Thanks to all 89 of you who submitted a first line for our contest! The competition was fraught, but we’re happy to report that the voting was not impacted by dangling chads or Russians, so without further ado, we present the winning line:

Grandmother’s rocking chair is made of iron.

Thanks Josh Johnson for crafting an awesome and specific image! What’s grandmother up to with that rocking chair? We’ll soon find out. Mary Robinette Kowal will write the story that goes with this opening line, and the story will appear in the final issue of Shimmer, this November.

Thanks for your support!