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A pair of acclaimed Kiwi writers have had their books excluded from consideration for the nation's prestigious literature prize due to the utilization of AI in creating their cover art.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "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 because of recently introduced rules concerning artificial intelligence use.

The publisher of both titles, Quentin Wilson, stated that the awards organizers updated the guidelines in August, by which time the covers for every entered book would have previously been completed.

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

Writers' Reactions

The author expressed understanding for the prize administrators, stating 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 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.”

Johnson added that authors usually have little input in book artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which displays a cat with human teeth.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” Johnson explained, noting that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize AI-generated graphics.

Johnson worried that readers might assume she used AI to compose her book, which she emphatically denied.

“Rather than discussing my book's themes and inspirations, we're focused on this AI issue, which I despise.”

In a statement, Elizabeth Smither said that the artists devoted hours crafting her publication's cover, which includes a steam train and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter the artist's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, said the trust takes a strong position on the application 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,” Legat stated.

“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 criteria was motivated by a desire to support the artistic and intellectual property interests of the country's authors and illustrators, she added.

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

Publishing Considerations

Wilson noted that publishing houses and authors regularly employ tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this situation underscored the pressing requirement for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past served as judges for sections of the prizes, and both stressed that covers get little consideration during judging.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative fields has faced growing scrutiny as the technology progresses, with some organizations developing ways to address its influence.