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Two award-winning Kiwi authors have had their books disqualified from consideration for the nation's esteemed literary award because of the utilization of artificial intelligence in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's short story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's short novel collection "Angel Train" were entered for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its NZ$65,000 novel prize in October, but were ruled out the following month because of recently introduced guidelines concerning AI use.

The publishing house of the two books, the publisher, stated that the awards organizers updated the guidelines in August, by which time the covers for all submitted title would have previously been finalized.

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

Authors' Responses

Johnson voiced understanding for the award administrators, saying she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic industries, but was disappointed by the ruling.

“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t sad about it,” she commented. “This marks my 22nd publication and my fourth short story anthology. These tales … were composed over roughly two decades, making this a particularly significant work for me.”

She added that authors usually have minimal involvement in book design and was unaware artificial intelligence had been employed for her cover, which displays a cat with human 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, adding that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to identify computer-created images.

The writer worried that the public might think she employed AI to write her work, which she emphatically did not do.

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

In a comment, Elizabeth Smither said that the designers devoted considerable time crafting her book's cover, which features a locomotive and an angel “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by painter the artist's imagery.

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

Prize Trust's Position

The trust chair, chair of the book awards trust that oversees the prizes, affirmed the organization maintains a strong position on the use of artificial intelligence in books.”

“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,” Legat stated.

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

The move to amend the AI criteria was motivated by a desire to protect the creative and intellectual property interests of the country's writers and illustrators, she explained.

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

Publishing Reflections

Wilson pointed out that publishing houses and authors 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 Smither and Johnson have in the past served as judges for sections of the Ockham awards, and both stressed that cover designs get minimal consideration during judging.

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

The use of AI in artistic sectors has encountered growing examination as the technology progresses, with some groups developing methods to address its impact.