I've Given Up On Vocal

Changes are needed, hopefully they are coming soon. It took me four years and a lot of top stories to finally win 2 challenges and place in some more. I write because i love to, My writing got better with time. I tried Medium and felt lost. Everyone has to do what is best for them. I stay because of the no stress style of writing and publishing.

I have no idea what's been going on with Vocal lately; I'm still playing catch-up from my little media break. But I do know if I was only coming here because I felt like Vocal appreciated me, I'd been long gone by now. I feel more appreciation from my subscriptions and subscribers, and they are the ones I show up for.

Hi Mike, it is my hope that you know I appreciate you as a writer, as the supportive admin of many groups, as the cheering section for so many new users. Frustration and disappointment is rampant everywhere, and Vocal is in its usual Winter doldrums. I, personally, do not disparage Top Story recognition. I don't believe it is done solely through artificial sorting, but most likely there is some code written to bubble up candidates: the Vocal team is not big enough to go through every piece for consideration. For those writers that receive one or more Top Story recognition, these musing may lead them to feeling devalued, not good enough, undeserving, or mislead. To those writers I implore: don't give in to those temptations! You are deserving, you should be happy, you can be proud of your achievements. Thank you for a comment-prompting start to the new year, and excellent music which is always a much appreciated bonus.

This may be an older article and some of what you say may be true . The fact is, this seems to be the new reality with every business. Not that I agree with the way it is going. I still believe this is a good platform, however, other than reading articles to support the creators, I am taking a writing break from Vocal.

This is still relevant even though written quite awhile ago. I agree with many of the comments. D.J. says it best.

Don't abandon hope, mikeydred: your vigilance and insightful analysis are great boons for this community of writers!

I've been feeling like this, too. Really feels like they don't care about our craft and just want money out of us. Thankfully, the community is the heartbeat. It's what keeps me coming back, but I've stopped paying for plus

I'm so sorry for your negative experience. Have you thought about giving a try to Medium? I'm writing there, too, and it is quite different but I saw people moving over there because it didn't work them here, but it worked out over there. Just an idea, probably there are platforms I don't even know of.

Oh Mike I know how you feel. I have a mail reply from vocal from last week and it’s cold uncaring they say the haven’t responded to my mails from November may I add because it’s been busy with Christmas holidays. Vocal.Media hate my work I enter stories nothing gets close I write yet other creators praise my work. I can’t make any money as top story’s are for regulars on a rotation basis. So I joined again in September my big mistake. I pay for vocal to store my poetry and storage for me it seems because they certainly do not support me. Why because I asked them why do the same people win all the stories and poetry TS . It’s upsetting it hurts and it’s bad. We can’t let them treat us all this way

This is so weird mate, I was in the middle of that song when I opened your story. I've been listening to it a lot lately. But otherwise, please don't give up on this site - I know it's frustrating but you have an audience here and everyone enjoys reading your work 🩷 you have a Vocal family here. Also if they're running my work through AI in order to choose me for a top story then I am severely disappointed about not being told. Everything that is fed through AI trains the AI and I don't really want it to copy all of my 'definitelys'. Hope you're alright x

You're not leaving, are you?

AH well. Sometimes I wonder if you gotta be a certain shade to win, but all sorta shades rant and complain...so, I dunno anymore.

I understand your perspective. I never realised Vocal uses tools to pick out the top stories; that alone diminishes the recognition of our creativity. Thanks for writing this!

"With their use of AI for choosing Top Stories" Is that your theory? Or have they actually stated that? I could believe it, certainly, but I'm curious how you came to that conclusion.

And now they've brought in Exclusive Stories. Hmmm. I'll never use that

Thanks for sharing, Mike. I didn't know they used AI to pick Top Stories. I guess it helps to get more reads, but it's still disappointing. I've read and enjoyed many of your stories, so thanks for writing!

I share your sentiments. This is my second time paying for a Vocal plus annual subscription and what it takes to earn here is too cumbersome.

Well, the Vocal community and the EYE of Vocal Media are two very different realities. You are loved and appreciated by so many real people. I don't know who Vocal Media is per se other than some NYC dial a readers who are unlikely to manage reading everything written if it's lie budget. But, moving on to greater things..I was feeling very pathetic and now am amused how literary journal material doesn't get T.S. on this palataforma. Yes, palataforma is my word. Let them eat poke bowls and sparkling water while we dedicated our lives to the grit.

Sucks to hear this is how Vocal works in terms of choosing Top Stories, but I do appreciate the sense of community on this platform. Thank you for writing!

I understand what you're feeling. I wrote an article called the "The Artful Pursuit of Writing" that touched on some of the same points, but in a less serious way. It can be quite discouraging at times, but like you say, I'm mostly writing for me (even though the recognition is tenfold when it happens). I do hate that they're allowing Al generated stories. For me, that's not really creative writing.

I understand your frustration, Mike. I think part of the problem is that the moderators are likely unable to manage such an incredible volume of daily creations without delegating many tasks to the "systems" and "algorithms" they have established. I am overwhelmed and unable to keep up with the sheer volume of work my contacts put out, and I miss some incredible pieces, sadly. It is easy for us to say Vocal needs to expand its staff to keep up, but I don't know if that is feasible. Perhaps that is the solution. Relying on seemingly-unreliable algorithms is leaving some people frustrated, I am sure. Although this may offer you little solace, your contributions and friendships here are far more valuable than any site recognition. Like you, I participate in some Challenges and skip others. If I am inspired by something and have the time, I participate, but I do so without any expectations. I write for myself first. Sure, feedback can be validating and reassuring, but I would write without the feedback. I am sure the same is true for you. Stay the course. You know you are a great writer, and you don't need Vocal to confirm that.

Enthusiasm waning here instead of waxing.

Yeah, you go guy. Good work on all your articles.

Not so good news in terms of fairness. But we'll live, Mike.

I figured they had an algorithm to pick top stories, but I guess that was always just one step away from AI. Well, glad you haven’t given up on the community, just the overlords