Authors Removed from Aotearoa's Top Book Award Following Artificial Intelligence Use in Book Cover Artwork

Two acclaimed New Zealand writers have had their works disqualified from contention for the country's prestigious literature prize because of the use of AI in designing their book covers.

Exclusion Particulars

The author's story collection "Obligate Carnivore" and Elizabeth Smither's novella set "Angel Train" were submitted for the 2026 Ockham literary prizes and its NZ$65,000 fiction prize in October, but were ruled out the following thirty days due to recently introduced guidelines regarding artificial intelligence usage.

The publisher of both titles, the publisher, explained that the awards committee amended the guidelines in August, by which time the covers for every submitted title would have previously been completed.

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

Authors' Reactions

The author voiced sympathy for the prize administrators, saying she has deep concerns about artificial intelligence in creative fields, but was disappointed by the decision.

“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.”

She added that authors typically have little input in book artwork and was unaware artificial intelligence had been used for her book cover, which displays a cat with human teeth.

“I just thought it was a photograph of a real cat and the teeth had been superimposed, but apparently it wasn’t,” the author said, adding that unlike younger age groups, she finds it difficult to recognize AI-generated graphics.

The writer worried that the public might think she used artificial intelligence to write her book, 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 statement, Smither expressed that the artists devoted considerable time creating her publication's cover, which features a locomotive and an celestial figure “half-obscured in the smoke”, influenced by artist the artist's figures.

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

Prize Committee's Stance

The trust chair, head of the award foundation that administers the prizes, affirmed the organization maintains a “firm stance on the use of artificial intelligence in publications.”

“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 said.

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

The decision to amend the artificial intelligence guidelines was motivated by a desire to protect the creative and copyright rights of the country's writers and illustrators, she explained.

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

Industry Reflections

The publisher pointed out that publishers and writers often employ tools like Grammarly and image editors, which incorporate AI, and this incident highlighted the pressing need for well-defined guidelines.

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

Both Elizabeth Smither and Johnson have in the past been jurors for sections of the prizes, and both emphasized that cover designs get minimal attention during evaluation.

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

The use of AI in creative fields has faced growing examination as the tech progresses, with some organizations developing ways to counter its impact.