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Two acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their books disqualified from contention for the country's prestigious literary prize because of the use of AI in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in October, but were ruled out the next month because of recently introduced guidelines regarding AI usage.

The publisher of both books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the prize organizers updated the criteria in August, by which point the covers for every submitted 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' Responses

The author expressed sympathy for the prize organizers, saying she has serious worries about AI in creative industries, but was disappointed 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 little involvement in book artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which features a feline with human-like dentition.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” Johnson explained, adding that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she struggles to identify AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might think she employed AI to write her book, which she categorically denied.

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

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither said that the designers spent considerable time crafting her publication's art, which includes a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Award Trust's Stance

The trust chair, chair of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, said the trust maintains a “firm stance on the application of artificial intelligence in publications.”

“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 artificial intelligence criteria was motivated by a aim to support the artistic and intellectual property rights of the nation's writers and artists, she explained.

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

Industry Reflections

Wilson pointed out that publishers and writers regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the pressing need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have in the past served as judges for sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that covers receive minimal attention during evaluation.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in artistic sectors has faced increasing scrutiny as the tech advances, with some groups developing methods to counter its influence.