Vocal & my relationship to publishing traditionally
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Ever since my small writing beginnings, when I started writing on Vocal in February 2021, I had been in a truly terrible slump & funk when it came to my writing. I had so many unfinished projects, ideas, half finished manuscripts and first chapters that were going nowhere.
Obviously, I was enticed by the Little Black Book challenge for the large prize money yet I had a good feeling that I could use this platform for my writing future.
Vocal started helping me write more and more with their encouragement and guidance. I remember being so overwhelmed and excited when I received my first top story. This helped me gain confidence in myself again and I began to pour out my thoughts and emotions and lost time with gusto.
The challenges with the specific prompts were also very helpful and truly helped me find and hone my writer’s voice. I wrote on gender perspectives and how Vocal helped me open up my voice to create more diverse perspectives. Since Middle School, I only wrote in the male perspective. It was not a conscious decision on my end, truly, it was just a normal thing in my head to do. Now, I feel healed enough to write in female perspective and other such perspectives, even monsters, ghosts and animals. 😂
It was something out of a dream when I started actually starting and finishing whole manuscripts and books here on Vocal. The motivation to keep publishing more chapters was addictive and I loved how easy it was to start a writing portfolio on my Vocal account.
This branched out into applying for more writing jobs and of course, submitting to traditional publishers. I wrote about my first writing job as an religious art columnist for Patheos and my first traditionally novel I am Bexley here. Patheos is and has been such a wonderful experience to branch out my work into more professional types of article writing that focuses on religious art and art history. I really appreciate that opportunity and I encourage you all to apply to their platform to write content for their website.
I had some interest at first a couple years ago with one of my first traditionally published books The Half Paper Moon, which turned into a long journey of discovery and exploration. The first publisher that was interested said my manuscript was too short, but had a good potential. The first draft took more than five years of planning, writing, editing and pouring my blood, sweat and tears, but after that, it was an additional two years before the final version was ready for publication.
All of this to say, I’ve had more rejections than I knew what to do with. I have spent hours upon hours researching traditional publishing options and then submitting my books only for them to send me a quick rejection. The problem with traditional publishing is that the vanity publishers and hybrid publishers are lurking around waiting for you to fall into their shaky hands.
The main difference between a traditional publisher and the hybrid/vanity publisher is one pays you, and the latter makes you pay them. I highly recommend you do not sign any contracts with hybrid or vanity presses, please. Only go with the option that pays you, up front and with royalties. Or at least, a good deal with royalties. Read your contract with others and be sure to make sure you aren’t paying any fees.
Personal circumstances can change and be rough at times, causing you to lose your mojo or mood to write. People may tell you to stop writing and focus on something more realistic or grounded. Like an office job, retail work or college. Sometimes your circumstances force you to halt your progress and focus on your work instead. Your children also come first. It’s a veritable feast of vulnerability for you as you juggle an emotional rollercoaster of stress, emotional exhaustion and physical pain that compounds and piles up day by day.
I am here to tell you that through all of this existential malaise, you can succeed.
No one can stop you from achieving and becoming what you want, only you have the power to make it come true.
I know this is corny but it worked for me. I was told for years to stop writing and to not have hopes of being successful. I never listened. That’s my problem, I am too obstinate for my own good.
Vocal is truly a blessing in disguise as well because though I initially wanted to enter a writing challenge to win a boat load of bucks, this platform instead helped me gain the confidence and motivation to write and never, ever stop. I implore you to never, ever stop, as well. Be obstinate. Be voracious in your will to continue your craft. Roar and scream and make a scene, literal or figurative.
One resource I use to find literary magazines and traditional publishing companies is Authors Publish. You can subscribe to their newsletter and mailing lists to receive open access to publications that are open to receiving new poetry submissions, manuscripts and short stories.
Through Author’s Publish, I found my third and forty traditional contract for two of my books. My short story, The Job, and my novella Atonement, the sequel to The Half Paper Moon, have been contracted with the small indie publisher JMS Books.
Please check out their website, as they will be publishing both of my books in August and September.
Here is a current list of all my publications and where you can find them(and some other sources that will have my books soon!):
—My post-apocalyptic zombie novel I am Bexley, which is published with Resurgence Novels. Download the free app today! My short story, Flipping the Veil, is about two side characters Emma & India from I am Bexley and available for free to read as well in the Chasing Fate series on the app.
I’m also working on Bexley’s sequel, The Bloodletter’s Scourge, and I’m hoping that it will be done by this year.
-My crime drama novel The Half Paper Moon which is published by Golden Storyline Books. Here is the Amazon link to the e-book and paperback edition.
—-Atonement, the crime drama that is the direct sequel to The Half Paper Moon, due to be published in August by JMS Books.
—-The Job, the crime drama/romance short story is set to be released by September, by JMS Books as well.
I am also working with an independent publisher Eukalypto to publish my novella, another crime drama called Carnivorous, to be released hopefully by the end of this year.
