Top Stories
Stories in Writers that you’ll love, handpicked by our team.
Hey, It's Me...
We're already a week into 2025 and it's long past time I wished all my fellow creators and friends on Vocal a Happy New Year. I haven't been dragging my feet, so much as recovering from the whirlwind of chaos brought by the closing weeks of 2024.
By Dana Crandellabout a year ago in Writers
Saying Goodbye When You Die
Write Down the Bones Deck to Free the Writer Within — This is my wish for you: that you take these cards, grab the topic on one side and write, write, write. Then flip to the other side of the card and take note. I’ve always used the word topic instead of prompt. Prompt is the starting place, but topic indicates more the idea of plunging in and immersing. Natalie Goldberg
By Denise E Lindquistabout a year ago in Writers
10 Magazines That Pay for Fiction
The information in this article is correct as of January 2025. With the New Year just beginning, I know all of you writers will be making resolutions and planning how to progress in the year ahead. Making money from writing isn't everyone's goal, but a shift towards aiming for publication is certainly on my radar. While elbow deep in research, I thought it might be a good idea to share some of what I find!
By S. A. Crawfordabout a year ago in Writers
Making a list, checking it twice 🎅
Old Saint Nick sat by the warm fire, his bones feeling the cold, they were especially grumpy when the winter season awakened. The snow elves were not as jolly around this time of year, they had to work three times as hard to keep the cold weather constant as the reindeers needed the extra icy wind for traction. Nick did his best to comfort and encourage them.
By Antoni De'Leonabout a year ago in Writers
Publisher! You're Making A Mistake!
It’s taken me twenty years to say “I am a writer” without wincing. I was fourteen when I made the decision to pursue writing, and I’ve spent the last two decades reenforcing that terrible, short-sighted mistake. In that time, I’ve seen trends come and go. The YA Fantasy boom. The rise of cable and streaming dramas. The Impact of the 2008 credit crash. The erotic fiction of Chuck Tingle (Google him)! And the billion-dollar influence of BookTok. But there has been one constant. A policy, if not an industry standard, that has lasted for at least twenty years.
By Conor Matthewsabout a year ago in Writers
Don’t Buy My Book
Have you ever wondered how much of the globe’s population speaks English? I just looked it up: 18.8% Perhaps it’s my American ethnocentrism at work, but I found that stat to be a bit lower than expected. Regardless, the point I am building to is: I don’t want everyone to buy my book.
By Stephen A. Roddewigabout a year ago in Writers
Oh Jeff flash fiction challenge
But what? Don't be a loser like Jeff. Complete the story in as few words as possible and you can be a winner. Just write a micro fiction story, any word count, or a poem in any format, and submit to Vocal in the usual way.
By Raymond G. Taylorabout a year ago in Writers
Childhood and Lifetime Memories and Friendships
Creating a healthy relationship with yourself and others leads to a fulfilling life. These prompts are an invitation to step inside yourself. Take a deep breath. Shuffle the deck. Pull a card. Write your heart out. Rupi Kaur
By Denise E Lindquistabout a year ago in Writers
