Lone Star Limericks Online Submissions Accepted July 1–22

The City of Austin’s O. Henry Museum announces an open call to writers to submit original limericks that pertain to Austin or Texas for Lone Star Limericks online writing competition. The competition is free and open to the public. Writers of all ages are welcome. Submissions can be in video, image, or text form. Submit original limericks July 1 through July 22 via the online form at woobox.com/8om3et. The competition will go live at 12 midnight on July 1, 2023. Until that time, a countdown will appear on that webpage. Want to rhyme but don’t have much time? Try a limerick! This five-line poem with a rollicking rhythm and an AABBA rhyme scheme may be short, but poets from Edward Lear to the young William Sidney Porter have packed plenty of wit, whimsy, and wordplay into a small package. Although some sources trace limericks back to medieval monasteries or the verse insults swapped by squabbling Irish poets in the 18th century, they took on their current name and form in the second half of the 19th century. Sometimes bawdy but snippy, witty, and–usually–a lot of fun.   Now it’s your turn! Pay tribute to this great city and state's people, places, sights, and sounds by immortalizing (or gently mocking) them in verse! Your limerick can reference anything about Texas or Austin–your favorite (or least favorite) Texas person, city or state park, wildflower, animal, road trip experience, barbeque joint, I-35 exit, debilitating allergen–the sky’s the limit! Just keep it short and snappy, and family-friendly! From July 23 through July 31, the public will be able to view a gallery of all submissions and vote for their favorite limericks online. Submissions will be divided into two categories: (1) youth ages 12 and under and (2) general public ages 13 & up. Winners in each category will receive a Texas-themed prize package. Categories include first, second, and third places as well as two honorable mentions. On August 1, winners will will receive a Texas-themed prize package.