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Two acclaimed Kiwi authors have had their books excluded from consideration for the nation's prestigious literary award due to the utilization of artificial intelligence in creating their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

Stephanie Johnson's story compilation "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered 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 guidelines concerning AI usage.

The publisher of both titles, the publisher, explained that the prize organizers amended the criteria in the eighth month, by which time the cover designs for every entered book would have previously been finalized.

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

Writers' Reactions

The author voiced sympathy for the award administrators, stating she shares serious worries about AI in creative fields, but was let down by the decision.

“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 further stated that authors usually have little involvement in book design and was did not know AI had been used for her book cover, which features a cat with human teeth.

“I believed it was an actual cat photo with superimposed teeth, but that was not the case,” the author said, adding that unlike younger generations, she finds it difficult to recognize computer-created graphics.

Johnson worried that the public might assume she employed artificial intelligence to compose 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 spent considerable time creating her book's art, which includes a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, inspired by artist Marc Chagall's figures.

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

Prize Trust's Stance

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, said the trust maintains a “firm stance on the use 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 said.

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

The move to amend the artificial intelligence criteria was driven by a aim to protect the artistic and copyright interests 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.”

Industry Reflections

Wilson noted that publishing houses and writers often employ tools like grammar checkers and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this incident highlighted the pressing need for carefully crafted guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Stephanie Johnson have previously been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that cover designs get little consideration during evaluation.

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

The use of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has encountered growing examination as the tech progresses, with some organizations developing ways to counter its impact.