Events & Announcements
Events
Dithering Chaps is an independent UK poetry chapbook publisher, and this page brings together the events that shape the life of our small press. From chapbook launches and readings to festival appearances and community gatherings, these moments let us celebrate our poets and share their work with readers. Whether you’re joining us in person or following along from afar, this is where you’ll find what’s happening next.
You can browse the publications we’ve created here.
It’s worth mentioning that we are open all year round for submissions, and you can find out how to send us your work here.
Words in Watchet - Dithering Chaps Appear!
Dithering Chaps press are introducing themselves at the Words in Watchet Festival in 2026.
On Saturday 21st February, DG Herring (Dithering Chaps’ own lead editor, David Herring) will be reading his poem, Couple Observed in Le Petit Prince While Waiting for the Cobblers to Open, which was highly commended by judges. Then on the Sunday, three of our poets, Helen Kay, Christopher James and Nicole Durman will be reading a selection of their poetry at a celebration of the spoken word.
The Ice Sonnets - Publication Day and Launch
1st December is Antarctica Day and we couldn’t resist choosing that date to publish The Ice Sonnets.
The launch of this exciting collection of poetry will take place online on Thursday 11th December from 7.45pm to 8.45pm. Join us, won’t you?
Launch of Nicole Durman's 'Ghosts of Nightshifts Past'
Come and join us at our favourite venue - a bookshop - to celebrate the publication of our latest chapbook, Nicole Durman’s ‘Ghosts of Nightshifts Past’.
Entry is free, but you can reserve a seat and make sure you get a copy of her book by visiting the bookshop’s website.
If you can’t make it over to Somerset, please order your copy from our shop.
Bournemouth Writing Festival - Author Marketplace
Come and meet Dithering Chaps and have a chat about our books, our submissions process, or our plans for the next year.
If you’ve got a poetry collection that you’re seeking to have published, come and give us your elevator pitch. You never know, your book could be out next year!
Bourn Jammy
Dithering Chaps is proud to be guest-of-honour at this year’s Bourn Jammy event.
We’ll be presenting the poetry winner of the Bournemouth Writing Prize.
It’ll be a blast and should be one of the hottest tickets at this year’s Bournemouth Writing Festival.
Open Mic at the Goat and Trike!!
FREE EVENT!
Dithering Chaps is proud to curate an open mic poetry event, headlining Helen Kay and a host of local poetry talent.
Open mic slots will be available on the day and we’ll be collecting for Vita Nova.
It Was Never About the Kingfisher - Book Launch
We are really looking forward to launching the publication of It Was Never About the Kingfisher on 18th January in Nantwich. For more details, click on the link below …
Book launch - From There to Here
We are publishing From There to Here on 15th October, and launching it at the London Welsh Centre that evening ...
Bournemouth Writing Festival - Anthology Launch - Lines in the Sand
The Bournemouth Writing Festival launches Lines in the Sand
DG Herring performs at the Bournemouth Writing Festival
DG Herring performs at the Bournemouth Writing Festival
D G Herring is being published in New Isles Press
You saw him here first, but now our own D G Herring is being published in the New Isles Press!
Bournemouth Writing Festival - Writing Competition Launch: Lines in the Sand
Bournemouth Writing Festival - Writing Competition is now open for submissions and Dithering Chaps is involved!
Book Launch - Gifts of the Dark
Come to the launch of our new chapbook, Gifts of the Dark, by Simon Bowden. Click below for more details!
Bournemouth Writing Festival - Discussion Panel
Ethical Dilemmas for Writers - where to draw the line
We will be hosting a discussion panel at the Goat and Tricycle in Bournemouth on the moral maze facing authors. Tickets can be bought here. As always, click on the picture for more information.
Bournemouth Writing Festival Open Mic
We are proud to announce that our first published author, D G Herring, will be performing his poem ‘Quantum of Solace’ at the Bournemouth Writing Festival Open Mic Session, to be held in the main auditorium of the Palace Court Theatre, Upper Hinton Rd, Bournemouth, BH1 2AJ on Saturday 22 April 2023 from 7pm. Tickets can be purchased here
Book Launch - The Sheliand
We launched our first chapbook, The Sheliand in March 2023 with canapes and a champagne toast to the author, D G Herring.