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A pair of acclaimed New Zealand authors have had their works excluded from consideration for the nation's esteemed literary award because of the use of artificial intelligence in designing their cover art.

Disqualification Details

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in October, but were ruled out the following thirty days because of new rules regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of both books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the awards organizers updated the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the covers for all entered 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 noted.

Writers' Reactions

Johnson expressed understanding for the award administrators, saying she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic fields, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she remarked. “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 authors typically have little input in cover design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used 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,” Johnson said, adding that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she struggles to recognize computer-created graphics.

The writer feared that the public might assume she employed AI to compose her book, which she categorically 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, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the artists spent considerable time creating her book's art, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that administers the prizes, said the trust takes a “firm stance on the use of AI in publications.”

“The trust does not take lightly a decision that prevents the latest works of two of New Zealand’s most esteemed writers from being considered for the 2026 award,” Legat stated.

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

The decision to revise the AI guidelines was driven by a aim to protect the creative and intellectual property rights of the country's authors and illustrators, she explained.

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

Industry Reflections

The publisher pointed out that publishing houses and authors regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize artificial intelligence, and this situation highlighted the pressing need for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

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

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

The application of AI in artistic fields has encountered increasing scrutiny as the tech advances, with some organizations creating methods to counter its impact.