Authors Eliminated from New Zealand's Top Book Award Following Artificial Intelligence Usage in Book Cover Artwork

A pair of award-winning Kiwi authors have had their works disqualified from contention for the nation's esteemed literary award due to the use of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Disqualification Details

Stephanie Johnson's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 fiction award in October, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of new guidelines concerning AI usage.

The publisher of both titles, the publisher, stated that the awards organizers amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for all submitted book would have previously been completed.

“It was, therefore, far too late for any publisher to have taken this clause into account in their design briefs,” the publisher said.

Writers' Responses

The author expressed understanding for the award administrators, stating she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative 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 typically have little input in book design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been used for her 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 said, noting that unlike younger age groups, she struggles to recognize AI-generated images.

The writer feared that the public might assume she used artificial intelligence to write her work, 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, Smither expressed that the artists devoted considerable time creating her publication's art, which features a steam train and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, said 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.

“However, the criteria apply to all entrants, regardless of their mana [status], and must be consistently applied to all.”

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

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

Industry Considerations

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and authors often employ tools like Grammarly and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this situation underscored the pressing need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs receive minimal attention during evaluation.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative fields has encountered increasing examination as the tech progresses, with some groups developing methods to address its impact.