Two of the UK’s leading cultural publications – The Bookseller and The Stage – have announced the launch of The British Audio Awards aka The Speakies, a brand-new annual event celebrating outstanding achievement in audiobooks and audio drama.
The British Audio Awards will shine a spotlight on ‘the most innovative, moving, and masterfully produced spoken-word entertainment of the year’. The organisers add: ‘From immersive thrillers to evocative memoirs, from new audio drama productions to stellar narration performances, The British Audio Awards will recognise the writers, narrators, producers, and creative teams who bring stories to life through sound.’
Editor of The Bookseller, Philip Jones, said:
“I am thrilled to debut these new awards that will further support one of the UK book trade’s most exciting growth sectors. Working with colleagues at The Stage to join the dots between audiobooks, audio drama and performance, has been vital as we look to amplify the creative spoken word sector in all of its forms. The publishing industry has already shown its backing for these awards, and we are also indebted to The Audie Awards in the US for shining the light three decades ago.”
Editor of The Stage, Alistair Smith, said:
“We’re thrilled to be collaborating with our sister publication The Bookseller to launch The Speakies. The UK’s audio sector is one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving areas of the creative industries, and these awards will shine a much-needed spotlight on its outstanding talent. We’re especially delighted to see audio drama recognised —it’s a vital yet often undervalued part of the performing arts landscape, and one in which British writers, performers, and theatre-makers consistently excel.”
Set to debut this November, The British Audio Awards aims to become a cornerstone in the UK’s audio landscape, recognising creative excellence in narration, performance, writing, and production across the sector.
Backed by a wide media campaign and industry support, The British Audio Awards will offer exposure not just for headline names but also for breakthrough talent. The awards encompass a broad spectrum of categories — from genre-specific audiobook honours to performance and production accolades.
The categories include:
Best Audiobook
- Fiction
- Crime & Thriller
- Science Fiction & Fantasy
- Romance
- Business/self-help
- Non Fiction
- Non Fiction Memoir
- Children’s Books
- Young Adult Books
Best Audio Drama
- New/Original Work
- Adaptation
Best Performance
- Best Performance
- Best Narrator
- Best Performance Ensemble
- Best Performance New voice
Overall
- Audio of the Year
- Audio Business of the Year
Key Dates
- Entries Open – June 7th – July 7th
- Shortlist Announced – September
- Ceremony – 24th November 2025
