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Two award-winning New Zealand writers have had their books disqualified from consideration for the country's esteemed literature prize because of the use of AI in designing their book covers.

Disqualification Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the next thirty days because of recently introduced guidelines regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of both titles, the publisher, stated that the awards organizers amended the criteria in the eighth month, by which time 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,” Wilson said.

Authors' Responses

Johnson voiced sympathy for the award organizers, saying she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she commented. “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 added that writers typically have little involvement in cover design and was unaware AI had been employed for her book 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,” the author said, noting that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to identify computer-created graphics.

Johnson feared that the public might assume she used 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 statement, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the artists devoted hours creating her book's art, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter the artist's imagery.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, affirmed the organization maintains 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 move to amend the artificial intelligence guidelines was driven by a desire to protect the artistic and intellectual property rights of the nation's writers and illustrators, she explained.

“As AI evolves, there may well be a need for the trust to revisit and develop the criteria further.”

Publishing Considerations

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and writers often use tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which utilize AI, and this incident underscored 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 been jurors for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers receive little attention during evaluation.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in artistic fields has faced growing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some groups creating ways to counter its impact.