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Two acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their books excluded from consideration for the country's prestigious literature prize because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the Ockham 2026 book awards and its NZ$65,000 fiction award in the tenth month, but were ruled out the next thirty days due to new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence usage.

The publisher of the two books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize committee amended the guidelines in August, by which time the covers 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

Johnson expressed sympathy for the award administrators, stating she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative 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.”

She further stated that authors typically have little involvement in cover design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which displays a cat 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,” the author said, adding that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she struggles to recognize computer-created images.

The writer worried that the public might assume she used AI to compose her work, 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 statement, Elizabeth Smither said that the designers devoted hours creating her publication's art, which features a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Award Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, said the trust maintains a “firm stance 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 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 artificial intelligence guidelines was driven by a aim to protect the artistic and copyright interests of the country's writers 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 publishers and writers often employ software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate AI, and this incident underscored the urgent requirement 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 sections of the Ockham awards, and both emphasized that cover designs get little attention during evaluation.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in artistic sectors has encountered increasing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups creating methods to counter its influence.