What are the main accusations against the Plaza Prizes?

The Plaza Prizes are accused of not paying judges, and of disqualifying winners based on unproven AI usage allegations.

What was the reason for disqualifying winners from the Plaza Prizes?

Winners were disqualified after being flagged by AI content detectors, despite their strenuous denials of using AI.

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Plaza Prizes Under Fire: Judges Unpaid, Winners Accused of AI

Q: Who are the main figures involved in the Plaza Prizes controversy?

The controversy involves judges like Booker Prize winner Damon Galgut and TS Eliot prize winner Anthony Joseph, and founder Simon Kerr, alongside disqualified winners.

18 Apr

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Summary

Judges and winners claim non-payment and disqualification from the Plaza Prizes.
Booker Prize winner Damon Galgut calls the competition a 'scam'.
Winners were disqualified over AI use allegations they deny.

Plaza Prizes Under Fire: Judges Unpaid, Winners Accused of AI

The Plaza Prizes, established in 2022, has reportedly ceased operations amidst widespread controversy. Judges, including Booker Prize laureate Damon Galgut and TS Eliot prize winner Anthony Joseph, assert they have not received payment for their contributions to the 2025 competition. Galgut has publicly denounced the event as a 'scam' due to non-payment for judging.

Furthermore, multiple winners have reported their entries being withdrawn. They were accused of using AI to generate their work, allegations they strongly deny and contest. One audio poetry prize winner stated his work, originally published in 2018, was disqualified with an email citing a zero-tolerance AI policy. Winners claim they were not given a chance to prove their work's originality.