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Dithering Chaps - submissions open

@ditheringchaps.bsky.social
1.7K followers 1.5K following 177 posts

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. www.ditheringchaps.com

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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The use of AI is a hot topic in the writing space. Our recent blog gives examples of the pace of change: www.ditheringchaps.com/blog/towards.... We conclude, 'If you use AI to write your poetry for you (a prime example of cognitive offloading), the loss will be yours...'. Let us know what you think.
ditheringchaps.com
Towards a policy for the use of AI… — Dithering Chaps
The use of AI is a hot topic in the writing space. Here, we set out our current thinking and invite you to share your thoughts and responses. (You can email us at ditheringchaps@gmail.com ). The f...
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
The use of AI is a hot topic in the writing space. Our recent blog gives examples of the pace of change: www.ditheringchaps.com/blog/towards.... We conclude, 'If you use AI to write your poetry for you (a prime example of cognitive offloading), the loss will be yours...'. Let us know what you think.
ditheringchaps.com
Towards a policy for the use of AI… — Dithering Chaps
The use of AI is a hot topic in the writing space. Here, we set out our current thinking and invite you to share your thoughts and responses. (You can email us at ditheringchaps@gmail.com ). The f...
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Ceri Morgan @cerimair.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
Please be invited to the launch of my first poetry chapbook on August 28, featuring readings by me and other @ditheringchaps.bsky.social poets. All welcome: AF event, and accessible venue.
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Count Binface @countbinface.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
There now follows a party election broadcast by the Count Binface Party, And if I do say so myself, it's a banger. #VoteBinface #Clacton
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
We've been marvelling and worrying in equal measure about how AI is affecting poetry submissions. The change over just two years in what AI can do is startling - we ponder this, giving examples, in our latest blog. www.ditheringchaps.com/blog/towards... We'd love to hear what you think...
ditheringchaps.com
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Emily Herring @emilyherring.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
If you would like to pay me to go experience weird niche events and write about them that is my dream job so please do!
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
We've been marvelling and worrying in equal measure about how AI is affecting poetry submissions. The change over just two years in what AI can do is startling - we ponder this, giving examples, in our latest blog. www.ditheringchaps.com/blog/towards... We'd love to hear what you think...
ditheringchaps.com
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Emily Herring @emilyherring.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I'm in Halberstadt where I have been sent by the lovely folk over at Orbital Studies to witness and write about the 17th chord change of John Cage's "As Slow as possible" which has been playing on an organ here since 2001 and is projected to keep playing until the 2600s.
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
Celebrating at @ditheringchaps.bsky.social today! Our publication, 'The Ice Sonnets' by Christopher James, has been longlisted for The Maya Poetry Book Awards 2026. A book so good, adventurer Dwayne Fields carried a copy all the way to the South Pole! www.ditheringchaps.com/shop/p/the-i...
ditheringchaps.com
Buy The Ice Sonnets by Christopher James | Poetry Chapbook — Dithering Chaps
Buy The Ice Sonnets by Christopher James, a lyrical poetry chapbook inspired by Shackleton’s Trans-Antarctic Expedition and exploring cold, memory and endurance.
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Emily Herring @emilyherring.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Read my biography of Henri Bergson and: - wow your family and friends with your insights into pure durée - learn about the time Marcel Proust was best man at a wedding -access the immediate data of your consciousness - find out why a philosopher caused the first ever traffic jam on Broadway
Herald of a Restless World How Henri Bergson Brought Philosophy to the People by Emily Herring
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
For fellow poets out there, may I recommend Beth's substack - full of reflections on the art of writing and her sources of inspiration bethbrooke.substack.com?r=1tirk3&utm... @bethbpoet.bsky.social #poetry
bethbrooke.substack.com
Beth’s Substack | Substack
My personal Substack. Click to read Beth’s Substack, by Beth Brooke, a Substack publication. Launched a year ago.
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Emily Herring @emilyherring.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
I wonder if the publication in question feels there is enough of a hook now.............
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Here's the first of our shortlisted poets, Tom McLaughlin, reading from his poem, Molly house. We'll be posting films of each of our five shortlisters over the coming days and, after due trademark dithering, our final choice will be announced on 13th May. So watch this space! www.ditheringchaps.com
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
We are delighted to announce that we've chosen Tom McLaughlin's stunning debut collection, In Rooms of Falling Rain, to publish later this year. We can't wait to work with this exciting and talented poet! www.ditheringchaps.com
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 10/05/2026
Here's the last of our shortlisted poets, Marie Macri, reading from her poem, Proof he was here. We'd love to know what you think! We will be announcing our final choice on Wednesday. www.ditheringchaps.com
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Victoria Spires @victoriaspires.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
@ditheringchaps.bsky.social have made a great film of me reading from my shortlisted pamphlet Songs of Other Names. Please give a re-share if you'd like to read the whole thing in print 🙏🏼❤️ It's decision time next week!
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 04/05/2026
Here's the next of our shortlisted poets, @victoriaspires.bsky.social , reading from her poem, The Skulker. We'll be posting films of each of our five shortlisters and, after due trademark dithering, we'll announce our final choice on 13th May. Stay tuned! www.ditheringchaps.com
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Here's another of our shortlisted poets, Hilary McDaniel, reading from her poem, A Hoosier Sonnet Definition. We have two more films of shortlisted poets to post. Our final choice will be announced on 13th May, so watch this space! www.ditheringchaps.com
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
Here's another of our shortlisted poets, Hilary McDaniel, reading from her poem, A Hoosier Sonnet Definition. We have two more films of shortlisted poets to post. Our final choice will be announced on 13th May, so watch this space! www.ditheringchaps.com
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Here's the first of our shortlisted poets, Tom McLaughlin, reading from his poem, Molly house. We'll be posting films of each of our five shortlisters over the coming days and, after due trademark dithering, our final choice will be announced on 13th May. So watch this space! www.ditheringchaps.com
