About

This is where you can find out a bit more about us.

Dithering Chaps is an independent UK poetry chapbook publisher. We specialise in small, carefully-crafted collections that celebrate the lyric, the unique, and the quietly resonant. Each chapbook is selected with care and published with creativity.

We’re a family-run press, and everything we do, from reading submissions to packing envelopes, is done with care, attention and affection. We believe in the chapbook as an art form: not just a stepping stone, but a destination in its own right.

Our poets come from many places and backgrounds, but they share a commitment to language that sings, stings, and stays with you. We publish a small number of titles each year, and we read every submission ourselves, ensuring we give constructive feedback to every poet, whether we choose to publish you or not.

You can explore our site to discover our current chapbooks in the Shop, learn about Submissions, and see for yourself who we are. And then get in touch through our Contact Us page.

Thanks for visiting. We’re so glad you’re here!

Gena and David Herring, otherwise known as Dithering Chaps, a UK independent contemporary poetry chapbook publisher and press.
Read what our poets say ...

Dithering Chaps Press — an independent UK poetry chapbook publisher

We publish exciting contemporary poetry chapbooks in small, carefully-curated editions

We are proud to introduce our small, but beautifully-formed, team.
We are, quite literally, a family business …

  • David’s primary role is founder and lead editor of Dithering Chaps, championing contemporary poetry and choosing the most exciting voices to bring to a wider audience.

    As a widely-published poet himself, he provides personalised feedback on every submission with insight and expert skill. Read more about David’s poetry and publications.

    Along with Gena, our Associate Editor, David has the ambition to make Dithering Chaps the home for excellent new poetry, changing the world one chapbook at a time!

Gena Herring, associate editor of Dithering Chaps, UK independent publisher of poetry chapbooks

  • Gena graduated from the University of Aberystwyth with a Joint Honours degree in English and Librarianship, so books are her passion!

    She will be thrilled to read your work and looks forward to receiving submissions.

    In addition to being associate editor, Gena produces our marketing material, and provides the voiceover for many of our posts on social media.

Jamie Truscott, cover designer for Dithering Chaps, UK independent publisher of poetry chapbooks

  • Jamie has been responsible for designing our covers ever since we fell in love with their work for Helen Kay’s collection, It Was Never About the Kingfisher. Find out more about their projects on their website.

    We really enjoy meeting up with them over a coffee, when they thrill us by amending covers on the fly, responding to the feedback from our chosen poets and coming up with the perfect cover. Thank you, Jamie!

Lawrence Kennedy, IT support officer for Dithering Chaps, UK independent publisher of poetry chapbooks

  • Who do we call when we need an IT expert? It has to be Lawrence! He’s a genius with technology, as well as being very cool. His super-power is staying calm in the face of technical obstacles, which keeps us calm, too.

    Thanks, Lawrence!