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A pair of award-winning New Zealand authors have had their works disqualified from consideration for the nation's esteemed literature award because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in designing their cover art.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's short story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel award in October, but were disqualified the following thirty days due to new guidelines regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publisher of both books, Quentin Wilson, stated that the prize organizers updated the criteria in August, by which point the covers for every submitted book would have already been completed.

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

Authors' Responses

The author expressed understanding for the prize administrators, stating she has deep concerns about AI in creative fields, but was disappointed 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.”

Johnson added that writers typically have little input in book artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used 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 finds it difficult to recognize computer-created images.

The writer worried that the public might think she employed AI to write her work, which she categorically denied.

“Rather than discussing my book's themes and inspirations, we're focused on this AI issue, which I despise.”

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the designers devoted considerable time creating her book's art, which includes a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter the artist's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Position

The trust chair, chair of the book awards trust that administers the Ockham awards, affirmed the trust maintains a strong position on the use of AI in books.”

“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,” Legat stated.

“However, the criteria apply to all entrants, regardless of their mana [status], and must be consistently applied to all.”

The decision to revise the artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a desire to support the artistic and copyright interests of the country's writers and artists, she explained.

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

Publishing Reflections

Wilson noted that publishers and authors often use software like grammar checkers and Photoshop, which utilize AI, and this situation highlighted the pressing requirement for carefully crafted 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 prizes, and both emphasized that covers receive little consideration during judging.

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

The application of AI in creative sectors has encountered growing examination as the tech advances, with some organizations creating ways to address its influence.