—-My original Amazon page where I have poetry collections, short story collections and other books you may enjoy.
Please never stop reading, writing and sharing your stories! Thank you for reading 😌
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My current list of all my published novels
Ever since I started my writing path with Vocal, I found that organizing and keeping track of my many types of poetry, novels and short stories was a huge awakening to me. I am, by nature, a highly disorganized person. Vocal was truly my first milestone in keeping track of my writing in a way that felt more professional and personal. As I grew in my craft, I decided to use many of the stories I started on Vocal to be put on the table to be published traditionally. This venture served up quite a quandary as I found that many of these so-called publishers were vanity presses or hybrid.
By Melissa Ingoldsby2 years ago in Motivation
I Never Chose the Easy Path; I Always Chose Hardship
From the earliest memories I can recall, life presented me with two roads. One was smooth, inviting, and well-trodden—a path that promised comfort, approval, and ease. The other was rough, rocky, and uncertain—a path of struggle, obstacles, and lessons that demanded effort, patience, and resilience. I never chose the smooth road. I never took shortcuts. Not because I was fearless, but because something deep inside refused to let me live a life that wasn’t earned. The easy path whispered promises of fleeting satisfaction, fleeting success, and fleeting recognition. It was tempting. Many around me chose it, and I often wondered if I was foolish for ignoring it. But I learned early that true growth is rarely convenient. The easiest choice often leads to emptiness, to regret, to a quiet knowing that you could have been more than you allowed yourself to be. Hardship became my teacher long before success ever noticed me. The lessons it offered were harsh, uncompromising, and often lonely. There were days when choosing the hard path felt like choosing isolation. While others were celebrated for small accomplishments, supported by friends and family, I walked in silence, with doubt as my companion. Progress was invisible to the world. Failures were frequent and relentless. Many nights, I returned home tired, my heart heavy, my mind questioning why I even bothered. Yet even in that silence, I was being shaped. I was learning the value of persistence, of dedication, and of refusing to give up on myself. The hard path forced honesty. It refused to allow excuses. It stripped away illusions and pretenses. I was left face-to-face with my limits, my fears, and my own humanity. On this path, I discovered strengths I never knew I had: patience I had never cultivated, resilience I had doubted, and self-respect that grew every time I stood up instead of walking away. These were not lessons that could be taught in comfort. They were only learned in struggle, in challenge, and in the quiet persistence of refusing to quit when no one was watching. I remember one time vividly. I had a goal that seemed impossible—one that required me to sacrifice comfort, leisure, and social approval. The easy path was right there: a way to avoid the challenge, to be “okay,” to follow what others had done before me. Many advised me to take it. “It’s safer,” they said. “It’s simpler,” they said. But I could feel, deep inside, that taking the easy way would leave me empty. I chose the hard path. The journey was grueling. Every step felt like pushing against gravity. But with each challenge, I gained more than I ever would have on the easy road. I gained endurance, confidence, and an understanding that real achievement is never handed—it is earned. Strength, I realized, isn’t loud. It doesn’t announce itself. It grows quietly, in the moments no one sees—the early mornings, the long nights, the repeated failures, the times you push forward when giving up would be understandable. Resilience is not simply surviving; it is deliberately choosing to continue, to stand again, to pursue the path that tests you the most. It is knowing that walking away is easier but will never lead to the person you are capable of becoming. I have walked many hard roads in life. Each one was different, yet the lessons were the same: comfort cannot teach endurance, shortcuts cannot teach discipline, and fleeting success cannot teach respect. Every struggle, no matter how small, adds to your character. Every failure is a mirror that shows you who you really are. And every choice to face hardship instead of fleeing builds a foundation that lasts long after temporary victories fade. There were times when I felt truly alone. People around me often misunderstood my choices. Friends, family, colleagues—they all questioned why I refused the easy way, why I worked harder, why I pushed myself beyond what seemed necessary. They didn’t see the growth happening quietly inside me. They didn’t see the small victories, the lessons learned, the resilience being forged. But eventually, the results spoke for themselves—not in a loud announcement, but in the quiet confidence and self-respect that I had built from the inside out. Life, I have learned, rewards those who endure hardship. Not always immediately. Not always visibly. But it rewards those who persist, who face struggle head-on, and who refuse to settle for anything less than becoming their fullest selves. Success that comes without effort is temporary; strength and self-respect are eternal. Hardship tests us, but it also teaches us. It shows us the depth of our own courage, the strength of our will, and the power of refusing to surrender. The lessons of the hard path are subtle, often invisible, and always lasting. I learned that failing is not shameful; failing is a necessary step toward mastery. I learned that enduring pain, even when no one notices, builds a type of strength that comfort never can. I learned that the more difficult the path, the deeper the reward—not