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A pair of award-winning Kiwi authors have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's esteemed literature prize because of the use of AI in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in October, but were disqualified the next thirty days due to recently introduced rules regarding AI use.

The publisher of both titles, Quentin Wilson, stated that the prize organizers updated the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for every entered book would have previously been completed.

“Consequently, it was much too late for publishers to incorporate this new rule into their design plans,” Wilson said.

Authors' Reactions

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

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

She added that writers typically have minimal input in book design and was did not know AI had been employed for her cover, which features a feline with human-like dentition.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” Johnson said, noting that unlike younger age groups, she struggles to recognize computer-created images.

Johnson worried that readers might think she used AI to write her book, which she categorically denied.

“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 said that the artists devoted considerable time creating her book's cover, which includes a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist the artist's imagery.

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

Award Committee's Stance

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, said the trust maintains a “firm stance on the use of AI in books.”

“We do not make such a decision lightly, one that bars the newest works by two of New Zealand's most respected authors from the 2026 prize,” Legat stated.

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

The move to amend 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.”

Publishing Reflections

Wilson pointed out that publishers and writers regularly employ tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the urgent need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past served as judges for sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that covers receive minimal attention during evaluation.

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

The application of AI in artistic sectors has encountered increasing scrutiny as the tech progresses, with some groups creating methods to address its influence.