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Introducing the Vocal Writing Awards

Since 2021, Vocal has given back over $2M to creators through writing Challenges. Now, we're excited to introduce a new writing contest that allows winners to share in a percentage of the entry fees. The more you help us spread the word about Vocal, the larger the prize pool grows.

How to enter

How to enter

Step 1 Icon

Join Vocal, it's free

Sign up to Vocal for free. If you already have an account, you're good to go. 

Step 2 Icon

Publish your story on Vocal

Craft your story following the Vocal Awards category prompt of your choice, and publish it on Vocal.

Step 3 Icon

Submit to Awards category

After publishing your story on Vocal, navigate to this page, select the category, and submit your published story's URL along with the entry fee.

Step 4 Icon

Spread the word

Promote and encourage your friends and family to join the Vocal Awards to increase the prize pool. Plus, you'll get $5 for every writer you nominate who enters.

Vocal+ icon badge
Vocal+ subscribers receive 50% off one entry per category. Upgrade now

Your voice, your choice

Our team of expert judges, led by former Times literary editor Erica Wagner, will curate a shortlist for each category. From there, we'll be passing the reigns to the participants and Vocal community to choose the winners through community voting.

Vocal Awards Timeline

Submissions open
7/13/23
Submissions close
9/30/23
Judges announce shortlists
10/15/23
Community judging begins
10/15/23
Community judging ends
11/16/23
Winners announced
11/17/23
1 / 8
Current Prize Pool:
2100

Flash Fiction

Tell a complete fiction story about any topic in just 250 words or less. Unleash your creativity and submit your concise, yet powerful narratives to the Flash Fiction category.

Submit
$20 per entry. Secured by Stripe.
Vocal partners with Stripe for secure payments.
Powered by Stripe icon
You must submit a story published on Vocal.
How to enter
a group of people standing in the middle of a desert.
2 / 8
Current Prize Pool:
2104

Science Fiction

Submit your stories that explore futuristic landscapes, alternate realities, or extraordinary realms, showcasing your imaginative prowess and narrative skills.

Submit
$20 per entry. Secured by Stripe.
Vocal partners with Stripe for secure payments.
Powered by Stripe icon
You must submit a story published on Vocal.
How to enter
a room filled with lots of books and a chandelier.
3 / 8
Current Prize Pool:
2170

Fantasy Fiction

Step into the realm of Fantasy, where magic reigns and mythical creatures roam. Unleash your imagination, crafting narratives that whisk readers away to extraordinary worlds.

Submit
$20 per entry. Secured by Stripe.
Vocal partners with Stripe for secure payments.
Powered by Stripe icon
You must submit a story published on Vocal.
How to enter
a very tall mountain covered in clouds under a cloudy sky.
4 / 8
Current Prize Pool:
2272

Horror Fiction

Craft spine-chilling tales that evoke fear, suspense, and the supernatural, leaving readers with goosebumps long after they've reached the last pixel.

Submit
$20 per entry. Secured by Stripe.
Vocal partners with Stripe for secure payments.
Powered by Stripe icon
You must submit a story published on Vocal.
How to enter
a ghost is standing in front of a building.
5 / 8
Current Prize Pool:
2006

Young Adult Fiction

From coming-of-age tales to fantastical adventures, submit your stories that resonate with the experiences and themes of young adulthood.

Submit
$20 per entry. Secured by Stripe.
Vocal partners with Stripe for secure payments.
Powered by Stripe icon
You must submit a story published on Vocal.
How to enter
a room filled with lots of books and a chandelier.
6 / 8
Current Prize Pool:
1971

Romance Fiction

Where love takes center stage. Weave stories that capture the essence of love, passion, and deep connections. Let your romantic tale touch hearts.

Submit
$20 per entry. Secured by Stripe.
Vocal partners with Stripe for secure payments.
Powered by Stripe icon
You must submit a story published on Vocal.
How to enter
two hands reaching up to each other.
7 / 8
Current Prize Pool:
2825

Free Verse Poetry

Where traditional rules are set aside in favor of personal expression. Transform your thoughts and emotions into compelling verses. Share your poetic voice with the world.

Submit
$20 per entry. Secured by Stripe.
Vocal partners with Stripe for secure payments.
Powered by Stripe icon
You must submit a story published on Vocal.
How to enter
a blurry photo of a woman holding a light pole.
8 / 8
Current Prize Pool:
2048

Haiku Poetry

Delve into the art of haiku and submit your captivating three-line poems that encapsulate the beauty of fleeting moments.

Submit
$20 per entry. Secured by Stripe.
Vocal partners with Stripe for secure payments.
Powered by Stripe icon
You must submit a story published on Vocal.
How to enter
a cherry blossom tree
FAQs
What are the Vocal Awards?

The Vocal Writing Awards is a writing contest hosted by Vocal, celebrating the diverse voices and extraordinary storytelling of our platform.

Who can participate in the Vocal Awards?

Anyone with a Vocal account can participate. All you need is your best story and a $20 entry fee. Vocal+ members receive 50% off one entry per category.

How do I enter the Vocal Awards?

To submit to Vocal Writing Awards, you simply head over to: awards.vocal.media

  • Select the category you’d like to participate in and tap the Submit button
  • From there, you will be directed to a Stripe checkout. Paste the URL of your published Vocal story and pay the entry fee. If you have a discount code for a free entry, enter your code.
What are the categories for the Vocal Awards?
How do I nominate a writer and get $5?

Earning $5 by nominating a writer for the Vocal Writing Awards is as simple as a few clicks. Just look for the "Nominate & get $5" button in the navigation or the purple bar at the bottom of this page. Sign up or log in, grab your unique link, and start sharing it with your network.

Whether they're friends, family, or writers you admire on platforms like Medium, Substack, or Wattpad, share your link with them via email, social media, text message, or any other way you prefer. For every writer you nominate who enters the contest, we'll send you a $5 gift card.

There's no limit to how many people you can nominate, so the potential rewards are endless. For more details on how to nominate writers, check out our resource here.

How are the Vocal Awards judged?

A team of experts, led by former Times literary editor Erica Wagner, will curate a shortlist for each category. From there, we're handing the reins over to you, the creators, to choose the winners amongst your peers through community voting.

Can I submit more than one story per category?

Yes, you can submit different stories to each category. However, the same story cannot be submitted to more than one category.

What is the deadline for submissions?

Submissions close on 9/30/2023. View the Vocal Awards timeline.

Where can I find the Rules & Guidelines for the Vocal Awards?

The Rules & Guidelines for the Vocal Awards can be found here.

Still have questions?

Get in touch with our support team.