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Two acclaimed Kiwi authors have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's prestigious literary prize due to the use of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar fiction award in October, but were disqualified the following thirty days due to new guidelines regarding AI usage.

The publisher of both titles, the publisher, explained that the awards organizers amended the guidelines in the eighth month, by which point the cover designs for every submitted title would have already been completed.

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

Writers' Responses

The author voiced sympathy for the prize administrators, stating she has deep concerns about AI in artistic industries, but was let down 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 usually have little involvement in cover design and was did not know AI had been employed for her book cover, which displays a cat with human-like teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author explained, noting that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she struggles to recognize AI-generated graphics.

Johnson feared that the public might think she used AI 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 comment, Smither said that the artists devoted considerable time creating her book's cover, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by artist the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Position

The trust chair, chair of the award foundation that administers the prizes, said the trust takes a “firm stance on the use of artificial intelligence 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,” she said.

“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 criteria was motivated by a desire to support the artistic and copyright rights of the nation's writers and artists, she explained.

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

Publishing Considerations

Wilson noted that publishers and authors often use tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this situation highlighted the pressing requirement for well-defined policies.

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

Both Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that cover designs get minimal attention during judging.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has encountered increasing scrutiny as the tech advances, with some groups developing ways to address its impact.