The First Page
A writer sends us the opening of a story. TGEP reads it as a publisher and as a reader. Selected openings are published here, with the writer's permission, followed by a brief editorial response: what drew us in, what raised questions, where attention weakened, and what made us want to continue.
A book has to begin somewhere.
Before the reviews, publicity, cover, price, distribution and sales, somebody
has to begin reading. The first page does not have to explain the whole book.
It does not have to contain a shock, a murder, a secret or a clever sentence.
It has a simpler job. It has to make the reader willing to remain.
The First Page is TGEP's continuing look at that beginning.
It is a place for writers to test an opening, for readers to encounter new
writing, and for editors and publishers to think about what actually holds
attention on the page.
One opening. One reading. A useful response.
The writer sends an opening
Send the first 500–800 words of fiction, memoir or narrative nonfiction. Do not send the complete manuscript for this feature.
TGEP reads and selects
We choose openings that give readers and writers something worth discussing. Selection is editorial and does not imply a publishing offer.
Permission comes first
TGEP will obtain the writer's permission before publishing any selected extract. Submission by itself does not grant TGEP publication rights.
The page goes before readers
The opening appears with a short TGEP editorial reading focused on what the writing is doing and whether it gives us a reason to continue.
This week's first page
Edge of the Universe
Tyjae McClanahan introduces a speculative story in which John faces an abyss at the edge of space while Justin demands that he jump. The scene brings together power, guilt, a threatened universe and the mysterious Infinity Tree. Their disagreement raises an intriguing question about a man who thinks himself a saviour while another sees him as a danger.
Open the standalone Edge of the Universe page →
Author's first-page extract, presented in the original wording and punctuation.
The Word Edge is so unique that it can mean many different things. You can be on the edge of doing something so evil that you would never be forgiven , but you change your mind right before you do it. You may be on the edge of discovering your magnum opus. Perhaps you're on the edge of finishing your masterpiece, but you keep adding to it. We are always on the edge of making history, or history being changed, or everything going just right. Every second, you're on the edge of death or on the edge of life, but you'll never know which… But anyways, welcome to the edge of the universe and to the man who will change The Universe and much more.
A tall, slim man is on the end of a spaceship plank, on his knees, staring forward into pure nothingness. Yet somehow, it's expanding both ways like it's getting closer and getting farther. It feels like it's almost calling out. It feels so tempting to fall into. It feels so relaxing. It feels like it goes on for infinity . He doesn’t know how to comprehend what he’s looking at. He’s just lost and Intrigue .Then, he feels a tap on his back. He looks up as a strong figure stands over him.
“John... stand and jump.” The voice filled with authority. John stands but doesn't jump, I said jump, the voice sounds unrelenting. John doesn’t move. His voice trembles, breaking under the weight of Facade of fear , but soon Switch is activated. The performance begins.
No... I can’t, he pleads. I know I have more to give. I can’t leave it like this. Justin, you have to understand I’M NOT DONE. I finally had a chance to save them! I won’t run again! Justin, please, let me go back and Do the job that has been given to me. Justin, your dad lost. It's me. My father won me the battle. My dad's rule is over. It's my turn Justin's face goes red as he BAM!
Shut the fuck up, John! You failed. It’s over... It’s too late. I’m sorry.Justin grabs him by the back of his neck, gripping John tightly, picking him up over the edge, ready to throw him off. I can't believe you really came with me. You're a fucking idiot. the Stories have to be true
John, with a hint of pain and Conviction, starts to yell, Justin, please! You’ve gotta understand, I have to do this! I wanna save them... I wanna save the universe... I wanna save you, your kids, your family... your whole bloodline. In a way, when you think about it, you're grabbing onto your whole generation right now. Let me go, and everything gets fixed with me as king. Now let me find the Infinity Tree so I can be the god I’m meant to be!
Justin’s grip tightens. His voice turns cold.If I let you go... I would’ve failed everyone and everything. Justin’s voice grows harsher with anger, hate, and disgust. From the bottom of my heart... I can’t let you win. That would just be wrong. After everything you’ve done, you don’t get this fucking heroic ending.
You don’t deserve that. Everywhere you go... pain and death follow.You're the problem, Justin growled as he let go of John. But John leaned back, letting his upper body slam against the ship. His legs dangled off the edge, but he managed to keep part of his body on the ship. He had closed his eyes to brace for impact, only opening them once he hit the metal surface.
When he looked up, he saw Justin raising his foot, ready to stomp down on him. John rolled to the side, barely dodging the blow but there wasn’t much room left for him to keep moving. He tried to think, feeling trapped... until a crazy idea hit him. Justin lifted his foot again, preparing to slam it down with all his might.
I'm sorry, Justin muttered. For what it's worth maybe in Another universe, this is me doing it to you... but I must save the universe.BAM! BAM! BAM! Justin stomped the ground like there was no tomorrow, but John grabbed his leg and refused to let go.BAM! BAM!Come on! Let go, you monster ! Justin snarled.
This time, Justin tried kicking John forward, but John clung tighter, his grip like iron. As Justin lifted his leg to kick again, John used it as a base, twisting his body and launching himself backward in one desperate motion.
Editorial note. The extract is presented without copyediting. Appearance in The First Page does not constitute a publishing offer, manuscript acceptance or appraisal of the complete work.
Read TGEP's editorial responseReading Edge of the Universe
TGEP's reading considers what draws us into Tyjae McClanahan's opening and what might make the scene clearer and more compelling as the work develops. It is a short editorial response, not a manuscript assessment.
What made us interested?
The image of John at the edge of a spaceship, looking into an impossible expanse, gives the story an immediate sense of danger and scale. The conflict over whether he is saviour or destroyer invites curiosity.
Where did attention weaken?
The opening meditation on the word “edge” delays the scene. Some dialogue changes speaker without clear punctuation, and repetition makes the physical action difficult to follow. Sharper attribution would help.
What questions did the page create?
What has John done to make Justin fear his return? What is the Infinity Tree, and why does John believe it would give him the right to rule? These questions could carry readers into the next chapter.
Would we continue?
The central confrontation has promise. We would read further to discover what led these men to the edge of the universe, provided that revision gives the voices and physical action greater clarity.
Send us your first page.
This feature is open to writers who want their opening considered for possible publication and brief editorial discussion on the TGEP website.
Length: approximately 500–800 words.
Material: fiction, memoir or narrative nonfiction. The writer must have the right to submit the work.
Send: title, writer's name, genre, approximate manuscript length if known, and the opening extract. The opening may be pasted into the form or uploaded as a DOC, DOCX or PDF file.
Do not send: a complete manuscript through this feature. Formal publication submissions should continue through TGEP's manuscript submission route.
Rights: submission alone does not give TGEP the right to publish the extract. Separate permission will be requested if an opening is selected.
Selection: TGEP may select, decline or hold an opening for later consideration. Selection for this feature does not constitute manuscript acceptance or an offer of publication.
Submit your first page.
Enter your details below and either paste the first 500–800 words of the work or upload the opening extract as a file. There is no need to send the complete manuscript or a sales pitch.
Paste or upload the opening extract
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Editorial selection only
Complete the form and submit the opening directly to The Good Earth Publishers. You may paste the opening below or upload it as a DOC, DOCX or PDF file. Fields marked * are required.
Writers seeking formal publication consideration should use TGEP's official manuscript submission process rather than this feature.
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