Dithering Chaps - submissions open
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
I'm David Herring, Lead Editor of indie poetry press, Dithering Chaps, based in Dorset, UK. We publish thematically-linked sequences of poems: works that riff on a core conceit, event or narrative voice. He/him. https://www.ditheringchaps.com
Pinned
Looking for a poetry editor who knows what it feels like to put his work out there (and has had his fair share of rejections)?
Hoping for a sympathetic ear & some constructive feedback?
Why not send your work to Dithering Chaps?
We do all the above.
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
Hoping for a sympathetic ear & some constructive feedback?
Why not send your work to Dithering Chaps?
We do all the above.
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
Our last shortlisted poet is Eloise Unerman, with her collection, 'a skeleton - finally'. Dark, cohesive & immersive, her poems have thematic depth & sustained atmosphere.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now:
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now:
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
November 17, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Our last shortlisted poet is Eloise Unerman, with her collection, 'a skeleton - finally'. Dark, cohesive & immersive, her poems have thematic depth & sustained atmosphere.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now:
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now:
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Still crossing fingers although having seen and heard the other shortlisted poets am feeling very much an imposter :)
Our fourth shortlisted poet is @saccharinequeen.bsky.social , with her collection, Have You Tried Turning Off and On Again - witty, sharp and often raw.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
Submissions Window — Dithering Chaps
This page describes the submissions window Dithering Chaps have opened on 1st July 2024. Poets can submit 10 pages of their poetry collection and we will shortlist our favourites, so that we can prod...
www.ditheringchaps.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Still crossing fingers although having seen and heard the other shortlisted poets am feeling very much an imposter :)
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Our fourth shortlisted poet is @saccharinequeen.bsky.social , with her collection, Have You Tried Turning Off and On Again - witty, sharp and often raw.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
Submissions Window — Dithering Chaps
This page describes the submissions window Dithering Chaps have opened on 1st July 2024. Poets can submit 10 pages of their poetry collection and we will shortlist our favourites, so that we can prod...
www.ditheringchaps.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Our fourth shortlisted poet is @saccharinequeen.bsky.social , with her collection, Have You Tried Turning Off and On Again - witty, sharp and often raw.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
Our fourth shortlisted poet is @saccharinequeen.bsky.social , with her collection, Have You Tried Turning Off and On Again - witty, sharp and often raw.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
Submissions Window — Dithering Chaps
This page describes the submissions window Dithering Chaps have opened on 1st July 2024. Poets can submit 10 pages of their poetry collection and we will shortlist our favourites, so that we can prod...
www.ditheringchaps.com
November 14, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Our fourth shortlisted poet is @saccharinequeen.bsky.social , with her collection, Have You Tried Turning Off and On Again - witty, sharp and often raw.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now! #ditheringchaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Our third shortlisted poet is Ceri Morgan, with her collection, Unstuck, in which the form mirrors the emotional state: a mind unstuck from linearity.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now!
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
#DitheringChaps
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now!
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
#DitheringChaps
November 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Our third shortlisted poet is Ceri Morgan, with her collection, Unstuck, in which the form mirrors the emotional state: a mind unstuck from linearity.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now!
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
#DitheringChaps
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now!
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
#DitheringChaps
Our third shortlisted poet is Ceri Morgan, with her collection, Unstuck, in which the form mirrors the emotional state: a mind unstuck from linearity.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now!
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
#DitheringChaps
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now!
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
#DitheringChaps
November 12, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Our third shortlisted poet is Ceri Morgan, with her collection, Unstuck, in which the form mirrors the emotional state: a mind unstuck from linearity.
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now!
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
#DitheringChaps
If you want to be in the running for our final publication in 2026, submissions are open now!
www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
#DitheringChaps
The second of our five shortlisted poets for May 2026 is Beth McDonough, who reanimates Goya's Los Caprichos etchings, drawing parallels between 18th-century grotesques and contemporary injustices.
Submissions are now open for our November 2026 publication slot - www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions.
Submissions are now open for our November 2026 publication slot - www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions.
November 6, 2025 at 7:41 AM
The second of our five shortlisted poets for May 2026 is Beth McDonough, who reanimates Goya's Los Caprichos etchings, drawing parallels between 18th-century grotesques and contemporary injustices.
Submissions are now open for our November 2026 publication slot - www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions.
Submissions are now open for our November 2026 publication slot - www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions.
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
We're down to a shortlist of five poets, all vying for a single publication slot next May. First up is Gabriel May, who has written a series of edgy and original ekphrastic poems, each one a meditation on two figures - Haruki Murakami and Raymond Carver; Lucas Cranach the Elder and Anish Kapoor...
November 1, 2025 at 12:23 PM
We're down to a shortlist of five poets, all vying for a single publication slot next May. First up is Gabriel May, who has written a series of edgy and original ekphrastic poems, each one a meditation on two figures - Haruki Murakami and Raymond Carver; Lucas Cranach the Elder and Anish Kapoor...
