Scroll up
Back to Browse
"The purpose of The First Line is to help writers break through the block that is the blank page. Each issue contains short stories that stem from a common first line; it also provides a forum for discussing favorite first lines in literature."
Current Theme
Themed
"The purpose of The First Line is to help writers break through the block that is the blank page. Each issue contains short stories that stem from a common first line; it also provides a forum for discussing favorite first lines in literature."
Vibe
Send us your best but less intimidating
Response Time
Acceptance Rate
Payment
Yes: see Genres section for details
Fee
No
Simultaneous submissions
No
Previously published
No
Expedited response
No
Available in print
Yes
Provides contributor copies
Yes: yes
Examples online
No
Active on social media
No
Accepted genres
3 genres
Fiction
Max words: 5000
All stories must be written with the first line provided. The line cannot be altered in any way, unless otherwise noted by the editors. The ...
Flash Nonfiction
Max words: 800
Critical essays about your favorite first line from a literary work.
Poetry
All poems must begin with the first line provided. The line cannot be altered in any way. We have no restrictions on form or line count.
Fiction
Max words: 5000
All stories must be written with the first line provided. The line cannot be altered in any way, unless otherwise noted by the editors. The ...
Flash Nonfiction
Max words: 800
Critical essays about your favorite first line from a literary work.
Poetry
All poems must begin with the first line provided. The line cannot be altered in any way. We have no restrictions on form or line count.
Statistics
We're able to provide them because you use our tracker!
You're the best!
9
Total submissions tracked
138 days
Average response time
Average acceptance rate
30 days
Fastest response time
665 days
Slowest response time
How to submit
Process
We prefer you send manuscripts via email to submission (@) thefirstline (dot) com.
Cover letters
Make sure your name and contact information, as well as your bio, are part of the attachment.
Eligibility
No specific eligibility requirements
Formatting
We accept stories in MS Word or Word Perfect format (we prefer attachments).
Rights for published work
This magazine does not list any details on their website for this section.
Additional info
Response time. We typically send notices four to five weeks after the issue's deadline to everyone who submitted.
About the Magazine
Founded in 1999 | United States
Masthead
We currently list only main editors, more will be added later! If you are an editor, you can edit your masthead in our admin panel :)
David LaBounty
Editor-in-Chief
Examples
0 pieces from Chill Subs people