ViM's Bulletin Board

We've been busy behind the scenes at ViM. Running here and there. Signing papers for this place, taking pictures for that one. Packing bags and loading boxes. While I'm preparing for a move into a new-to-me house on the other side of town, Celia and River are dealing with the stress of traveling to a different country. Plus the animals. Both of us, ViM admins, were blessed with a love for our furbabies, so of course, we have to include them in our plans.

Sadly, I've been so busy, I cannot tell you who has written anything unless it made a top story or you shared it with me for me to read. I've hardly even had the time to write a story with all that I've been doing. Who knew that packing up 31 years of marriage and ending it would be so much work? As soon as I have moved, I intend to get back to reading daily.

As much as I hate moving and how much work I say it has been, it's been nowhere near the struggle that River and Celia have gone through. The research they have had to do in order to find a place just right for them shouldn't have happened. They should be able to feel comfortable with loving each other, no matter where they live.

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With all this being written, we had a little issue with the judging of July's Prompt, Everyone Gets a Soapbox. Celia and River were unable to vote with only days before their move. Lauren is away. Judey and I were the only two available judges. So I put forth and asked my youngest daughter if she would be one of our judges this go around (btw, she enjoyed it, and has offered to do so again). I also asked Oneg or Jim if either one of them could vote, and Oneg said they could. So, this round, we had two substitute judges, Oneg and Bonnie.

Speaking of Oneg and Jim, check out Oneg and James's awesome challenge James & Oneg’s Summer Writing Extrav-again-AGAIN-za!

While you're checking out, join in the summer fun. ⤵⤵

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ViM has decided to have a prompt that lasts from August to November. In this challenge, we ask that you read other users' work on Vocal, and write about two writers that you are most touched by, what work of theirs drew you in, and why we should read them.

1. Write about 2 Vocal Creators that you enjoy reading. What qualities of theirs do you like? Dislike? What's your favorite read? Tell us all about your attraction to your 2 must-read Vocal Authors. {1 piece - 1 entry}

2. Entries accepted August 7, 2025 - October 28, 2025. Plenty of time to get those entries in.

3. Cannot be fiction. Must be about actual Vocal writers.

4. No AI-written pieces.

5. Voting will begin on October 29, 2025, and continue till November 10, 2025.

6. Prizes

• First Place = $5
• Second Place = $2
• Third Place = $1

So join in and uplift your fellow writers with this prompt. Give a shoutout to your fave two, and let them know that what they write is worth something to someone.

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Now for the highlight each of you has been waiting for. Announcing ViM's July Prompt winners!

First Place:

Paul Stewart

Second Place:

K.B. Silver

Third Place:

Tim T. Carmichael

Read Judey's piece here:

If you would like to read more about the challenge, you can do so at this link:

The other entries, in no particular order:

Think!

The Compass That Called My Name

An allergy to Peace

A Moment on my Soapbox

Dead of Night

Shackled to my Anxiety

God's Garden

Stop the World, I Want to Get Off

Stop by and check out each Soapbox article, and feel free to leave the authors some love. Each entry was great and well worth a read. Sadly, we could only pick the top three.

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A/N

I asked Jim Delaney-Howell to vote. James R. Uzzi is hosting the challenge with Oneg. Sorry for any misunderstanding. I forgot not everyone knows both Jim and James <3.