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Two acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works excluded from consideration for the country's esteemed literature award due to the utilization of AI in designing their book covers.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction award in the tenth month, but were disqualified the next thirty days due to new rules regarding AI use.

The publisher of both titles, the publisher, stated that the prize organizers amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for every submitted book would have previously been completed.

“It was, therefore, far too late for any publisher to have taken this clause into account in their design briefs,” Wilson noted.

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed understanding for the prize organizers, saying she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was let down by the decision.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she commented. “It’s my 22nd book, and it is my fourth collection of short stories. These stories … were written over a sort of 20 year period, so for me, it’s quite an important book.”

She added that authors typically have little input in book design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which features a cat with human-like teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” Johnson said, adding that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she struggles to recognize AI-generated images.

Johnson worried that the public might assume she employed artificial intelligence to write her book, which she categorically did not do.

“Instead of talking about my book … and what the inspiration was, we are talking about bloody AI, which I hate.”

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the designers devoted considerable time creating her book's cover, which features a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by painter the artist's imagery.

“It is them I am most concerned about: that their meticulous work … is being disrespected,” she remarked.

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, head of the award foundation that administers the prizes, said the organization takes a strong position on the application of artificial intelligence in publications.”

“The trust does not take lightly a decision that prevents the latest works of two of New Zealand’s most esteemed writers from being considered for the 2026 award,” she stated.

“Nevertheless, the rules apply equally to every participant, no matter their standing, and must be enforced uniformly.”

The move to revise the AI criteria was driven by a aim to protect the creative and intellectual property rights of the country's authors and illustrators, she explained.

“With artificial intelligence advancing, the trust may need to review and refine these criteria in the future.”

Industry Reflections

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and authors often employ tools like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this situation highlighted the urgent requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

“As an industry, we must work together to ensure that this situation does not happen again.”

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have previously been jurors for sections of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers receive little consideration during judging.

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” the author concluded.

The application of AI in artistic fields has encountered growing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups creating ways to counter its influence.