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Two award-winning New Zealand authors have had their books excluded from consideration for the country's esteemed literary award because of the utilization of AI in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Details

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in the tenth month, but were disqualified the next thirty days because of new guidelines concerning artificial intelligence usage.

The publishing house of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize committee amended the criteria in August, by which time the cover designs for all submitted title would have already been finalized.

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

Authors' Responses

Johnson expressed understanding for the award organizers, stating she has deep concerns about AI in creative fields, but was let down by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” 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.”

She added that authors usually have little input in cover artwork and was did not know artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which features a feline 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, noting that unlike more tech-savvy generations, she struggles to recognize computer-created images.

Johnson worried that the public might think she employed artificial intelligence to write 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 statement, Elizabeth Smither said that the designers devoted hours creating her book's art, which features a locomotive and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the award foundation that oversees the prizes, affirmed 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.

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

The move to amend the AI criteria was driven by a aim to protect the creative and intellectual property rights of the nation's authors and artists, she added.

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

Publishing Considerations

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and writers regularly use tools like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which incorporate artificial intelligence, and this situation underscored the pressing need for carefully crafted 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 Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers receive minimal attention during evaluation.

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” Smither concluded.

The use of AI in creative sectors has encountered increasing examination as the technology progresses, with some organizations developing ways to address its influence.