📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 04/24/2025
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the city on the hill by John Cox is a slow-burn parable dressed in the robes of sci-fi. It’s an allegory about seeking refuge, the cost of survival, and the moral burdens we carry into supposed utopia.
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Raise Your Voice by Vocal
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📢 Raise Your Voice Thread: 04/10/2025
Our “Raise Your Voice Threads” are hosted most alternating Thursdays at 12PM ET to offer creators more avenues to uncover exceptional stories on Vocal. As we are continuously searching for fresh creators and inspiring stories, this thread provides an opportunity to exchange and discuss the stories that have moved and motivated us on Vocal.
By Raise Your Voice by Vocal9 months ago in Resources
Getting Serious About Comedy (Part I)
If I were asked to remark on my life and the childhood that paved some road leading me to this point, I would have to say something about all the funny people who surrounded me for the last 26,872 days (and counting). Somewhere along that road, I became a big fan of laughter and the comedy that spawns it – and, I mean not only my own laughter, but the laughter of others, some of which I have actually been responsible for inducing.
By John Oliver Smitha day ago in Humor
Comments (27)
"Well said 👏"
Truth for everyone...Silence is golden in this message from Rohitha Lanka https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/don-t-argue-with-donkeys-f91j0g3x%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
https://shopping-feedback.today/journal/is-donald-trump-the-next-pope%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Check it "Is Donald Trump the next pope??"
Thanks for that
Just read this piece which is an unusual contribution from Sean Patrick, who I subscribe to for his insightful film reviews. However, this is a reflective, introspective piece about the value of empathy: https://shopping-feedback.today/journal/compassion-is-our-greatest-strength%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Hey everyone! I know it's a bit late but I can't resist to hype up this piece: https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/a-regular-day-envg0pt0%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Hi, my name is Terry Long. I am a neurodivergent blogger and writer and I am new to Vocal. Here are some of my stories. I hope you like them. https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/the-life-and-times-of-andy-richards%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/chapters/to-slip-the-surly-bonds-ht8h00862%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
I'm quite late to the party on this one! But this is an original song by Dalma Ubitz, a friend who has just recently joined the Vocal community. She has several songs posted, as well as a great poem. Definitely recommend: https://shopping-feedback.today/beat/on-the-road-to-recovery%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Recently enjoyed this intriguing piece: https://shopping-feedback.today/writers/the-god-with-a-pen%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Hi everyone! I'm Ben, and I write about things I do in life, and try to make it as fun as possible. I've read so much stuff on here, and you're all wonderful, but I've really enjoyed reading Stephanie Hoogstad https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/stephanie-hoogstad%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E and Jessica Pheonix - https://shopping-feedback.today/humor/just-one-more-minute%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E I've only just scratched the surface though, and I can't wait to read more of your work!
Connect with me on Vocal Media. Let's connect. Feel free. friendship. Let's gooo.
Better late than never - 😬🙄 These are four stand out pieces for me this week from Susan Fourtane, Kel, Lou Norman and Sophia Cary. https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/frozen-pbh4c0d0t%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/i-m-fine-rbsev08l3%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/feelings-start-to-fade%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E https://shopping-feedback.today/photography/photographing-like-a-tourist-in-my-home-city#comment-c11e443e-fb47-4a48-be15-b2453bc89c68%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Hi everyone! I’m Nikita, a passionate writer on Vocal, crafting captivating and beautifully written stories, one of my stories as below link https://shopping-feedback.today/history/spirit-of-service-the-soldier-s-duty-after-death%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
I absolutely loved your description of The City on the Hill by John Cox. The way you capture the essence of the story as a "slow-burn parable" really resonates. It's rare to find a piece that intertwines sci-fi with such deep allegorical themes about survival and morality. Your interpretation of the narrative as an exploration of seeking refuge and the costs of a utopian ideal is insightful and thought-provoking. It makes me want to dive into the story myself and explore those complex moral dilemmas. Thanks for the recommendation!
