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A pair of acclaimed Kiwi writers have had their books disqualified from contention for the country's esteemed literary prize due to the use of AI in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following month due to recently introduced guidelines concerning artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize organizers amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which time the covers for every entered title would have already been finalized.

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

Writers' Responses

Johnson voiced understanding for the award administrators, saying she has serious worries about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was disappointed 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.”

She further stated that writers usually have minimal input in cover design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which displays a feline with human teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” Johnson explained, noting that unlike younger age groups, she struggles to recognize AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might think she employed AI to compose her work, which she categorically did not do.

“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 hours creating her book's cover, which features a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, inspired by artist the artist's imagery.

“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 book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, said the organization maintains a strong position 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,” she said.

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

The decision to revise the AI guidelines was driven by a desire to support the artistic and intellectual property rights of the country's authors and artists, she added.

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

Publishing Considerations

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and authors regularly employ software like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the urgent need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have previously been jurors for categories of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that covers receive little consideration during judging.

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

The use of AI in artistic fields has encountered growing scrutiny as the technology advances, with some groups developing methods to counter its impact.