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A pair of award-winning New Zealand writers have had their books disqualified from consideration for the country's esteemed literary prize due to the use of AI in creating their book covers.

Exclusion Details

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel prize in the tenth month, but were disqualified the next month because of new rules regarding AI usage.

The publisher of the two titles, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize organizers amended the guidelines in August, by which time the cover designs for every submitted title would have already been finalized.

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

Writers' Responses

The author expressed sympathy for the prize administrators, saying 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. “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 further stated that authors typically have minimal involvement in book design and was did not know AI had been employed for her book cover, which features a cat 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,” Johnson explained, adding that unlike more tech-savvy age groups, she struggles to identify computer-created images.

The writer feared that readers might think she used AI to compose her work, which she categorically denied.

“Instead of talking about my book … and what the inspiration was, we are talking about bloody AI, which I hate.”

In a comment, Smither expressed that the designers devoted considerable time creating her publication's cover, which includes a steam train and an angel partially hidden by smoke, inspired by painter the artist's imagery.

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

Award Trust's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the book awards trust that oversees the Ockham awards, said the trust maintains a strong position on the use of artificial intelligence 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 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 guidelines was driven by a aim to protect the creative and copyright interests of the country'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.”

Industry Considerations

Wilson noted that publishing houses and writers regularly use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize AI, and this incident underscored the pressing requirement for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Smither and Johnson have previously been jurors for sections of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that covers receive minimal consideration during judging.

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

The application of artificial intelligence in creative sectors has faced increasing examination as the tech progresses, with some groups creating ways to counter its impact.