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A pair of award-winning Kiwi authors have had their books disqualified from contention for the nation's prestigious literary award due to the utilization of AI in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in October, but were disqualified the following month due to recently introduced rules concerning AI usage.

The publisher of both titles, the publisher, stated that the awards organizers updated the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for every submitted book would have previously been finalized.

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

Authors' Responses

The author expressed understanding for the prize administrators, stating she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative industries, but was let down by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” 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 minimal involvement in cover design and was unaware AI had been used for her cover, which features a feline 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 age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize computer-created graphics.

The writer feared that the public might think she used artificial intelligence to compose her book, which she emphatically did not do.

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

In a comment, Smither said that the designers devoted hours crafting her book's art, which features a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, said the organization takes a strong position 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 artificial intelligence guidelines was driven by a aim to protect the artistic and copyright interests of the country's authors and artists, she explained.

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

Publishing Reflections

The publisher noted that publishers and authors regularly employ tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize AI, and this situation highlighted the urgent requirement for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously been jurors for categories of the prizes, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal consideration during evaluation.

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

The use of AI in artistic sectors has faced growing examination as the technology advances, with some groups developing methods to address its impact.