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A pair of award-winning New Zealand authors have had their books disqualified from consideration for the country's prestigious literary prize due to the utilization of AI in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in October, but were disqualified the next month due to new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of the two books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards committee updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which point the covers for every entered title would have already been completed.

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

Authors' Responses

The author voiced sympathy for the award administrators, stating she has serious worries about AI in creative industries, but was disappointed by the decision.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she remarked. “This marks my 22nd publication and my fourth short story anthology. These tales … were composed over roughly two decades, making this a particularly significant work for me.”

Johnson further stated that writers typically have little input in cover design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which displays a cat with human teeth.

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

Johnson feared that the public might think she used AI 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, Smither said that the designers devoted considerable time creating her publication's art, which features a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

“My primary concern is for the designers: their careful, detailed work … is not being respected,” she remarked.

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, said the organization takes a “firm stance on the application of AI in books.”

“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,” Legat said.

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

The decision to revise the AI guidelines was motivated by a aim to protect the creative and copyright interests of the country's authors and artists, she explained.

“As AI evolves, there may well be a need for the trust to revisit and develop the criteria further.”

Publishing Reflections

The publisher noted that publishing houses and authors regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the pressing need for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have previously served as judges for sections of the prizes, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal attention during evaluation.

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” Smither said.

The application of AI in creative sectors has encountered increasing scrutiny as the technology advances, with some groups developing ways to counter its impact.