2026 First Lines:

Spring:
I flipped through the notebook and found half-finished poems, some drawings, and ______________. [Fill in the blank.]
Due date: February 1, 2026

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:

November 2

We're reading . . . Back in a bit.

In the meantime . . . Check out the lines for 2026.

A road well-traveled . . . The fall issue is now 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

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.

Yep, we're on Patreon . . . You can read more about it here.

We've got a new episode of TFL on Tape . . . David reads David Daniel's story, "The Sprouting." Listen here: TFLonTape.

 

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

 

2024 BACK ISSUES

The parking lot is full . . . The winter 2024 issue is still available.

Vol. 26, Iss. 4:
The parking lot was empty.

Print (US Only): $8.00 (comes with a free issue of The Last Line)

PDF: $4.00 (comes with a free issue of The Last Line)

 

What ever happened to Alice? The fall issue is still available.

Vol. 26, Iss. 3:
When she was eight, Alice Henderson briefly held the world record for filling her mouth with marbles.

Print (US Only): $7.50

PDF: $3.00

 

Thank you . . . The summer issue is still available:

Vol. 26, Iss. 2:
"Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today."

Print (US Only): $7.50

PDF: $3.00

 

Mr. Morton is in luck, and so are you . . . The spring issue is still available:

Vol. 26, Iss. 1:
Mr. Morton needed a new
pair of shoes.

Print (US Only): $7.50

PDF: $3.00

 

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

Subscriptions:

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

PDF (4 TFLs/1 TLL)
$12.00


Back issues are available here.

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

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:

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

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