We're down to a shortlist of five poets, all vying for a single publication slot next May. First up is Gabriel May, who has written a series of edgy and original ekphrastic poems, each one a meditation on two figures - Haruki Murakami and Raymond Carver; Lucas Cranach the Elder and Anish Kapoor...
November 1, 2025 at 12:23 PM
We're down to a shortlist of five poets, all vying for a single publication slot next May. First up is Gabriel May, who has written a series of edgy and original ekphrastic poems, each one a meditation on two figures - Haruki Murakami and Raymond Carver; Lucas Cranach the Elder and Anish Kapoor...
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
We’re proud to announce our April-Sep reading window shortlist. We couldn't be happier at the prospect of reading each of these original and poetically-stunning collections in full.
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
We’re proud to announce our April-Sep reading window shortlist. We couldn't be happier at the prospect of reading each of these original and poetically-stunning collections in full.
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Thank you so much, I am having a little moment of panic and chocolate inhumation.
October 15, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Thank you so much, I am having a little moment of panic and chocolate inhumation.
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
I am so happy and privileged to make this shortlist! Thank you for your careful and attentive reading @ditheringchaps.bsky.social!
We’re proud to announce our April-Sep reading window shortlist. We couldn't be happier at the prospect of reading each of these original and poetically-stunning collections in full.
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I am so happy and privileged to make this shortlist! Thank you for your careful and attentive reading @ditheringchaps.bsky.social!
We’re proud to announce our April-Sep reading window shortlist. We couldn't be happier at the prospect of reading each of these original and poetically-stunning collections in full.
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
October 15, 2025 at 11:34 AM
We’re proud to announce our April-Sep reading window shortlist. We couldn't be happier at the prospect of reading each of these original and poetically-stunning collections in full.
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
It’ll be a very tough call to choose just one...
#DitheringChaps @saccharinequeen.bsky.social @cerimair.bsky.social
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
This is such a clever idea on taking kids to museums/galleries
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
October 12, 2025 at 10:18 AM
This is such a clever idea on taking kids to museums/galleries
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Thank you, Dithering Chaps, for including me on this longlist with such powerful writers. Fingers crossed!
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
October 12, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Thank you, Dithering Chaps, for including me on this longlist with such powerful writers. Fingers crossed!
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
So happy to make this list! Congratulations to other longlisted poets, and huge thanks to @ditheringchaps.bsky.social for amazingly attentive, generous, and supportive reading! I learned so much about how to be a good editor from one email!
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
October 9, 2025 at 9:33 PM
So happy to make this list! Congratulations to other longlisted poets, and huge thanks to @ditheringchaps.bsky.social for amazingly attentive, generous, and supportive reading! I learned so much about how to be a good editor from one email!
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Exciting to be on the Dithering Chaps longlist! Shortlist announced in 1 week.
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
October 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Exciting to be on the Dithering Chaps longlist! Shortlist announced in 1 week.
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Just thrilled to be here on the Dithering Chaps longlist with so many marvellous writers!
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
October 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Just thrilled to be here on the Dithering Chaps longlist with so many marvellous writers!
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
Hurray, on this magnificent longlist. (A couple of the submitted poems are to be published by @dreich.bsky.social I think, so double hurray.) Please please cross fingers for me, I really like Dithering Chaps (and any excuse to travel to the south coast). #Poetry #BookSky 📚 💙
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
October 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Hurray, on this magnificent longlist. (A couple of the submitted poems are to be published by @dreich.bsky.social I think, so double hurray.) Please please cross fingers for me, I really like Dithering Chaps (and any excuse to travel to the south coast). #Poetry #BookSky 📚 💙
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
So delighted to be included here! Good luck to everyone on the longlist!! Many thanks to the lovely editors of Dithering Chaps!
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
October 8, 2025 at 4:23 PM
So delighted to be included here! Good luck to everyone on the longlist!! Many thanks to the lovely editors of Dithering Chaps!
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
October 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
October 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
We’re pleased to announce our longlist of poets under consideration for publication in May 2026!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
The full list of longlisted poets is on our website: www.ditheringchaps.com/news
Our shortlist will be announced on 15th October.
Thank you to everyone who submitted - your work matters!
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
www.ditheringchaps.com/news Delighted to be on this longlist with Paisley Horizon, two of the poems in the collection have just been accepted by Pennine Press, and four are due in the next issue of Stand magazine.
News — Dithering Chaps
News and plans for future publications
www.ditheringchaps.com
October 8, 2025 at 1:20 PM
www.ditheringchaps.com/news Delighted to be on this longlist with Paisley Horizon, two of the poems in the collection have just been accepted by Pennine Press, and four are due in the next issue of Stand magazine.
Reposted by Dithering Chaps - submissions open
National Poetry Prize winner Christopher James' latest collection, The Ice Sonnets, is available for pre-order from Dithering Chaps. See our website for details: www.ditheringchaps.com/the-ice-sonn... #poetry #TheIceSonnets
October 5, 2025 at 7:07 PM
National Poetry Prize winner Christopher James' latest collection, The Ice Sonnets, is available for pre-order from Dithering Chaps. See our website for details: www.ditheringchaps.com/the-ice-sonn... #poetry #TheIceSonnets