If you've ever longed for the Old Man of Cape Horn to cheer up, or to rescue the Person of Cromer from his sudden and unexplained conclusion, or to silence that annoying Old Man with a Bell, then this is the book you've been waiting for.

One hundred and twelve brand new limericks based on Edward Lear's verses in his ground-breaking work, A Book of Nonsense (1846 and 1863).

Plus Edward Lear's original verses.

That's two hundred and twenty four limericks!

But why the new new take on old poems?

Because Edward Lear ignored the most important part of the limerick - the fifth line, which adds a twist to the story and makes us chuckle.

Lear would establish a premise that was knowingly and joyfully absurd, then end with an anti-climax. His final line simply repeated the rhyme and substance of what he'd said at the start.

The Fifth Line revisits A Book of Nonsense, crafting a proper limerick from every verse.

They're all here, from An Old Man With a Nose to A Young Lady Whose Bonnet, and everything in between.

The Fifth Line: Limericks After Lear.

Plus Lear.

Plus laughter.

Edward Lear is remembered, and rightly so, as the Father of the Limerick. Were it not for him, this little five line verse form may never have become such a beloved, ubiquitous part of our literary and popular culture.

Yet the very thing that makes the limerick so appealing held no appeal for Edward Lear. The final line of his verses brought no twist and sought no giggle. It was a summing up, and nothing more.

But Lear had opened Victorian eyes to the possibilities inherent in the limerick: A Book of Nonsense was a runaway bestseller.

In 1872 Lear published one hundred new limericks, hoping to repeat his earlier success. But while his original verses are still fondly remembered today, still anthologised, still quoted in mainstream and social media, his next hundred limericks are unknown.

Why?

Because the limerick had moved on without him, acquiring a life of its own and romping towards the twentieth century with outlandish, irreverent and often obscene delight.

And Lear couldn't follow. It just wasn't in his nature to go there. So having launched the boat, he now stood alone on the dock and watched it sail off into the distance.

Limericks After Lear breathes new life into Edward Lear's creations. Book One, The Fifth Line, took A Book of Nonsense as its starting point and sent all 112 verses off in new directions.

Book Two retrieves those lost, forgotten verses of 1872 and presents them complete: all 100 of Lear's originals, plus a brand new limerick for each that, I hope, will make you giggle.

They're family-friendly, too :)

And here they are: The Next Hundred Lears ...

Thank you for this delightful book! I immediately read the first two episodes. It’s difficult to stop, but I need to pace myself, and I have work to do.

I paid a bit extra, because I was so happy that this exists, a bit of sunshine in a… well, it’s sunny today, but it’s dismal in a less literal sense, and this book is a joy.

… I’ve watched Derry Girls and enjoy it very much, but your limericks have brought a new layer to it, so I’m starting to watch them all over again.

Andrew, Leanpub Reader

Derry Girls, Seasons 1 and 2. Perfect moments from every episode, captured in verse that takes a moment to read. Five lines. They’re funny. And they rhyme :)

If you’re a fan, you’ll not need me to tell you that Derry Girls is a hilarious, irreverent comedy set in Northern Ireland in the 1990s. If you’re not familiar with Derry Girls, you’ll find the show on Netflix … and if you enjoy a good belly laugh, you’ll be delighted that you did.

I love Derry Girls, and I love writing limericks.

If you time it well, a limerick is the perfect tool for capturing moments. Derry Girls offers so many moments worth capturing, that a limerick writer who loves the series could never do justice to them all.

But one can try.

And you can help.

Buy the book now. Have a look. Get a refund if you want.

A Wee Bit of Integrity is my book of limericks based on Seasons 1 and 2 of Derry Girls. It’s here now, unfinished and ready to buy. Unfinished? Yes. The price reflects that - it's as low as I can set it on Leanpub. And you can get your money back.

All the Derry Girls limericks I’ve completed are here. One hundred and sixty two of them (so far). I’ve worked long and hard to make them as good as they can be. But that’s only my opinion. I need yours.

There’s no artwork, no photos or illustrations, no eye-catching cover. These things cost money, and I’ve learnt the hard lesson that it’s money badly spent if nobody wants to buy the book.

Who wants a book of limericks about Derry Girls, the TV series?

Hopefully, lots of people do. But if it’s no one, I’d rather find out now and not spend all that money, and not waste any more time.

So I’m asking you to buy the book, unfinished, and tell me what you think.

Good Point 1: If you hate what you read, you have 45 days to get your money back. No risk.

Good Point 2: You might love it :)

Good Point 3: It’s cheap now. If lots of people like the book, I’ll finish it. The price will rise, but what you pay today is all you’ll pay. For today’s price you’ll get the finished book, and every update along the way.

Good Point 4: Your feedback will help make a better book.

A Wee Bit of Integrity: Limericks After Derry Girls, Seasons 1 and 2. Buy it. Try it. Have your say :)