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A pair of award-winning New Zealand writers have had their books disqualified from consideration for the nation's esteemed literary award because of the utilization of AI in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and the writer's short novel set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham book awards and its $65,000 New Zealand dollar novel award in October, but were ruled out the following month due to new rules regarding artificial intelligence use.

The publishing house of the two books, Quentin Wilson, explained that the prize organizers amended the criteria in August, by which point the covers for all submitted book would have previously been completed.

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

Writers' Responses

The author voiced sympathy for the prize organizers, saying she shares deep concerns about artificial intelligence in artistic industries, but was disappointed 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.”

She further stated that authors usually have minimal involvement in book design and was did not know artificial intelligence had been employed for her book 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, noting that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize computer-created graphics.

Johnson feared that readers might think she employed AI to compose her book, 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, Elizabeth Smither expressed that the designers devoted considerable time creating her publication's cover, which includes a locomotive and an celestial figure partially hidden by smoke, influenced by painter Marc Chagall's imagery.

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

Prize Committee's Position

Nicola Legat, head of the award foundation that oversees the Ockham awards, affirmed the trust takes a “firm stance on the application 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.

“Nevertheless, the rules apply equally to every participant, no matter their standing, and must be enforced uniformly.”

The move to revise the AI guidelines was motivated by a desire to protect the artistic and intellectual property interests of the country's authors and illustrators, she explained.

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

Publishing Considerations

The publisher noted that publishers and authors often use software like grammar checkers and image editors, which utilize AI, and this incident highlighted the pressing requirement for carefully crafted policies.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have in the past served as judges for sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that covers get little attention during judging.

“The text itself and its detailed analysis were all that mattered,” the author said.

The application of AI in creative fields has encountered increasing examination as the technology advances, with some organizations creating methods to counter its impact.