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Two award-winning Kiwi writers have had their works disqualified from contention for the country's esteemed literary award because of the use of AI in creating their cover art.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the following month due to new guidelines concerning AI usage.

The publishing house of both books, the publisher, stated that the prize committee amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for all 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' Responses

Johnson expressed understanding for the prize administrators, saying she shares serious worries about AI in creative industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“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 further stated that writers typically have little input in cover artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which displays a cat with human dentition.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” Johnson said, noting that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she struggles to identify computer-created graphics.

Johnson worried that the public might assume she used AI to compose her work, which she emphatically denied.

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

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither said that the artists devoted considerable time crafting her book's cover, which includes a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

The trust chair, chair of the book awards trust that administers the prizes, said the organization takes a “firm stance on the application of artificial intelligence 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 said.

“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 criteria was motivated by a aim to protect the creative and copyright rights of the country's authors 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

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and writers regularly employ software like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this incident highlighted the pressing requirement for well-defined guidelines.

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

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

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has faced growing examination as the tech advances, with some organizations creating methods to counter its impact.