Below is an context that describes a sql query, paired with an question that provides further information. Write an answer that appropriately completes the request.  # noqa: E501
### Context:
CREATE TABLE table_name_86 (published VARCHAR, in_order_of_publication VARCHAR)
### Question:
How many total publications were the first of the series?
### Answer:
SELECT COUNT(published) FROM table_name_86 WHERE in_order_of_publication = "first"