Dithering Chaps

24/07/2024

It's a brand new day - so, if you're a poet, why not think some positive thoughts and send us your best work for our submissions window?

We're looking for poets to publish in 2025 and we have to charge a relatively small reading fee (£10) for each submission. We've read some negative comments about this policy, so we'd like to take this opportunity to explain why we (like many other publishers) charge for submissions.

We are a small, independent non-profit publisher and receive no external funding. We offer our own time and expertise free of charge for the work we do at every stage of the process leading to publication.

However, there are naturally costs associated with publishing our chapbooks, principally: printing, proofs, cover design and hosting our website. The income we receive from reading fees, along with sales, simply allows us the chance to break even.

Hope this makes sense - as anyone who has worked with us can tell you, we are very conscientious, entirely professional and will read your submissions carefully.

We look forward to seeing a sample of your best work. This time next year, you could have a chapbook dedicated to your poetry on your shelf at home!

More details can be found here ...

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 produce a publication schedule for 2025.

16/07/2024

Our latest blog is written by Helen Kay, one of the 40 winners of the Bournemouth Writing Festival's Poetry and Flash Fiction competition, Lines in the Sand.

Helen was chosen from the winning 40 to have an anthology of her work published by us. Clearly, the positive news of her win is having a ripple effect throughout her life - even affecting housework!

You can read more here...

Dithering Chaps 16/07/2024 Dithering Chaps 16/07/2024 Congratulations - your poem is in our anthology! Read More Dithering Chaps 04/06/2024 Dithering Chaps 04/06/2024 It’s time to open the window … Dithering Chaps are proud to announce the imminent opening of our submissions window, to find poet...

16/07/2024

What's on your mind, Dithering Chaps, you ask?

Well, we're currently reading through the first of the submissions we've received since we opened the window on 1st July and we're loving the quality & creativity we're seeing.

Poets, do you have what it takes?

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 produce a publication schedule for 2025.

13/07/2024

We ran the Bournemouth Writing Festival's competition & published Lines in the Sand, the anthology of the winners.

One thing we learnt from this process?

The earlier you enter (competitions & submissions) the more times your work gets read.

Our submissions window is now open! Click below for more information ...

www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions

06/07/2024

We're a small indie publishing house and our submissions window is open till the end of August, so you have some time to perfect your poetry!

Coleridge said, "“Prose: words in their best order; poetry: the best words in the best order.”

Of course, we think that definition should include prose poetry, too!

Here's where you can find out more ...

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 produce a publication schedule for 2025.

01/07/2024

SO proud and happy to have chosen the overall winner from among the 40 winners of the Bournemouth Writing Festival's competition, Lines in the Sand.

From an excellent shortlist of writers, we chose the amazingly talented Helen Kay and we can't wait to publish her!

01/07/2024

It's Summertime and we've opened the window ...

(and we can't wait to read your poetry!)

www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions

06/06/2024

This Summer, the team who brought you the Bournemouth Writing Festival’s competition and published the anthology, Lines in the Sand, will be looking for new poets to add to our growing family of authors.

You can read more about our Submissions Window in our latest blog! https://www.ditheringchaps.com/blog - pass it on!

04/06/2024

It's summer, so we thought we'd open the window ...

Yes, calling all poets! We, at Dithering Chaps, are opening our submissions window on 1st July and we wanted to give you advance notice.

More details here: https://www.ditheringchaps.com/submissions and in this month's blog here: https://www.ditheringchaps.com/blog

Please can we call on everyone in the to spread the news far and wide - what an amazing opportunity to see your work in print!

Submissions Window 1st July - 31st August 2024 Are you the author of our next poetry chapbook? In July and August this year, we are going to be open for submissions and eager to read your work!The purpose of this submissions window is to produce a shortlist, from which to select authors for our 2025...

29/04/2024

What a finale to the Bournemouth Writing Festival!

Congratulations, Bournemouth Writing Festival, for showcasing local talent and much love to all the performers at the finale, which had the theme, "Writing Home".

Here's a shot of the incredible production by Vita Nova. Moving, thought-provoking and beautifully performed! Well done to them and to Sharon Muiruri Coyne for putting this together.

Special thanks to Dominic Wong, who again took on the mammoth task and responsibility of organising the Festival, which has brought so much joy to so many people. The Festival has given solitary writers the opportunity to meet like-minded people and share experiences, advice and support.

We have a few copies left of "Lines in the Sand", the anthology of the flash fiction and poetry that won the BWF writing competition this year - you can get them here ... https://www.ditheringchaps.com/shop/p/lines-in-the-sand
or on Amazon.

