people of the United States of America hereby declare that we do not, generally speaking, approve of philosophy. It typically requires deep thought and critical self examination, two things we are very much against. In fact the entire new philosophy of the modern United States of America can best be thought of as an anti-philosophy. If there is a thing that the international community or any group or body or persons that we are against is for, or thinks is useful and important, then we stand united against it. If we are against philosophy, then how can we use it to describe our beliefs? you may ask. Please see Maxims 6 and 13 for a more detailed explanation, but basically it is because we are always free to suspend or ignore previously stated positions or long held beliefs at any time, for any reason, with no justification required or given. It is critically important that the readers of this philosophy understand it only applies to the extent we say it does, when we say it does, and if we ever change our minds about any of it, we will be sure to let you know or not. There is nothing you can do about it in any case so we probably won’t bother. We will of course hold you accountable for everything we say here so reader beware.
By Everyday Junglist2 years ago in The Swamp
📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 02/20/2025
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays 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.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal2 years ago in Resources
An Interview with.... Top Story - February 2025.
I found this while cleaning up my computer and looking over some old files that I never found a place for online. I wonder what people will think of this self-interview I conducted for a friend in the early 2000s who wanted me to submit some biographical information in a Q and A (she came up with the questions; I should get back in touch with her one day). English was not her first language, and this was for an assignment she had at school to improve her skill with the language.
By Kendall Defoe 2 years ago in Interview
