Quarter 1 Performance Report

Last year (2025), I challenged myself to write at least one story for each of the 48 Vocal communities. I have achieved that goal, but a lot of new community stories were cramped into the last two weeks of the year.

So, this year I decided to take a better planning approach. I have set quarterly goals for myself and decided to track my own "performance" on Vocal using the key parameters of "productivity" and engagement. It's not like I have a Vocal boss to report to, this report of course is mostly for myself and anyone who'd care or be interested in reading it.

I'm going to do it only for this 2026 year because it does take time and discipline to keep track of my Vocal activities, but this could be a good exercise in developing good habits.

Below are my first quarter tallies on key parameters by month.

January tally: 26 stories published in 13 communities; 2 Top Stories; entered 6 official challenged; earned 732 reads; liked 228 stories of other authors (I always "like" a story I've read to the end, and comment on most of them). I also hosted "Immortality Granted!" unofficial challenge; the excellent stories submitted are all here:

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February tally: 25 stories published in 13 communities (6 new), with January 19 total communities covered; 2 Top Stories; entered 4 official challenges; 1 Runner-up and 1 Honorable Mention in official challenges; won Liam Storm's unofficial challenge; earned 611 total reads; 156 stories of other authors I liked and commented on. This was my "birthday and depression month."

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March tally: 34 stories published in 15 communities (7 new added), currently a total of 26 communities covered; 1 Top Story; entered 3 official challenges; won 4 placements in official challenges; 882 total reads; 184 stories of other authors I liked.

I hosted another unofficial challenge titled "Fucked-Up Wedding Toasts" and had a lot of fun with it. You can read all 23 excellent challenge entries in this index story:

After giving it a lot of thought, I've finally deleted my unfinished novel "Boomerang of Happiness" and started to remove Trumputin phone conversations and some other stories for which I have other plans.

In March, this happened: I've finally made $100 in reads! Almost five years on Vocal (since June 2021), and I've finally reached this milestone.

Please don't worry, I've received more in prizes and tips and have been able to at least recoup my annual subscription for the last three years (the first year I had a free subscription I won in the annual Vocal fiction challenge).

But to all the inspiring authors out there: It will take some time, dedication and patience to build your Vocal readership and to start earning some money. But even with this, I doubt you'd be able to make a living on this platform. Don't quit your day job just yet!