Time to relax, reflect and re-energise for next year! 😁

28/04/2024

For those of you who missed the fabulous Bournemouth Writing Festival event last night, Bourn Jammy, there's a taste on our website here:

https://www.ditheringchaps.com/performance-news

The performers, including MC Gramski, supported by our own David Herring, Nicole Durman (one of the winners of the Lines in the Sand competition) and Harley Truslove, along with open mic guests like CW C.W. Blackburn and Mayu Rousant, blew the roof off!

Congratulations, David Herring - you were sensational!

DG Herring performsat Bourn Jammy!On Saturday 27th April 2024, the Bournemouth Writing Festival held a spoken word/music event at the Pavilion Dance in Bournemouth. “Bourn Jammy” had a fantastic line-up, headed by MC Gramski, along with the following supporting acts: our own DG Herring, Nicole D...

27/04/2024

LOOK what's on offer tonight - you will love it!

Come along to the Pavilion Dance South West to see these wonderful people support MC Gramski, with the backing of a live band.

Saturday nights don't get any better than this!

26/04/2024

Lines in the Sand is now on sale, as the Bournemouth Writing Festival opens ... Pavilion Dance, Bournenouth. Copies going fast!

26/04/2024

Yes, that's our publication at Number 1 in the Amazon Hot New Releases List ...

I respectfully suggest you buy Lines in the Sand. Not to be missed!

25/04/2024

As part of the Bournemouth Writing Festival's grand finale, we'll be welcoming, and celebrating with, some of the winners of the BWF Flash Fiction and Poetry Competition 2024, Lines in the Sand.

Unfortunately, the rest of the winning authors (some are from as far away as Australia and the USA) can't make the journey, so they will have received their copies of the anthology in the post by now - if not, please let us know.

Meanwhile, the ones who can get to Pavilion Dance South West on Sunday night will be presented with their copies of the anthology on stage and we can't wait to meet them.

If you'd like a copy of the anthology (which is superb!), you can buy it from us at our website, or on Amazon, or at the Festival (but we'd recommend you don't wait till then, if you want to be sure of getting a copy!)

And book here to come to the Finale!

Performance showcase celebrating the writing talent of local grassroots community art groups at Pavilion Dance in Bournemouth.

25/04/2024

As part of this Festival finale, we'll be welcoming, and celebrating with, some of the winners of the BWF Flash Fiction and Poetry Competition 2024, Lines in the Sand.

Unfortunately, the rest of the winning authors (from far-flung places like Australia and the USA) can't make the journey, so they will have received their copies of the anthology in the post by now - if not, please let us know.

Meanwhile, the ones who can get to Pavilion Dance South West on Sunday night will be presented with their copies of the anthology on stage and we can't wait to meet them.

If you'd like a copy of the anthology (which is superb!), you can buy it from us at our website, or on Amazon, or at the Festival (but we'd recommend you don't wait till then, if you want to be sure of getting a copy!)

23/04/2024

Lovely reviews for two of our recent publications in SOUTH Poetry Magazine's SOUTH69. Thank you so much to the reviewers and the magazine for shining a spotlight on our tiny publishing house!

"Gifts of the Dark" by Simon Bowden is reviewed by Peter Keeble, who recognises that it "contemplates the mysteries of existence and life".

Anne Peterson's "Going Home" is reviewed by Chrissie Williams, who appreciates "these subtle and rewarding poems".

These two chapbooks, along with the fabulous David Herring's epic poem, "The Sheliand" and the anthology of winning entries from the Bournemouth Writing Festival's flash fiction and poetry competition, "Lines in the Sand", can be bought here:

Dithering Chaps Store - where you can buy all our publications, including our featured publication, The Sheliand by D G Herring

19/04/2024

This man was born to jam!

19/04/2024

Imagine how good you'll look, reading this on the beach ...

You can get your copy here:

https://www.ditheringchaps.com/shop/p/lines-in-the-sand

19/04/2024

19/04/2024

It's only a week away and there are lots of incredible events lined up this year for the Bournemouth Writing Festival - among them, our very own will be performing some of his work with a band - poetry & music, in an energetic and creative fusion. Don't miss it!

Bourn Jammy, Pavilion Dance, Bournemouth,
Saturday 27th April 2024 at 7:30pm

18/04/2024

Yes! It's here!

This is a collection of absolute gems - if you've ever entered a poetry or flash fiction competition and wondered what the standard of winning entries is, this is the answer.

Grab your copy at Dithering Chaps:

Lines in the Sand is an anthology of poetry and flash fiction, containing the winning entries from the Bournemouth Writing Festival competition 2024.

