It’s time for our annual Fantasy Limerick contest!
Your task is to create an original limerick that has something to do with speculative fiction. It could be about a character, a series, an author, or whatever fits the theme. Here are the rules for creating a good limerick (quoting from this source). A limerick:
- is five lines long
- is based on the rhythm “da-da-DAH” (anapest meter)
- has two different rhymes
Lines 1, 2, and 5 have three of those da-da-DAH “feet,” and rhyme with each other.- Lines 3 and 4 have two, and rhyme with each other.
- You can break the meter rules if there’s a good reason. You may
- drop the first “da” in a line, changing that foot to da-DAH
- add an extra “da” or two at the end of a line IF it’s used for an extended rhyme, such as cannibal and Hannibal
- The best limericks are funny or witty or clever.
So, the meter goes like this:
da da DAH / da da DAH / da da BING
da da DAH / da da DAH / da da DING
da da DAH / da da BAM
da da DAH / da da WHAM
da da DAH / da da DAH / da da PING
As examples, here are some previous winners:
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There are some brilliant limericks in our previous columns. We encourage you to go back and read them (use the links in the limericks above).
Now it’s your turn. We can’t wait to read what you create! If it’s not obvious what your limerick is a tribute to, please mention it in your comment. And if you want us to give you credit on Twitter, include your Twitter handle.
The author of the limerick we like best wins a book from our stacks or a FanLit T-shirt (sizes avail are S – XL). If you live outside the US, we’ll send a $7 Amazon gift card.
There once was a wizard named Harry
Who consorted with many a fairy
He rescued his daughter
And lead vampires to slaughter
Then he died, but it was temporary.
A teacher once brought his young bride
To a Tower, a book as his guide
He discovered the cost
When Marya was lost
And he was forced to venture inside.
Not in his enemy’s plans embroiled,
The prince just studied and toiled,
But as things turned tragic,
The prince found his magic,
And now the ending is spoiled! 😛
This was what sprang to mind, but now I’m not sure if I should say what book this is or not.😅
On our honeymoon long overdue
I thought that all of my dreams had come true.
But now I have gone missing
And that Bancroft is wishing
You’ll watch for my husband to come through.
Father Earth is a dangerous ball
In winter, spring, summer, or fall
But now it is near
the fifth Season of fear
for death is the master of all
There was a dark lord all a’glower
Who plotted from within his black tower
If he’d ever taken a look
At any high fantasy book
He might have kept his power
There once was a boy named Rand,
Who’s name was soon known throughout the land,
He met a guy named Ishamael,
Who he could not abide by principal,
The great battle it was called and it was quite grand.
There once was a scion of Lackless
Who was raised to be charming, but tactless
He followed the moon,
And found himself soon,
in the Fae realm from whence the orb waxes.
The Waystone in was silent
Three parts it had none violent
Sound lacking, men drinking
The barkeep was thinking
Of death, his secret like Soylent
All of these are wonderful!
Our winner is chosen as random, though.
James, if you live in the USA, you win a book of your choice from our stacks.
Please contact me (Marion) with your choice and a US address. Happy reading!
“The author of the limerick we like best wins a book from our stacks or a FanLit T-shirt (sizes avail are S – XL). If you live outside the US, we’ll send a $7 Amazon gift card.”
I think you guy chickened out! 😋
Not “we,” Sethia– me! :)
Greetings to the limerickers from FanLit’s 2018 Limerick contest. Our 2020 contest is in progress here: https://fantasyliterature.com/giveaway/fanlits-2020-sff-limerick-contest/
We hope to hear from you!