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A pair of award-winning Kiwi authors have had their books excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literary prize because of the utilization of AI in designing their book covers.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction award in October, but were ruled out the following thirty days due to recently introduced guidelines regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of the two books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards committee amended the guidelines in August, by which time the covers for all entered title 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 voiced sympathy for the award administrators, saying she has serious worries about AI in artistic industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” 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.”

Johnson added that authors typically have minimal involvement in book design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her book cover, which features a feline 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 more tech-savvy generations, she finds it difficult to recognize computer-created images.

Johnson feared that the public might think she employed AI to compose 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 expressed that the designers spent considerable time creating her book's cover, which features a steam train and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Award Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, said the trust 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 stated.

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

The decision to revise the AI guidelines was motivated by a aim to support the artistic and intellectual property interests of the country's authors and illustrators, she added.

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

Industry Considerations

The publisher pointed out that publishers and writers regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the pressing requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have previously served as judges for sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs receive minimal attention during judging.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative fields has encountered increasing scrutiny as the tech progresses, with some organizations developing ways to counter its influence.