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A pair of award-winning Kiwi authors have had their works excluded from consideration for the nation's prestigious literature prize because of the use of AI in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella collection "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in October, but were ruled out the next thirty days because of recently introduced guidelines regarding AI use.

The publisher of the two books, the publisher, stated that the awards committee updated the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for all submitted book would have previously been finalized.

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

Authors' Reactions

The author expressed understanding for the prize administrators, saying she has serious worries about AI in artistic fields, but was let down by the ruling.

“It would be untrue to claim I am not upset by this,” she commented. “This marks my 22nd publication and my fourth short story anthology. These tales … were composed over roughly two decades, making this a particularly significant work for me.”

Johnson further stated that writers typically have little involvement in cover artwork and was unaware AI had been used for her book cover, which features a cat with human-like teeth.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” the author explained, adding that unlike younger generations, she struggles to recognize AI-generated graphics.

Johnson worried that readers might think she employed artificial intelligence 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 comment, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the artists devoted considerable time creating her book's cover, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Committee's Position

The trust chair, chair of the award foundation that administers the Ockham awards, said the trust takes a “firm stance on the application of artificial intelligence in books.”

“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 move to revise the AI guidelines was motivated by a aim to support the creative and copyright interests of the nation's authors 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 authors often use software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this incident highlighted the urgent need for well-defined policies.

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

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

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

The application of artificial intelligence in artistic fields has faced growing examination as the technology advances, with some organizations developing methods to address its influence.