measured in wealth or fame, but in character, wisdom, and self-respect. Every choice to embrace struggle instead of avoiding it shaped me. Every sacrifice, every extra hour, every moment of doubt faced instead of ignored, added to the foundation of the person I am today. My life was not easy. It was messy, unpredictable, and often overwhelming. But it was authentic. It was mine. And through hardship, I became resilient. I became someone who can face challenges without fear because I have faced them before. I became someone who respects themselves because I have honored my own effort. I became someone capable of growth because I refused to choose comfort over character. I often reflect on the people around me who chose the easy path. Many of them achieved quick victories, immediate recognition, and temporary peace. But over time, I noticed something important: the victories were shallow, the peace fleeting, and the growth minimal. They lacked the depth of resilience, the quiet power of self-respect, and the profound satisfaction that comes from knowing you endured, you learned, and you became someone stronger. Choosing hardship is not glamorous. It is not celebrated in real-time. It is often lonely, exhausting, and demanding. But it is transformative. It shapes your mind, your heart, and your spirit in ways comfort never can. It teaches discipline, patience, humility, and courage. It makes failure meaningful, effort valuable, and success earned. The hard path is where true people are made—people who understand that life’s challenges are not punishments, but opportunities. Opportunities to become better, stronger, wiser, and more capable. I never chose the easy path. I always chose the harder road, the one that tested me, the one that demanded effort, and the one that required me to face myself honestly. I walked through fear, doubt, exhaustion, and setbacks. I fell, and I got up. I failed, and I tried again. I cried, I questioned, I endured. And through it all, I became someone I could respect, someone who knew the value of persistence, someone who understood that hardship is not the enemy—it is the greatest teacher. Today, I measure success differently. I do not measure it by comfort, convenience, or ease. I measure it by growth, resilience, and the depth of self-respect I have cultivated. I measure it by how I faced challenges I could not ignore, how I embraced struggles that seemed unbearable, and how I refused to take shortcuts at the cost of my own becoming. I never chose the easy path. I chose the one that made me resilient. I chose the one that taught me self-respect. I chose the one that allowed me to become the person I am today. And if I had the choice again, I would choose the hard path every single time. Because the road of struggle is not only a journey—it is the making of a human being.writing...
By Ihtisham Ulhaqa day ago in Motivation
Bruce Lee and The God of War: Kuan Ti
It starts with love.. The Power to the God Of War and Wealth Walk into a Chinese restaurant (even in Oklahoma, USA), a Chinese police station, a kung fu martial arts studio or even a Chinese temple and you often see a red faced warrior holding a heavy quan-do (spear like weapon).
By WILD WAYNE : The Dragon King5 days ago in Chapters
Comments (33)
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Very nice informative piece! I enjoyed reading about your journey!
Thank you for your encouraging article. I just published my first story as a submission to the Act of Kindness challenge. Maybe you might have a moment to check it out. It's called Balloon Man. Thanks so much for any words of wisdom. Appreciatively, Rob
Thank you 💕 I needed this. Congratulations on your achievements.
I congratulate you on your achievements Melissa! You can also check out my work at https://hillclimbapk.com/ and https://apkcoinmaster.com/. I would appreciate that.
This may be one of the most useful articles I've ever read... Thank you for the pep talk and information!
Way to go on all fronts. You are a terrific writer.
This was great to read Melissa, as someone hoping to get published at some point down the line. A nice blend of personal and informative 👏🏾
This is so wonderfully inspiring, Melissa! I really appreciate you sharing your journey. 🤗 It's really motivational information for those of us hoping to one day get published! Huge congrats on all your success!
Congrats on you top story.
Congrats on Top Story! :)
my favourite
Congratulations on your achievements and the Top Story, Melissa! A very inspirational read. https://tocaapkboca.com/
Very moving and inspiring! Congrats on a well-deserved top story :)
Congratulations on your achievements and the Top Story, Melissa! A very inspirational read.
Wow, Melissa, this is so inspirational. Thank you for sharing your journey and your words of encouragement. Congrats on top story, too!
Came back to congratulate you on your TS!!🥳🥳
Good for you! I love your advice to be obstinate & to never give up. I love That Vocal allows stories to be posted without a contest and that the creators are supportiveness obi Vocal!!
This was so inspiring. Good on you and wishing you all good luck.
So happy for you, Melissa. Sounds like you have all your ducks in a row and then some. Proud to hear of all of your accomplishments. You are an inspiration. 🤩
Your progress is inspiring. Thanks for writing this article, and congratulations on all the successes!
Back to say congratulations on your Top Story! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊
I loved this!! Hearing such a positive take on publishing and writing is so refreshing!! A lot of writers I’ve spoken to as of late solely talk about the stress of it and how difficult it is to make money and while those are very valid and real concerns as writers it’s so nice to hear someone talk about the inspiration and art creation aspect of it. Loved this and congrats on TS!
Congrats, Melissa. Good for you for sticking with it. You're a great writer. Top story kudos as well.