AI Controversy Strikes: New Zealand Authors Disqualified from Top Book Award Over Cover Designs

Two New Zealand authors lose their spot for a top book prize over AI-made cover art.

The committee set a rule in Aug 2025. The rule stated no AI in art. Johnson’s book, Obligate Carnivore, and Smither’s book, Angel Train, used AI art. They joined the contest for a NZ$65,000 prize in Oct 2025. Their work did not meet the new rule.

Publisher Quentin Wilson spoke on the matter. He said the rule came too late. The covers were done when the rule changed. He called this a hard hit for two fine books. His words hurt both the writers and their design teams.

Johnson, now 22nd in her list of books, said she did not know of the AI use. Her cover shows a cat with human teeth. She thought the image was just photo work. She fears readers may mix up her work with AI help. She insists her book does not use AI in the text.

Smither shared her own words. Her cover shows a steam train and an angel lost in smoke. The design took a lot of skill and care. Both writers have judged contests before. They say that deep reading of the text has always held more weight than the cover.

Chair Nicola Legat spoke for the trust. She said the rule aims to protect writers and artists. She made it clear that every entrant meets the same rule, no matter their past work. Legat added that new tech may call for new rules soon.

Wilson also pointed to common tools like Grammarly and Photoshop. He said even these tools use parts of AI. He called for clear, agreed rules to help stop this kind of fight in the future.

This news shows a hard task for the book world in a time of new tech. It adds a look at how book prizes must mix new methods with care for art and rights.

For more on this story and on AI’s work in art, stay with The Guardian.