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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their books excluded from consideration for the nation's prestigious literary prize because of the use of AI in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Details

The author's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in October, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of recently introduced guidelines concerning artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of the two books, the publisher, explained that the prize organizers updated the guidelines in August, by which point the covers for every submitted book would have previously 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.

Writers' Responses

The author voiced sympathy for the award administrators, saying she shares serious worries about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was let down by the decision.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” 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 authors usually have little involvement in book design and was unaware AI had been used 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,” the author said, adding that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated images.

The writer worried that readers might think she employed AI to write her book, which she emphatically denied.

“Instead of talking about my book … and what the inspiration was, we are talking about bloody AI, which I hate.”

In a comment, Smither expressed that the designers devoted considerable time creating her publication's cover, which features a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

The trust chair, head of the book awards trust that administers the prizes, affirmed the organization maintains a “firm stance on the use 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.

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

The move to amend the AI guidelines was motivated by a desire to protect the creative and intellectual property interests of the nation's writers and illustrators, she added.

“With artificial intelligence advancing, the trust may need to review and refine these criteria in the future.”

Industry Reflections

The publisher noted that publishing houses and authors often use tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this incident underscored the pressing requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that covers receive minimal consideration during evaluation.

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

The application of AI in artistic fields has encountered growing scrutiny as the technology advances, with some organizations creating ways to counter its influence.