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Two acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works excluded from consideration for the nation's prestigious literature prize because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in the tenth month, but were disqualified the next month because of new rules regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the prize committee amended the guidelines in August, by which point the covers for all entered title would have already been finalized.

“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 shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was let down 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 added that authors typically have minimal input in book design and was did not know AI had been employed for her book cover, which displays a cat 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, adding that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to identify computer-created graphics.

Johnson worried that the public might think she used artificial intelligence 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 statement, Smither said that the designers spent considerable time creating her book's art, which includes a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Award Trust's Position

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the organization maintains a strong position on the use of artificial intelligence 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.

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

The decision to amend the AI guidelines was driven by a desire to protect the artistic and intellectual property interests of the country's writers and illustrators, she explained.

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

Industry Considerations

Wilson noted that publishing houses and authors regularly use tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize AI, and this situation highlighted the pressing requirement for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have previously been jurors for categories of the prizes, and both emphasized that covers receive minimal attention during judging.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has faced growing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups developing ways to counter its influence.