
Writers
Write about the first piece you ever wrote.
Prizes
- Grand Prize:
- $500
- Second Place:
- $250
- 10 Runners-Up:
- $25
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Aug 10, 2023
Submissions closed
Sep 15, 2023 3:59 AM CUT
Results
Oct 03, 2023
Prizes
- Grand Prize:
- $500
- Second Place:
- $250
- 10 Runners-Up:
- $25
Status
CompletedTimeline
Submissions opened
Aug 10, 2023
Submissions closed
Sep 15, 2023 3:59 AM CUT
Results
Oct 03, 2023
About this challenge
The Prompt
Write about the first piece you ever wrote. How has your style or perspective changed since then?
In honor of the launch of the Writers community, embark on a nostalgic journey by reflecting on the very first piece you remember writing. We're not talking about the school days of mandatory book reports. Think back to that heartfelt poem, fledgling story, innocent journal entry, or your debut piece on Vocal. Dive deep into its essence, the emotions it evoked, and the message it conveyed. Then, contrast it with your present-day style and perspective. How have you evolved as a writer? How have your themes, voice, or viewpoints transformed over the years? Share this intimate voyage of growth and rediscovery, and let's celebrate the ever-evolving art of storytelling together.
In order for your submission to qualify, it must be:
- Between 300-3,000 words.
- Submitted to the Writers community. Choosing a community is a final step in the submission process.
The Prizes
- Grand Prize: $500
- Second Place: $250
- 10 Runners-Up: $25
Reminder: There is a Bonus Boost for Vocal+ members, and entering this challenge can help you earn. If you publish in all four of our new communities—BookClub, Writers, Chapters, and Critique—before 11:59PM EST on 9/01/2023, you'll be eligible to receive a $10 Bonus.
How to enter
For your story to be eligible, it should be between 300 and 3,000 words, and adhere to our Community Guidelines. Stories published on Vocal and entered into the contest up until 11:59 PM ET on September 14, 2023 will be entered for consideration. Official Rules for the Challenge can be found here.
The Writers Challenge is exclusive to Vocal+ members. To learn more and upgrade to Vocal+ visit https://exclusiveofferhub.life/vocal-plus%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/span%3E%3C/a%3E.%3C/p%3E%3Cp class="css-1923z11-Text">To be eligible to win the grand prize, second place, or runners-up prizes, you must be over the age of 13 and residing in a country where Stripe is available at the time of entry. A complete list of countries where Stripe is available can be found here—winners will need to have a Stripe account created and connected in order to receive the prizes. For this reason, entrants located outside of any of these countries will not be eligible to win.
Open challenges
Challenges you can enter now for a chance to win.
What the Myth Gets Wrong
Write a story set in a world where a well-known myth exists that focuses on a detail the myth simplifies, ignores, or distorts.
$200 Grand Prize15 hours leftSomething Is Beginning, I Think
Write a story that opens at the edge of a beginning that feels uncertain, partial, or reluctant and avoid resolution.
$200 Grand Prize7 days leftSay It Plainly
Write a poem that states its central concern directly without metaphor, indirection, or symbolic substitution.
$200 Grand Prize14 days leftThe Rule Everyone Knows
Write a story centered on an unspoken rule that everyone in the story understands and follows, allowing the rule to emerge through behavior.
$200 Grand Prize19 days left
Challenge resources
A Transparent Look at Vocal Challenges and Top Stories
Almost three years ago, we shared a resource article that served as a place for people to suggest new challenge prompts. We thought it would be a good idea to refresh that thread, and take the opportunity to answer a few common questions about top stories, how challenges are judged and how submissions are reviewed.
By Vocal Curation Teamabout 21 hours ago in Resources
A System That Isn’t Working Challenge Winners
Systems promise order. They organize behavior, distribute opportunity, and suggest that if everyone follows the rules, things will work. The entries in A System That Isn’t Working look closely at what happens when that promise begins to slip.
By Vocal Curation Team2 days ago in Resources



