Story Line Press was created in 1985 by Robert McDowell and Mark Jarman, two young poets who wanted to create a home for new work that might not be published by mainstream commercial or academic presses. Story Line soon gained an international reputation as an independent-minded press that championed narrative and formal poetry, innovative anthologies, and criticism written in a public voice rather than academic style. The press also had a strong allegiance to West Coast writers. Despite its limited resources, Story Line became one of the most influential literary presses of the era publishing a mix of new and established writers including Donald Justice, Rita Dove, Christian Wiman, Donald Hall, David Mason, Amy Uyematsu, and Weldon Kees.
—Dana Gioia
