Instructions Included

The Prompt

Instructions promise clarity. Steps imply order. But even the most practical guide can carry a story between its lines.

Use the structure of a manual, a set of rules, or a how-to to reveal character, consequence, or change. What’s being explained matters less than what’s implied: the problem that required these instructions, the voice giving them, the cost of getting something wrong.

Let the form do the heavy lifting. Be precise. Be procedural. Trust the reader to notice what the instructions can’t quite contain.

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 January 16, 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• Your work must be original and unpublished.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 January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.

The Instructions Included 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.