Form and Form-Breaking Poetry Contest A project of Cleaver (see other related projects). Permanently Closed: This project is permanently closed to submissions (August 2023). We provide the following information as an archive. About Show us your poems that hold up the perfect iambic pentameter of a Shakespearean sonnet or crash it on the rocks of free verse. Show us a villanelle with textbook patterning or show us the villanelle who just crashed her car. Whatever the form, we want to see your poems that use form consciously, whether that’s to execute them to perfection or execute their expectations. The one requirement is that your work engages with a form of poetry; whether it gets married to that form or breaks up at the last couplet is up to you. Fees Notice: This project charges fees (or requires purchases) for all submissions. Country of Publication United States Publication Medium & Contest Frequency Electronic Publication Electronic PublicationUnknown contest frequency Poetry Closed Audience:Open to a broad Audience.Genres: GeneralLengths: Poem: No line limits known; Up to 2 pieces.Poetry Forms:Open to all/most Forms, including: Ghazal, Haiku (or related), Prose poetry, Rondeau, Sestina, Villanelle.Styles:Open to all/most Styles, including: Literary.Topics: Open to all/most Topics.Winner's Prize:Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem) Professional payment (US$50 or more per poem).Note: We list broad pay categories rather than prize specifics. Check with the publisher for details.Submissions:Method: Submittable submission manager. Reprints: Reprints are NOT allowed.Simultaneous submissions: Unknown.Multiple entries: Multiple entries are allowed.Media: Text. Always check guidelines for details and restrictions. If you aren't familiar with these terms, see our glossary. Go to contest webpage Report: Correction/Update Support this Publisher: Make a Donation Form and Form-Breaking Poetry Contest Submission Statistics The statistics in this section are compiled from submission reports sent to us through our submission tracker. They are not provided by the publication's editors/staff or by Duotrope's admins. Information in this section is updated a few times per day. Learn more about the statistics. This listing is inactive and does not have any submission reports for the past 12 months. Your Submissions This section is available to subscribers only. Join today! Related ProjectsCleaver Charges fees for all submissionsCleaver Magazine Visual Poetics Contest CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsCleaver Short Creative Nonfiction Contest CLOSED Charges fees for all submissionsSummer Lightning Flash Contest DNQ Charges fees for all submissions Before SubmittingWe cannot guarantee that the information on this page is correct. It is not unusual for publications to evolve or close without notice. We do our best to keep up, but it isn't always possible. Duotrope listings do not imply endorsement or recommendation of the project being listed. Before submitting, you should use your own judgment to determine whether the project meets your standards.Always read the full guidelines provided by the publisher.Try to read at least one previous publication to get a better idea of what the editor would like to see.Unless the publisher's guidelines state otherwise, always use industry standard manuscript formatting.Be professional, patient, and persistent. DatesLast Updated: 22 May 2026 Cookie Consent: This site uses secure first-party cookies for essential, preference-setting, and statistical purposes. We do not use any marketing, advertising, or third-party cookies. Read our full cookie policy. Accept All Cookies Allow Essential Cookies Only