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Two acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their books disqualified from consideration for the country's prestigious literary award due to the use of artificial intelligence in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the next month due to recently introduced guidelines regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of both titles, the publisher, explained that the awards committee amended the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for all 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,” the publisher said.

Authors' Reactions

Johnson expressed sympathy for the award organizers, stating she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she remarked. “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.”

Johnson added that writers usually have minimal involvement in book design and was unaware AI had been used for her book cover, which features a cat with human-like dentition.

“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 younger age groups, she struggles to recognize computer-created images.

Johnson worried that readers might assume she employed artificial intelligence to write her book, which she emphatically did not do.

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

In a statement, Elizabeth Smither said that the designers devoted considerable time crafting her book's art, which includes a steam train and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by painter Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Position

Nicola Legat, chair of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, affirmed the trust maintains a strong position on the use of AI 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 said.

“However, the criteria apply to all entrants, regardless of their mana [status], and must be consistently applied to all.”

The move to revise the AI criteria was motivated by a aim to support the creative and copyright rights of the country's writers 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 regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the urgent requirement for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Smither and Stephanie Johnson have in the past served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs get little consideration during evaluation.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has faced increasing examination as the tech progresses, with some organizations creating ways to counter its influence.