Pushcart-Nominated Poet Accused of Plagiarizing Multiple Peers
Earlier this week, Twitter was full of up-and-coming writers celebrating their Pushcart Prize nominations. The Pushcart, which honors works published by small presses, is a coveted award, especially for new writers looking to sell their first books. But one of those nominees has come under fire for lifting words and images from multiple peers.
After the nominees were announced, poet Rachel McKibbens tweeted that two of poet Ailey O’Toole’s recently published poems plagiarize her own work, including the Pushcart-nominated poem, “Gun Metal,” which relies on images from McKibbens’ poem, “three strikes.”
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Update (4:21 p.m.): Poet Brenna Twohy has informed Jezebel that 13 lines from “Gun Metal” were taken directly from her book, Forgive Me My Salt.
https://jezebel.com/pushcart-nominated-poet-accused-of-plagiarizing-multipl-1830796824