Self-Editing Epiphany Challenge Winners

Words have a way of misbehaving—spilling onto the page before they’ve found their shape, daring us to wrestle with their untamed potential. For this challenge, we asked you to share an excerpt that was raw, imperfect, and brimming with possibility—then pull back the curtain on your creative process. We wanted to see the twists and turns, the risks you took, and the bold steps you made to transform that messy first draft into something singular.

Congratulations to everyone who stepped outside the bounds of tradition and into the realm of fearless invention. By exposing your vulnerabilities, you’ve blazed a trail for others eager to break convention—and reminded us all that the most thrilling stories often begin where the comfort zone ends.

🏆 $500 Grand Prize Winner: How Lying Got Me Into Columbia University by Hannah Hess

Hannah Hess's piece earns the Grand Prize for its raw exploration of self-censorship and the courage to reclaim one's narrative. The original essay's omission of queerness highlights the societal pressures to conform, and her introspective journey to acknowledge this was both candid and transformative. By embracing vulnerability, Hannah's self-edit reflects a profound understanding of how truth and identity interlace to create authenticity, especially in spaces demanding vulnerability like college applications. Her bold revision process, marked by the catalytic sentence 'I am a liar,' transformed a polished facade into a narrative that powerfully articulates her lived experience. This daring act of self-truth not only reshaped her application but illuminated the broader theme of identity reclamation, making her piece a testament to the power of honest storytelling.

🥈 $200 Second Place: You Are a Snowball by Lindsay Rae Brown

Lindsay Rae Brown's story unfolds with a captivating and poignant exploration of personal upheaval through the metaphor of a snowball—one that gains not just mass but emotional weight as it rolls. The self-edit is a masterclass in vulnerability, as Lindsay bravely unpacks the chaos of a life undergoing seismic shifts, from career changes to personal relationships. Her reflection is raw and insightful, demonstrating a deep understanding of the transformative power of writing. Lindsay's courage in confronting depression and her eventual embrace of hope lends the piece a profound resonance, embodying both a literal and metaphorical thaw, where warmth and self-acceptance eventually break through the icy veneer. This piece stands out for its emotional depth and the clarity with which Lindsay articulates her journey towards self-compassion and resilience.

🎖️ Runners-up: $15 Each

turning a piece of coal into a diamond by Alexandria Stanwyck

Alexandria Stanwyck captures the challenging journey of healing through a nuanced lens, bravely intertwining the shadows of trauma with the light of emotional resilience. The self-edit reveals a poignant transformation: from a tentative narrative to one of assured strength, deftly enriched with lush details that evoke the complexity of Alayna's internal struggle. Alexandria's exploration of love as a choice rather than a necessity is particularly striking, offering a fresh and powerful perspective on interpersonal relationships post-trauma. By maintaining Alayna's voice as the focal point, she underscores her protagonist's growth, leaving readers with a resonant sense of hope and emotional triumph.

Not The Editor I Wish To Be by Euan Brennan

Euan Brennan boldly dances with the ambitious threads of a sprawling fantasy epic, and this runner-up placement celebrates the author's courageous exploration of perspective and tone. Brennan exhibits an insightful self-edit, delving into the delicate dance between omniscient and limited third-person narration. This journey from a raw, intriguing excerpt to a more polished, tension-filled narrative highlights a brave willingness to dissect one's creative process and elevate a promising, unpublished world to new heights.

Dervish: Potential Space by Gerard DiLeo

Gerard DiLeo ventures into the intricate dance between art and oppression, using the metaphor of a dervish to critique societal constraints. The poem's evocative imagery and rhythm capture the tension and grace of women’s struggles, revealing layers of depth through each stanza. His candid self-edit illuminates the creative risks he embraced, celebrating the power of motion and the silent rebellion it embodies. DiLeo’s willingness to question and provoke is both courageous and necessary, making his work a compelling exploration of untapped potential.

Art as a Reclamation of Narrative by Morgana Miller

Morgana Miller's entry shines in its exploration of self-editing as an act of profound narrative reclamation. The transition from the raw emotion of the first draft to the lyrical grace of the final draft demonstrates a bold shift in perspective, as Miller transforms personal pain into a poignant and hopeful expression. By framing art as a devotional act that reanimates the spirit, Miller thoughtfully articulates the power of creative revision, inviting readers to consider the narratives they craft for themselves. This piece stands out for its intellectual playfulness and daring exploration of how art can act as a magical, healing force in our lives.

The Flirtation of Eve by Ariana GonBon

Ariana GonBon's "The Flirtation of Eve" captivates with its inventive twist on a well-worn narrative, transforming a biblical tale into an exploration of agency and knowledge. The bold decision to focus on Eve’s flirtation with hidden knowledge, rather than the serpent itself, highlights a profound curiosity and desire for autonomy. The author’s self-edit underscores a deep engagement with the themes of choice and privacy, enhancing the narrative by distilling it down to a concentrated, impactful piece. GonBon’s willingness to pare down her initial draft to an evocative 100-word story demonstrates both restraint and an understanding of how constraints can fuel creative innovation.

air-dry by Erin Latham Shea

Erin Latham Shea's piece earns its runner-up placement through its introspective and daring exploration of memory and self-expression. The original excerpt bravely embraces fragmentation and evasiveness, allowing for a multi-layered narrative that straddles fiction and poetry. The self-editing process reveals a deep self-awareness, as Erin articulates her intentional use of punctuation and metaphor to probe the complex dynamics of relationships and personal history. The vulnerability in questioning what to reveal or obscure showcases a thoughtful examination of writing as both a confessional and evasive act, highlighting Erin's innovative narrative style and poetic sensibility.

