D i t h e r i n g Chaps
Dithering Chaps
Independent Poetry Publishers
Small Press, Big Heart
Carefully chosen contemporary poetry, beautifully edited and designed. We publish a small number of chapbooks each year and provide personal feedback on every submission.
· Listed by the National Poetry Library ·
· Personalised feedback on every submission ·
· Championing debut poets ·
Who we are
Dithering Chaps is an independent UK poetry chapbook publisher, specialising in beautifully crafted poetry chapbooks by contemporary poets.
The National Poetry Library lists Dithering Chaps as an independent UK poetry chapbook publisher on their website and holds a copy of every chapbook we publish. We are a great choice for poets who want their work treated with care, curiosity, and genuine attention.
What we publish
We’re a small independent poetry press with a big heart. We publish a handful of carefully chosen contemporary poetry chapbooks each year because we want to give each manuscript the time, thought, and affection it deserves.
We usually publish poetry sequences of between 30 and 60 pages — the sweet spot between pamphlets (generally under 30 pages) and full collections (often 80 pages or more). However, we’re flexible, and we’re happy to consider slightly longer or shorter curations of your poetry, too.
How we work
We read carefully. We edit collaboratively. We design with intention.
Yes, there is dithering — mostly over the small details that make a book feel right in the hand: the texture of the paper, the spacing between lines and poems, the quiet architecture of the page. Large presses don’t have the time to dither; we consider it part of our craft. Our aim is simple: to bring new and exciting poetry to a wider audience by making chapbooks that feel both beautifully crafted and deeply human.
This is a labour of love for us. Get in touch.
Submissions
We are open for submissions all year round. When you submit your work, we provide personalised feedback, whether we choose to publish you or not. That’s how committed we are to poetry, to publishing, and to the people we meet in this process.
When you contact us, you’ll get a personal response — not a standard email. We’re not trying to be a big press. We just want to be a good one.
Ready to send us your work? Please read our submission guidelines. But before you submit, we recommend browsing our current chapbooks to get a sense of our aesthetic and editorial approach.
Dithering Chaps Press — an independent UK poetry chapbook publisher
We publish exciting contemporary poetry chapbooks in small, carefully-curated editions
“Your feedback was so informative that I think it will really help me to improve and grow as a poet.
I have been unsure where I was ‘going wrong’, so to speak. Your insightful and valuable response has given me a focus.”
(From a poet who had received feedback on their submission.)