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Here is our top five - one of these poets will be published by us, later this year ... To be honest, we'd love to publish them all - we have a tough job on our hands! www.ditheringchaps.com
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Victoria Spires @victoriaspires.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
What wonderful news. I am keeping my fingers crossed for my ambitious, curious, somewhat feral set of poems 🤞🏼 Thank you @ditheringchaps.bsky.social & congratulations to the other shortlisted poets ❤️
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Here is our top five - one of these poets will be published by us, later this year ... To be honest, we'd love to publish them all - we have a tough job on our hands! www.ditheringchaps.com
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 08/04/2026
We're so proud to announce our April 2026 longlist. We would be proud to publish any one of these poets. Now we really dither - trying to cut 20 down to just 5 ... our shortlist will be announced this time next week. Here's wishing us (and our longlisted poets) luck! #poetry
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Submissions duly logged and read. Now time to make our longlist decisions... #DitheringChaps #poetry
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 03/04/2026
Submissions duly logged and read. Now time to make our longlist decisions... #DitheringChaps #poetry
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 28/03/2026
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
We love pi day, but World Poetry Day is our favourite!
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
We love pi day, but World Poetry Day is our favourite!
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Submissions window - twenty days to go...
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Submissions window - twenty days to go...
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Where will your poems end up...? #DitheringChaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 11/03/2026
Where will your poems end up...? #DitheringChaps www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Our end of March cut-off is looming. We'd love to read your submission! #poetry #poetrysubmissions #DitheringChaps
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 04/03/2026
Our end of March cut-off is looming. We'd love to read your submission! #poetry #poetrysubmissions #DitheringChaps
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
It's always nice to be appreciated...
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
It's always nice to be appreciated...
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 11/02/2026
Dithering Chaps is proud to devote one of our annual publication slots to the work of poets who have yet to publish a full poetry collection. We’re thrilled to announce our 2025 choices: BRIDGETTE JAMES, an emerging poet with a striking, intimate voice and LEANNE MODEN, poet, performer, storyteller.
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Delighted to learn that our Lead Editor DG Herring's poem, 'The Deal With Alkestis', has been accepted by @thebrokenspine.co.uk for their The Havisham Steps: Modern Gothic Poetry anthology. The proofs promise he's in very good, if edgy, company. Props to Alan Parry & team! thebrokenspine.co.uk
thebrokenspine.co.uk
Home - The Broken Spine
Check out our full range of publications in digital & print formats
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Today's shortlisted poet is @sarahcrowe.bsky.social. Here she is reading from Ode to My Left Breast, an elegant crown of sonnets, the form of which she has deftly adapted to her theme of deconstruction/reconstruction. Watch out for more of our videos and tell us who we should choose
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 21/01/2026
Today's shortlisted poet is @sarahcrowe.bsky.social. Here she is reading from Ode to My Left Breast, an elegant crown of sonnets, the form of which she has deftly adapted to her theme of deconstruction/reconstruction. Watch out for more of our videos and tell us who we should choose
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Emily Herring @emilyherring.bsky.social · 20/01/2026
Sharing this review of my book by @alexandrelefebvre.bsky.social again because, in addition to saying lovely things about Herald of a Restless World, it is a really excellent article about Bergson lareviewofbooks.org/article/when...
lareviewofbooks.org
When Philosophy Stopped the Traffic in New York City | Los Angeles Review of Books
Alexandre Lefebvre explores Emily Herring’s “Herald of a Restless World: How Henri Bergson Brought Philosophy to the People.”
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Sarah Doyle @poetsarahdoyle.bsky.social · 17/01/2026
Also: really decent production values from @ditheringchaps.bsky.social. Good quality paper, and each poem/illustration properly honoured with space to breathe on the page.
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Have a collection ready to publish? Send us a sample of your work! You could be on our next shortlist in April and be in print by the end of the year... (See our recent posts for clips from our current shortlist.) www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions #poetry #submissions
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
Have a collection ready to publish? Send us a sample of your work! You could be on our next shortlist in April and be in print by the end of the year... (See our recent posts for clips from our current shortlist.) www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions #poetry #submissions
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Third up is kerry rawlinson, reading from her poem, 'bath, in translation', from her collection, 'fluid dynamics'. This collection interrogates "the various forms physical liquids take, as well as exploring other modes and expressions of fluidity."NB kerry appears twice on our shortlist! Impressive!
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 14/01/2026
Third up is kerry rawlinson, reading from her poem, 'bath, in translation', from her collection, 'fluid dynamics'. This collection interrogates "the various forms physical liquids take, as well as exploring other modes and expressions of fluidity."NB kerry appears twice on our shortlist! Impressive!
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Second up from our shortlist is Bridgette James, reading from Baby Blues, a poem in her collection, Gestating Creatures. When he read Bridgette's submission, our lead editor, David Herring wrote, "I'm convinced that I'm in the presence of an authentic and original voice." Three more poets to come!
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 13/01/2026
Second up from our shortlist is Bridgette James, reading from Baby Blues, a poem in her collection, Gestating Creatures. When he read Bridgette's submission, our lead editor, David Herring wrote, "I'm convinced that I'm in the presence of an authentic and original voice." Three more poets to come!
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Dithering Chaps - submissions open @ditheringchaps.bsky.social · 06/12/2025
The Ice Sonnets by Christopher James (past winner of the National Poetry and Bridport Prizes)... out now... from Dithering Chaps i.m. Frank Hurley from Shackleton's Endurance... www.ditheringchaps.com/the-ice-sonn... #OblongStockingFillers
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