Experimentally Lost by Alison McBain

Alison McBain's story 'Experimentally Lost' earns its runner-up placement for its bold exploration of innovative storytelling and introspective self-editing journey. By initially crafting a narrative that intertwined serious tone with humorous commentary through Microsoft Word's Track Changes, McBain took an audacious leap into experimental territory. Her subsequent realization and willingness to transform the piece into a more conventional format, thus leading to publication success, showcases a deep understanding of the delicate balance between creativity and clarity. The narrative highlights the courage to revise ambitiously and the wisdom to recognize when simplicity best serves the story's heart, embodying a rich exploration of a writer's evolutionary process.

How Did These Words Come Together? by Barb Dukeman

Barb Dukeman's entry impressively intertwines personal experience with the craft of microfiction, creating a poignant narrative about a blind protagonist. The exploration of her own son's potential future is both daring and tender, showcasing a unique blend of imagination and reality. Dukeman's self-edit reveals a deep contemplation of sensory details and the complexities of her son's world, which enriches the spooky atmosphere she aims to convey. Her thoughtful approach to incorporating real-life elements while maintaining narrative suspense demonstrates a courageous and heartfelt exploration of storytelling boundaries.

Found in Translation by Cristal Beikd

Cristal Beikd's work stands out for its brave exploration of linguistic identity and its impact on creativity. Her journey into poetry, particularly in a language that isn't her first, reveals a beautiful intersection of languages, cultures, and personal expression. The bold decision to embrace unique linguistic nuances and personal cultural elements in her writing is particularly noteworthy. This reflection on how one's native language can infuse depth and distinctiveness into creative work demonstrates a profound understanding of the power of words beyond conventional grammar, celebrating the unique voice that emerges from such daring self-exploration.

Filtering Free Verse Poems Through Form by Dark Constellations

Dark Constellations' entry radiates an adventurous exploration of poetry's many forms, skillfully transforming a single narrative through varied structures such as ghazal, haiku, and villanelle. The author's self-edit reveals a thoughtful examination of how structural constraints can lead to unexpected imagery and lyrical depth, illustrating their growth and adaptability as a writer. By experimenting so boldly across diverse poetic traditions, they celebrate the liberating potential of form, all while inviting us to ponder the possibilities of reconciling free verse with structured poetry.

Feeling a God Cry by Everyday Junglist

Everyday Junglist's story courageously delves into the profound theme of divine emotion and its unbearable impact on mortals. The compelling narrative of Baj experiencing the goddess's overwhelming grief is a bold exploration of divine-human relationships, reminiscent of ancient mythologies. The author's self-edit insightfully connects personal grief to the narrative, adding layers of authenticity and depth to the exploration. This piece stands out for its poignant self-reflection and the creative risk of intertwining personal emotion with mythic storytelling.

beginning-endings by Gabriel Huizenga

Gabriel Huizenga's entry shines with its audacious embrace of the concept of 'beginning-endings'—a term both coined and deftly unpacked within the narrative. The submission stands out for its playful yet introspective exploration of writing and language, celebrating the joy and complexity of verbosity while inviting readers to share in the creative process. The candid self-reflection on the author's stylistic inclinations and the courage to experiment with narrative structure highlight a writer unafraid of bold literary risks, making this a truly engaging and innovative piece. This compelling openness to discovery over construction beautifully captures the messy, exhilarating journey of storytelling.

Dissecting Frog Songs by Judah LoVato

Judah LoVato's "Dissecting Frog Songs" earns its runner-up placement through a fascinating narrative exploration of personal growth as a writer. The piece demonstrates an insightful self-editing process, as Judah deftly hones the story's focus by trimming excess while amplifying the narrative voice. Judah courageously experiments with rhythm and language, inviting readers into an evolving creative process by maintaining an old cowboy's charm and humor. Their reflection on the importance of reading aloud and clarity of focus resonates throughout, showcasing a deepening understanding of craft and storytelling.

A Moment On My Soapbox by Matthew Fromm

Matthew Fromm's entry takes a bold stance on the interplay between historical accuracy and narrative fiction, exploring the tension between creative liberties and the authenticity of representation. The self-edit reveals a deep engagement with historical context, showing a willingness to sacrifice narrative punch for factual integrity, which demonstrates a profound respect for the subject matter. Fromm's work shines in its intellectual curiosity and the meticulous nature of his revisions, as he carefully balances historical fidelity with narrative effectiveness.

Raw to Remix- 53 & Me by Marilyn Glover

Marilyn Glover's piece shines brightly in this challenge, earning its runner-up position through its raw honesty and creative transformation. Her initial prose bravely exposes societal pressures on aging, capturing the inner conflict with vivid imagery and a conversational tone. Through her self-edit, she boldly shifts to a free-flow poem that not only refines the original message but amplifies it with rhythm and lyrical grace.

🏅 Honorable Mentions

As our challenges continue to grow, we are celebrating even more incredible writers with Honorable Mentions—a special spotlight for stories that stand out for their creativity, originality, or emotional impact. Writers who receive an Honorable Mention get a special badge that appears on their profile, showcasing their achievement and contributions to the Vocal community.

• How My Brain Works by Natalie Gray
• The Wavering Point! by Neli Ivanova
• “What about Nicole?” by Nicky Frankly
• Picking the Right Moment to Start by Stephen A. Roddewig
• Re+Centering Earth by We the PPUL
• "The Fan" Gets Another Chance... by Kendall Defoe
• The Final Cut by Lamar Wiggins
• A Deeper Gaze at "Her Gaze" by Paul Stewart
• My Editing Voices by Laura Rodben
• Those Bloody Loopholes! by Lisa Pulliam

To explore more Challenges, please visit Vocal Challenges.