Top Stories
Stories in Writers that you'll love, handpicked by our team.
When Can You Call Yourself a Writer?. Top Story - November 2025.
Let’s face it, we have all asked ourselves the same question: when can we call ourselves a “writer”? After all, when we tell our friends and family that we are writers, some of the first questions that we get back are things like, “Oh, what have you written?” and “Where can I read your stuff?”
By Stephanie Hoogstad12 months ago in Writers
No More National Novel Writing Month. Top Story - November 2025.
For many years now, in November, I would write 50,000 plus words for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). Each day, I would write. It wasn't important to edit as I wrote, because I knew in a month or two it would be time to edit.
By Denise E Lindquistabout a year ago in Writers
He Always Wants to Go Home!. Top Story - November 2025.
The challenge ended and I am sending the tips out to the stories I liked, which is every one of them. I was completely blown away by this collective creativity and the different takes the authors provided on the prompt.
By Lana V Lynxabout a year ago in Writers
A Discovery in a Bus Shelter. Top Story - November 2025.
I met my first publisher at a bus stop. Yes, I am as busy with the challenges as any of you out there in Vocalland. I have also had more contracts added to my teaching schedule, papers marked and to come on the docket, and I think I may have beaten back a slight cold that set up shop at the back of my head and on my chest. I know that I should rest and restore myself to better shape so that I can keep tapping out these pieces. But I feel compelled to talk about a man who changed my plans for my literary career, especially since I did not think I had one.
By Kendall Defoe about a year ago in Writers
9 Reasons to Keep Writing When You Feel Stuck. Top Story - November 2025.
“A writer is someone for whom writing is more difficult than it is for other people.”― Thomas Mann Our reasons for writing are never exactly the same, but there are common threads we can connect over. Many writers have complicated feelings toward their craft. In one sense, it’s your lifeline in getting your voice out to the world. In another, it’s also the thing that drives you to keep writing more and more.
By Leigh Victoria Phan, MS, MFAabout a year ago in Writers
Published on Halloween!. Top Story - November 2025.
Submitting to publications is grueling enough as it is, it's chalk-filled with disappointment all on its own, you don't need to be adding your own self-inflicted wounds to the party. A writer can run out of body parts to absorb these blows.
By Stephen Kramer Avitabileabout a year ago in Writers
Happiness and Light Unofficial Challenge. Top Story - October 2025.
INTERJECTION INTERRUPTION UPDATE - Added all the entries we've received so far, and just wanted to bump this up to remind people it's still open. You still have time to enter a piece for either or both parts of the challenge - we have only received pieces for the first part of the challenge so far. - Paul Stewart, a writer. One half of the temporary twosome of John and Paul, but not Ringo and George.
By Paul Stewart12 months ago in Writers
Am I Anyone's Favorite Writer?. Top Story - October 2025.
Someday, you’re going to be someone’s favorite author.--Lucia Franco With the posting of my drabble “The Invasion” (link below), I hit 250 stories published on Vocal. I know that it should be a time of celebration for me. After all, that’s a lot of stories! Surely, I should be proud of myself. However, I find myself reflecting on my past three years on Vocal and wondering how I could have done better and, more importantly, if I have made an impact with any of my stories.
By Stephanie Hoogstadabout a year ago in Writers
Tales From Beyond: The Haunted Letter Challenge: The Entries. Top Story - October 2025.
Greetings to the demented, the disturbed, the deranged. The entries for the “Tales from Beyond: The Haunted Letter Challenge” have been received and are festering in the dark deluded dungeons of the supernatural judges who are currently being haunted and disillusioned as we read each and every entry. There are 34 spooktastic letters in total.
By Rick Henry Christopher about a year ago in Writers
