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A pair of acclaimed Kiwi writers have had their books disqualified from contention for the nation's prestigious literature award because of the utilization of AI in designing their book covers.

Disqualification Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction prize in October, but were disqualified the following month due to new rules concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of both titles, the publisher, explained that the awards committee amended the criteria in August, by which point the covers for every entered 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,” the publisher said.

Authors' Reactions

Johnson voiced understanding for the award administrators, stating she shares serious worries about AI in artistic industries, but was let down by the ruling.

“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 writers usually have little input in cover design and was unaware AI had been employed for her book cover, which features a cat with human dentition.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” Johnson said, noting that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she finds it difficult to identify AI-generated images.

The writer worried that readers might assume she used artificial intelligence to write her work, which she categorically denied.

“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 spent hours crafting her book's art, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, inspired by artist the artist's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Position

The trust chair, chair of the award foundation that administers the prizes, affirmed the trust maintains a “firm stance on the use of AI in publications.”

“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,” she stated.

“Nevertheless, the rules apply equally to every participant, no matter their standing, and must be enforced uniformly.”

The decision to amend the AI guidelines was driven by a desire to support the creative and copyright interests of the nation's authors and illustrators, she added.

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

Industry Considerations

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and writers often employ software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this incident highlighted the pressing requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

“As an industry, we must work together to ensure that this situation does not happen again.”

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past served as judges for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers receive little attention during evaluation.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in artistic sectors has encountered increasing scrutiny as the tech advances, with some organizations developing ways to address its impact.