2026 First Lines:

Summer:
The summer between [his/her/their] junior and senior years, Alex worked as a server at Wharf Mountain.
Due date: May 1, 2026

Fall:
The line of people stretched all the way around the block.
Due date: August 1, 2026

Winter:
Lawrence was the last to arrive.
Due date: November 1, 2026

Remember, all stories must start with the appropriate first line, and you cannot change it in any way unless otherwise indicated.

 

And don't forget the 2026 last line:

It was after midnight when we finally made it home.
Due date: October 1, 2026

 

 

 

 

 

What's New At The First Line:

March 20

Five Questions with the First Line . . . We asked Joy Manning five questions for the spring issue. Give a read here.

Flip through our new issue . . . The spring 2026 issue is now available.

Vol. 28, Iss. 1:
I flipped through the notebook and found half-finished poems, some drawings, and ______________.

Print (US Only): $7.50

PDF: $3.00

Note: We're having issues with automatic download. If you order a PDF (through PayPal), it may take a couple of hours to receive the issue.

However, you can download a PDF immediatly after ordering it from Patreon.

Subscriptions:

Print (US Only) (4 TFLs/1 TLL)
$25.00

PDF (4 TFLs/1 TLL)
$12.00


Now available . . . We just released Diggory Dunn's novel, A Fine Husband, inspired by his five-part series in the 2022 issues of The First Line and The Last Line. Read more about it and purchase a copy here.

Check out Patreon to learn what else is coming to the press this year.

We've got a new episode of TFL on Tape . . . Robin reads Ida Bettis Fogle's story, "Efficiency Leads to Fulfillment." Listen here: TFLonTape.

 

2025 Issues

Meet Rocky . . . The winter 2025 issue is still available.

Vol. 27, Iss. 4:
When anyone in town needed help, they contacted
Rocky Germain.

Print (US Only): $7.50

PDF: $3.00

 

A road well-traveled . . . The fall issue is still available.

Vol. 27, Iss. 3:
Her truck took the sharp turns of the mountain road with ease.

Print (US Only): $7.50

PDF: $3.00

 

Summer getaway . . . The summer 2025 issue is still available.

Vol. 27, Iss. 2:
No one really knows why restoration stopped on the abandoned St. Julian hotel, where commoners and kings once came to relax in luxury.

Print (US Only): $7.50

PDF: $3.00

 

Remember us? . . . The spring 2025 issue is still available.

Vol. 27, Iss. 1:
Jayce recognized the man right away but couldn't remember his name.

Print (US Only): $7.50

PDF: $3.00

 

 

Back issues are available here.

We have Publish or Perish T-shirts: Click here to view and order.

Kindle subscriptions are back! . . . kind of . . . Click here to receive issues of TFL on your favorite electronic reading device.

International update . . . We're updating our policy for international hard copy subscriptions and individual issue orders. You can read about it here.

NPR . . . Just in case you missed David's interview with All Things Considered, give a listen here.

More Pencils, More Books . . . If you're a teacher we'd love to be a part of your curriculum. Click here for more information.

Other Pages of Interest:

Okay. Fine. Facebook

Just a Friendly Reminder: We ain't your normal lit mag; we gots rules.

The First Line Store

 
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