Craft Over Catharsis

The Prompt

Some stories are built to move us. Others are built to hold together.

In this challenge, structure is not a vehicle for emotion but the central concern. Shape, pattern, constraint, or technical approach should guide the story’s choices. The satisfaction comes from coherence, precision, and follow-through rather than catharsis.

Let the form lead. Trust that meaning can emerge from control, design, and rigor, even when emotional release is withheld.

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

• A fiction story.
• Between 600 and 3,000 words.
• Submitted to the Fiction community. Your story will be disqualified if it is submitted to any other community.
• Submitted before February 6, 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• Your work must be original and unpublished.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 between 600 and 3,000 words and adhere to our Community Guidelines.

Stories published on Vocal and entered into the Challenge up until February 6, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Craft Over Catharsis Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+, visit https://shopping-feedback.today/vocal-plus%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E.%3C/p%3E%3Cp class="css-1923z11-Text">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.