Vocal Bonus Leaderboard: 07/16/2025

🥇 Top 5 Overall Vocal Creators of the Week

These creators led the leaderboard with high-performing stories, consistent engagement, and excellent storytelling across categories.

1. Mike Singleton – “The Detail Whisperer”

Mike's gripping thriller series “Under the Ashes” continues to climb the charts. With precise pacing, vivid descriptions, and character arcs that feel real, Mike has captivated audiences week after week. His blend of mystery and psychological insight sets a standard for serialized fiction on Vocal.

Notable Story: "Episode 14: Truth in the Fog" — a haunting tale of memory, betrayal, and a long-buried family secret.

2. kp – “Queen of Microfiction”

No one quite packs emotion into tight word counts like kp. This week, she stunned the community with “No One Said Goodbye”, a 300-word flash fiction piece that left readers in tears. Her poetic storytelling voice continues to shine in both fiction and personal essays.

Quote from kp’s profile bio:

"Every sentence should feel like it has a heartbeat."

3. Tim Carmichael – “Voice of the Everyday Soul”

Tim’s relatable yet profound essays have become a weekly staple for many readers. From fatherhood reflections to social commentary, Tim writes with warmth and wisdom. His latest story, “Barbershop Theology,” was both humorous and heartfelt.

Trending Story: "Three Haircuts and a Revelation" — a reflection on community, aging, and finding grace in small places.

4. Angie the Archivist 📚🪶 – “The Historian Poet”

Combining research with lyrical beauty, Angie continues to bring the past to life in verse. Her newest collection, “Muses and Martyrs,” blends Greek mythology with modern sensibility. She also published two collaborative pieces this week, earning massive engagement.

5. Amethyst Champagne – “The Dreamweaver”

Known for her whimsical prose and magical realism, Amethyst broke into the top five this week with “A Sweet Treat”, a charming story of cupcakes, memory, and unexpected kindness. Her writing always sparkles with warmth and curiosity.

📝 Top Stories by Category

Each genre on Vocal thrives thanks to a passionate reader base and writers who push creative boundaries. Here are this week’s top-performing stories by category:

🔮 Fiction

“Goulhearth’s Marvelous Institute of Wizardry” by K.H. Obergfoll

A richly imagined fantasy story about secrets, school rivalries, and ancient magic. Fans are already asking for a sequel!

🧠 Nonfiction

“AI-Generated Music Is Killing Creativity” by Krysta Dawn

A provocative piece critiquing the rapid rise of AI in music creation. Krysta sparked debate and reflection across the platform.

🖋 Poetry

“ctrl+alt+delete” by Joelle E N

A minimalist but powerful free-verse poem on reclaiming identity and shedding societal expectations. Widely shared on social media.

📚 BookClub

“June Reading Wrap-Up” by Cyn’s Workshop

Cyn celebrated a massive 15-book reading month, giving mini-reviews, genre highlights, and upcoming TBR excitement. Bookworms loved it.

👻 Horror

“Why The Blair Witch Project Is My Favorite Horror Movie” by Emy Quinn

Part film analysis, part personal reflection—Emy’s essay revisits the iconic found-footage film that still haunts her dreams.

🌟 Community Highlights

At Vocal, it’s not just about the top performers—it’s also about community growth, new voices, and genuine engagement.

📈 Rising Star: Chaotic Minnie

Her story “The Labyrinth” is a raw, emotional dive into chronic pain and mental health. It’s her first time on the leaderboard, and readers responded with overwhelming empathy.

💬 Most Commented Post:

“This Was Home” by Dana Crandell

A nostalgic poem about desert landscapes and fleeting childhoods drew over 250 comments and sparked a thread of shared memories.

🎨 Best Use of Visuals:

“Calliope, Queen of Chorus” by Angie the Archivist

This piece included original illustrations, classical references, and interactive footnotes—a rich multimedia experience.

📣 Leaderboard Tips & Insights

Every week, we notice trends that can help new writers improve their reach and storytelling impact. Here’s what worked in the week leading up to July 16, 2025:

Authenticity Over Perfection: Raw, honest storytelling outperformed highly polished but distant pieces. Readers want to feel something.

Timely Commentary Wins: Stories that connected to current conversations (like AI, mental health, and digital burnout) saw higher engagement.

Titles Matter: The most clicked stories had strong, intriguing titles. Examples:

“ctrl+alt+delete”

“Three Haircuts and a Revelation”

“The Cold Wide-Eyed Stare of MAGA Women”

Engage, Don’t Just Post: Writers who responded to comments and read other creators’ work saw more return engagement.

🎁 Vocal+ Bonuses Distributed

Each of the creators listed above will receive a cash bonus through Vocal+, our premium creator rewards program. Bonuses are based on a mix of metrics, including:

Read time

Hearts

Comments

Story saves

Community participation

Not in Vocal+ yet? Consider joining to unlock earnings, challenges, and exclusive tools to grow your writing.

✍️ Final Thoughts

Whether you made the leaderboard this week or not, your voice matters. Every time you publish, you’re adding to a growing library of real stories—moments, memories, and dreams that live on through your words.

To everyone who wrote, read, shared, or commented—thank you. You make this community what it is.

Let’s keep lifting each other up. And who knows? Maybe next week, it’ll be your name we’re highlighting.

Until then—

Keep writing. Keep sharing. Keep rising.

— The Vocal Team 💙