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Two acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their books excluded from consideration for the nation's prestigious literature award because of the use of artificial intelligence in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel award in October, but were disqualified the following month due to new rules concerning AI use.

The publisher of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize organizers updated the guidelines in August, by which point the cover designs for every submitted book 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,” Wilson noted.

Authors' Reactions

The author voiced understanding for the award administrators, saying she has serious worries about AI in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” 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 further stated that writers typically have minimal involvement in book design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which displays a feline with human-like teeth.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” Johnson said, noting that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she struggles to identify computer-created graphics.

The writer worried that readers might think she used AI to write her work, which she categorically denied.

“Rather than discussing my book's themes and inspirations, we're focused on this AI issue, which I despise.”

In a comment, Smither said that the designers spent hours crafting her publication's cover, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, inspired by artist the artist's imagery.

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

Award Trust's Stance

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, said the organization maintains a strong position 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 artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a aim to protect the creative and copyright interests 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 Considerations

The publisher noted that publishers and writers often employ software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this situation highlighted the pressing need for carefully crafted guidelines.

“Our industry must collaborate to prevent a recurrence of this scenario.”

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

“The contents and the close reading were everything,” the author concluded.

The use of AI in creative fields has encountered increasing examination as the technology advances, with some organizations creating ways to address its influence.