News of our December cut-off and a Dithering Chaps annual round-up

Festive greetings, everyone!

We are fast approaching the end of a a very successful and enjoyable publishing year for Dithering Chaps. Thank you so much to everyone who has bought our books or submitted their poems. We couldn't do it without your support!

Our headlines for 2025

Helen Kay's collection, 'It Was Never About the Kingfisher' was shortlisted for the Rubery Awards; Nicole Durman's 'Ghosts of Nightshifts Past' launched to a packed house, over the Summer; and Christopher James' 'The Ice Sonnets' will be featured by the BBC World Service on December 27th.

What a great year for Gena and myself, and our thanks go to Jamie Truscott, our cover designer, for their stand-out creative inputs.

Our December cut-off

One final task remains on our to-do list this year, namely to compile our shortlist for poets who have not previously published a full collection. Such has been the quality of submissions this year that we will also announce a list of 'highly commended' poets in this category, for whom we couldn't quite find a place in the shortlist.

We'll publish our shortlist and list of highly commended poets on the News section of our website and social media, in early January. So, if you are in the running, please keep your eyes open for these posts.

More of the same, next year, please!

2026 promises to be just as action-packed and poetically-vibrant!

We recently met up with Ceri Morgan, whose poetry collection 'Unstuck' speaks to us in so many ways. We can't wait to share her words with you next year.

Our submissions window remains open, with our next cut-off coming at the end of March. The poet we choose then will be published by the end of 2026.

We hope the festive period allows space for you all to do a little writing, and we can't wait to read the poems you come up with in the New Year.

Many thanks and season’s greetings,

David and Gena Herring