18/04/2024

Writing Home: Stories from the edges of print 📖

When? 28th April
Where? Pavilion Dance South West, BH1 2BU

Join us at evening of showcases, celebrating the writing talent of local community arts groups on Sunday 28th April 2024 at 7:30pm at the

Our Celeste group will be taking the stage to perform their newly devised piece. The group is integrated, made up of those in addiction recovery working with people with English as a second language, including refugees and asylum seekers who have overcome real struggles.

Experience specially-commissioned pieces, promising to captivate and inspire, showcasing the resilience and creativity of marginalised communities. The evening will also feature performances from Kainat (formerly Rising Voices), Wordmakers & Silence Breakers, Allies in Action and The Outsiders Project, and is curated and hosted by Myriam San Marco.

Tickets are based on "Pay What You Can". Book here: https://www.pdsw.org.uk/whats-on/writing-home-stories-from-the-edges-of-print/?fbclid=IwAR1WNyo0JMHF8v8ZghkvFogPOXAoO6WmoIZW79Lo0stF42qBc8DIhATyenE_aem_AUcnSuDKgwjhP3MSAacPriqW-DPbpLcCIYpdBPa-ARYGH4zW2tTj119cwKzitn6Y_ICGRaJ4tJbW_F-c4YueYrhA

16/03/2024

*Bournemouth Writing Festival Flash Fiction & Poetry Competition*

So, the long list is out there! You can read it on our website, here:

https://www.ditheringchaps.com/competitions

We are getting to the sharp end of the competition now, and the winners, chosen by Arts University Bournemouth, will be announced towards the end of the month.

Meanwhile, it gives us enormous pleasure to say that 100% of donations made in support of Vita Nova, as part of this competition, have been handed over to help this wonderful, life-changing organisation continue to have an impact in the community.

Tickets to an event where Vita Nova, Kainat (formerly Rising Voices), Wordmakers & Silence Breakers and The Outsiders Project, will be performing, curated and hosted by Myriam San Marco, are available here ...

https://www.pdsw.org.uk/whats-on/writing-home-stories-from-the-edges-of-print/

Thank you!

12/03/2024

What do you do to distract yourself while you're waiting for Christmas? Or in our case, waiting to find out the results of the Bournemouth Writing Festival Flash Fiction and Poetry Competition?

The judges (from Arts University Bournemouth) are beavering away this week and we should know soon!

We are SO excited to see which entries they've chosen, because we're looking forward to turning them into an anthology ...

02/03/2024

We are so happy to announce that we have received *hundreds* of entries from all around the world for the Bournemouth Writing Festival poetry and flash fiction competition, on the theme, Lines in the Sand. The standard of writing has blown us away and we are very proud to have been involved in this year's competition.

We also received *hundreds of pounds* in donations for the fabulous Vita Nova community arts charity. Part of their exceptional work is to support writers recovering from addiction, so it is wonderful that authors from all around the world are banding together to help each other and support the charity.

Thank you to everyone who entered and to everyone who donated.
The next steps involve the judging of the entries and we will be posting the longlisted entries later this month.

If anyone has any questions or feedback about the competition so far, please don't hesitate to email us at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

TBH, we've loved every minute of it - we are full of gratitude for the opportunity to be involved and to help Vita Nova.

Vita Nova is a vibrant arts organisation and recovery community. We are energised and sustained by the genuine passion of our members and volunteers

01/03/2024

What an amazing year 2024 is turning out to be!

Firstly, thank you to everyone who entered the Bournemouth Writing Festival poetry and flash fiction competition on the theme, Lines in the Sand. We are getting some amazing submissions ready for the judges and can't wait to see what they choose for the anthology!

Then, our very own David Herring has found out he will be published in the long-standing Stand Magazine. On top of all his other recent successes, like being published in Ireland, accepted for publication in Orbis and in the Poetry Salzburg Review, he is on a roll and is one to watch!

Stand has been a fixture on the British and world literary scene since 1952, when the first issue appeared in London. It moved to Leeds in 1960, then to Newcastle, and it is now edited from the School of English at the University of Leeds in collaboration with Virginia Commonwealth University in the...

29/02/2024

Getting to the sharp end of the Bournemouth Writing Festival flash fiction and poetry competition (you'll probably be pleased to hear, if you keep seeing our posts!) - at midnight tonight, you will no longer be able to pay for an entry. So best get a wriggle on ...

Enter here: https://www.bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk/writing-competition

Together with local publishers Dithering Chaps and Arts University Bournemouth, the Bournemouth Writing Festival is looking for poetry and flash fiction submissions for its first publication!

23/02/2024

If you write or , there is a cool competition you can enter, here ...

https://bournemouthwritingfestival.co.uk/writing-competition
.. and you want to be cool, don't you? 😎

Together with local publishers Dithering Chaps and Arts University Bournemouth, the Bournemouth Writing Festival is looking for poetry and flash fiction submissions for its first publication!