ViM's Bulletin Board
Announcing the Winners of Everyone Gets a Soapbox, the next prompt, and assorted details
We've been busy behind the scenes at ViM. Running here and there. Signing papers for this place, taking pictures for that one. Packing bags and loading boxes. While I'm preparing for a move into a new-to-me house on the other side of town, Celia and River are dealing with the stress of traveling to a different country. Plus the animals. Both of us, ViM admins, were blessed with a love for our furbabies, so of course, we have to include them in our plans.
Sadly, I've been so busy, I cannot tell you who has written anything unless it made a top story or you shared it with me for me to read. I've hardly even had the time to write a story with all that I've been doing. Who knew that packing up 31 years of marriage and ending it would be so much work? As soon as I have moved, I intend to get back to reading daily.
As much as I hate moving and how much work I say it has been, it's been nowhere near the struggle that River and Celia have gone through. The research they have had to do in order to find a place just right for them shouldn't have happened. They should be able to feel comfortable with loving each other, no matter where they live.
🏡
With all this being written, we had a little issue with the judging of July's Prompt, Everyone Gets a Soapbox. Celia and River were unable to vote with only days before their move. Lauren is away. Judey and I were the only two available judges. So I put forth and asked my youngest daughter if she would be one of our judges this go around (btw, she enjoyed it, and has offered to do so again). I also asked Oneg or Jim if either one of them could vote, and Oneg said they could. So, this round, we had two substitute judges, Oneg and Bonnie.
Speaking of Oneg and Jim, check out Oneg and James's awesome challenge James & Oneg’s Summer Writing Extrav-again-AGAIN-za!
While you're checking out, join in the summer fun. ⤵⤵
🪧
ViM has decided to have a prompt that lasts from August to November. In this challenge, we ask that you read other users' work on Vocal, and write about two writers that you are most touched by, what work of theirs drew you in, and why we should read them.
1. Write about 2 Vocal Creators that you enjoy reading. What qualities of theirs do you like? Dislike? What's your favorite read? Tell us all about your attraction to your 2 must-read Vocal Authors. {1 piece - 1 entry}
2. Entries accepted August 7, 2025 - October 28, 2025. Plenty of time to get those entries in.
3. Cannot be fiction. Must be about actual Vocal writers.
4. No AI-written pieces.
5. Voting will begin on October 29, 2025, and continue till November 10, 2025.
6. Prizes
- First Place = $5
- Second Place = $2
- Third Place = $1
So join in and uplift your fellow writers with this prompt. Give a shoutout to your fave two, and let them know that what they write is worth something to someone.
🥂
Now for the highlight each of you has been waiting for. Announcing ViM's July Prompt winners!
First Place:
Paul Stewart
Second Place:
K.B. Silver
Third Place:
Tim T. Carmichael
Read Judey's piece here:
If you would like to read more about the challenge, you can do so at this link:
The other entries, in no particular order:
The Compass That Called My Name
Stop the World, I Want to Get Off
Stop by and check out each Soapbox article, and feel free to leave the authors some love. Each entry was great and well worth a read. Sadly, we could only pick the top three.
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A/N
I asked Jim Delaney-Howell to vote. James R. Uzzi is hosting the challenge with Oneg. Sorry for any misunderstanding. I forgot not everyone knows both Jim and James <3.
About the Creator
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Comments (16)
Congratulations
Congratulations to the winners!°❤️❤️💕
Oh, question. About new challenge. Do you want two separate pieces or one piece that talks about our two favourite writers?
Hot potato potato. I am speechless stunned. Especially after writign such a long fucking piece, haha. Thank you, ViM and to anyone that has read my absolutely take-no-prisoners rant. lol. I had a whole lot of angry, unfiltered fun with that and would have entered into the vocal challenge about things we don't say, but it was toooooo big. So, a win from ViM is an even better thing, in many ways. Congrats to the other winners and then the movers and shakers, there are no losers. I shall do my best to read everyone's. Also, MC, Sharon, the boss. It's nice to hear updates from you and sorry you've got all that to deal with. River and Celia, you know I love you guys and wish you the best, and hope it gets sorted with your big mahooosive move, you both deserve it. Thank you again. Also, that new challenge is awesome. Already vaguely have at least one writer in mind for my first pick. I love the "lifting up" feel to it. Also, never feel bad about rl and non-Vocal stuff getting in the way. You work so hard for ViM and the wider Vocal community, Sharon and the others too, that it's appreciated. It's also appreciated that sometimes life gets in the way. Hoping for things to get sorted for you, though, soon, so you can have some calm. Thanks again and well done on a cracking challenge. You can expect an entry from me for the next one :)
Sorry you have to go through these challenges, Sharon, and admire you for your dedication to the challenges and Vocal.
Congrats to all the winners
Congratulations Paul, KB, and Tim! 🎉💖🎊🎉💖🎊 Oooo, the new prompt is so nice! But the thing is, I like everyone and I feel everyone should read everything that everyone writes, lol. I hope that made sense. So yea, that's my entry. Every piece of every Vocal creator should be read. I rest my case 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I wish you all the best with your move 🥰🥰🥰
I'm still working behind the scenes on my book and miss writing and the challenges. Glad to see all of the great work, new names participating in the challenges, and stories. Hopefully, editing will finish someday! Look forward to reading the entries. Congrats to the winners!
Congratulations to the winners, and thank you to the substitute judges ❤️. There isn’t much I hate more than moving
Yes, I hope they’ve found a good place (and you too!). Moving is a biggie! Hope all will be more settled shortly. 😊 Congrats to all the winners. And an interesting new prompt Sharon.
Lots of news here! So you were busy! I’ve been also away lately, just having a quick look every now and then, and noticed I never saw your name. So I wondered. We’ll do a catch up at some point. It seems like the moving house is more of a change of life. I hope you’ll have time soon to relax and rest, but … it all sounds a lot of work, energy, and also emotionally charged so I will say, at least take some time for yourself alone every day. Have a cup of tea. Or coffee, if tea is not your cup of tea. Nice Bonnie could help you. 🌷
Ayyy good luck with the moves! Not an easy thing at all…congrats to all the winners (except Paul….jk congrats to Paul too)
Mum - I don't do challenges but, with the $1 prize I could be tempted. Please write about your 'Move' when time permits; I'm very interested. Best to Celia and her fur-babies...! I can't imagine how stressful it can be...! But, I know Kitty-'Poe' is into spicy food so he might love it there! - Son -
Congratulations everyone! I enjoyed reading your entries 😀
Thank you for the challenge. I know it's a lot of extra work for you, but it is a real boost through these hot summer months. 🙏🙏💖
On this! And a hearty congrats to the winners!