The City of Austin’s O. Henry Museum has announced an open call for writers to submit original limericks related to Austin or Texas for the Lone Star Limericks online writing competition. The event is free and accessible to the public, welcoming participants of all ages. Each winner will receive a Texas-themed prize package. Submissions can be made in video, image, or text format.
Entries will be accepted from July 1 through July 20 via an online form, with the competition going live at midnight on July 1, 2024. Until then, a countdown will appear on the competition webpage.
From July 21 through July 31, the public can view a gallery of all submissions and vote for their favorite limericks online. Submissions will be categorized into two groups: youth ages 12 and under and general public ages 13 and up. Awards include first, second, and third places along with two honorable mentions in each category. Winners will be announced on August 1.
“Want to rhyme but don’t have much time? Try a limerick!” reads an invitation from the museum. This five-line poem with an AABBA rhyme scheme may be brief but has been known to pack wit, whimsy, and wordplay into its structure.
Though some sources trace limericks back to medieval monasteries or verse insults swapped by Irish poets in the 18th century, they assumed their current name and form in the late 19th century. Often witty and fun—and sometimes bawdy—they have remained popular over time.
Participants are encouraged to pay tribute to Texas or Austin by immortalizing or gently mocking them in verse. Entries can reference anything about Texas or Austin—from favorite people or parks to road trip experiences and local barbecue joints—provided they remain short, snappy, and family-friendly.