Hello, everybody! ✨ I'm Cristal, and I’ve only quite recently found my way back to writing. Whether it's positive or negative, I write about all things that somehow touch me. Since I'm restarting my writing journey, I like to push myself out of my comfort zone by participating in different challenges and writing pieces based on prompts that, in the past, wouldn't have been my first picks. All in hopes of discovering new sides of myself and seeing what sparks inspiration. You're welcome to explore my work, and I’m always open to feedback. The last story I read here on Vocal was written by L.C. Schäfer, and it really stuck with me. If you haven’t read it yet, I highly recommend doing so. https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/the-wishing-dream%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Hi, I'm Sandy. I'm from Australia and I write about the ups and downs of my life with a toddler. If you're looking for a nice happy story, I just read this one by Malik Aiden and I really enjoyed it: https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/a-word-with-her-b23w00ao%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Hey Hey everyone! I’m anandgunaratne. One story have recently touched me and stayed with me: "The Garden Blooms" (URL: https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/the-garden-blooms%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%29 is a truly heartfelt story that encapsulates the essence of growth, both internal and external. The way the narrative intertwines with nature, making it a metaphor for personal evolution, is beautiful. I was particularly moved by the delicate yet powerful way the characters bloom alongside the garden.
Hey everyone! I’m Kabir Ahmed, a writer from Bangladesh who expresses thoughts through poetry, reflective essays, and creative narratives here on Vocal. My goal is to tell stories that stir emotions and spark introspection.** Two stories have recently touched me and stayed with me: 1. [The True Meaning of Easter](https://shopping-feedback.today/education/the-true-meaning-of-easter%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%29%22 by [@brunog](https://shopping-feedback.today/authors/brunog%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%29 — A beautifully written reflection that dives into the deeper, spiritual layers of Easter. It’s not just informative, but also soul-touching. 2. [Inner Child](https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/inner-child-al19180a25#comment-b1be1f25-df82-4eee-830b-0a8e26b4c36b%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E) — This poetic piece truly resonated with me. It awakened the delicate emotions tied to our younger selves. The imagery, vulnerability, and emotional depth are just incredible. I’d love to discover more voices and share inspiration with fellow creators. If you’ve written something meaningful or know someone who has — tag them! Let’s connect and grow together। Thank you all.
Hi. I am Jeremy.i write poems and all kinds of other things. The three part series by Afia Sikder is great. It helped me a lot. https://shopping-feedback.today/pride/the-power-of-self-pride-why-believing-in-yourself-changes-everything%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Wotcher. I mostly write iddy biddy tales. I did a year of microfiction last year (yes, every fucking day), and after a short break, I'm on a new quest to write and publish daily. I have one rec. this week - a brand new creator here with a sweet series of poems. This one is my favourite: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/plant-darkness-wk18170a2s%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Howdy, Beautiful people! I'm Tiffany Gordon. I am primarily a poet and fiction writer specializing in the teen market. I'm honored to announce the new 'Self-Appreciation' Challenge to this rockin' community!! This challenge is unique and special because it emphasizes self-love and celebrating the goodness in you! Please check out the official announcement from Rick Henry Christopher below, and please feel free to enter. I can't wait to witness what your brilliant minds will come up with! Happy writing, my friends! 🌸 https://shopping-feedback.today/writers/the-self-appreciation-challenge%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Hey! Really enjoyed this heartwarming piece by John: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/a-thousand-different-remembered-moments%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">
Hey guys! I go by Sunny but my pen name is actually my legal name Natasha Mae. I’ve had the privilege of reading a lot of poetry the past few weeks with a challenge I’m hosting in honor of national poetry month. The result of this has lead to so many incredible pieces. Just to name a few see below: https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/coastal-vortex%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E By Angela Hepburn https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/the-edge-of-the-fog%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E By Henrik-hageland https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/pieces-of-a-puzzle%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E By Cristal Beikd https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/watch-me-spit-venom%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E By the Popular Dharsheena https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/candlewick-in-shadow%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E By Novel Allen
Okay, back again. Here are my picks for this week/fortnight/howevertruckinglongitisbetween these things. Absolutely brutal, powerful, no sugar-coating writing from LC on this devastating tale. It's important and pulls no punches, as it should not - https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/the-wishing-dream%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Lana made me laugh a lot this week with two of her pieces - I've chosen this one because the irony and hypocrisy are just so well expressed. https://shopping-feedback.today/fiction/lenin-s-birthday-portrait%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Antoni wrote this beautiful poem - https://shopping-feedback.today/poets/life-s-richter-scale%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E DK can sing like an angel. - https://shopping-feedback.today/beat/the-patient-one%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E Sorry for the abstract descriptions there, but that's the way I was rolling. Thesea are all brilliant.
Jay (aka the other JK) has a way of bringing the reader into the room with him as he chats. This latest one was especially moving. https://shopping-feedback.today/families/life-s-circles%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3C/div%3E%3Cdiv class="css-w4qknv-Replies">