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A pair of acclaimed Kiwi writers have had their works excluded from contention for the nation's esteemed literature award due to the utilization of AI in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Details

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in the tenth month, but were ruled out the next month due to new rules concerning AI use.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards committee updated the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for every submitted title would have previously been finalized.

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

Authors' Responses

Johnson expressed understanding for the prize administrators, saying she shares deep concerns 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.”

She further stated that authors usually have little involvement in book artwork and was did not know AI had been employed for her cover, which displays a feline with human-like 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 struggles to recognize computer-created graphics.

Johnson worried that readers might think she used AI to compose her book, which she emphatically did not do.

“Instead of talking about my book … and what the inspiration was, we are talking about bloody AI, which I hate.”

In a comment, Smither expressed that the designers devoted considerable time creating her book's cover, which features a steam train and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter the artist's imagery.

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

Award Trust's Position

The trust chair, 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,” she said.

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

The decision to amend the AI criteria was motivated by a desire to protect the creative and copyright rights of the country's writers and artists, she added.

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

Publishing Reflections

The publisher noted that publishers and authors often use tools like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this situation highlighted the pressing need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for categories of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers get minimal consideration during judging.

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

The application of AI in creative sectors has faced growing examination as the tech advances, with some organizations creating ways to counter its impact.