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Two acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's prestigious literary prize due to the use of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the following month because of recently introduced rules concerning AI use.

The publisher of both titles, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards committee updated the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for every submitted title 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' Responses

The author voiced sympathy for the award organizers, saying she has deep concerns about AI in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“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.”

Johnson added that writers typically have minimal input in book design and was unaware AI had been employed for her book cover, which features a cat with human-like teeth.

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

Johnson worried that readers might assume she employed AI to compose 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 said that the artists spent hours creating her publication's cover, which includes a locomotive and an angel 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,” Smither stated.

Prize Committee's Position

The trust chair, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, affirmed the trust takes a “firm stance on the application of artificial intelligence 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 revise the artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a desire to protect the creative and intellectual property interests of the nation's authors and artists, she explained.

“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 authors often use software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the pressing requirement for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously served as judges for sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs get little attention during judging.

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

The use of AI in creative sectors has encountered growing examination as the technology advances, with some groups creating ways to address its impact.