The British Audio Awards—dubbed “The Speakies”—have officially revealed their shortlists for the inaugural 2025 ceremony, spotlighting the finest achievements in audiobooks and audio drama. A joint venture between The Bookseller and The Stage, the awards aim to amplify the creative synergy between writing, performance, and production in the booming audio storytelling industry.
A Star-Studded Lineup Across Genres
This year’s nominees span a rich tapestry of genres, from literary fiction to sci-fi, romance, and children’s literature. Notable entries include:
– Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
– Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton
– Precipice by Robert Harris
– Patriot by Alexei Navalny, winner of the British Book Awards Book of the Year
Classic reimaginings also dominate the lists, with Gatsby in Harlem (inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald) earning three nominations, alongside adaptations of Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale and Charles Dickens’ Our Mutual Friend.
Performance at the Heart of Audio Excellence
Alistair Smith, editor of The Stage, emphasized the centrality of performance: “The shortlists across both audiobook and audio drama categories underline why acting talent—from household names to new voices—is at the heart of this vibrant medium”.
Among the standout performances:
– Queen B by Juno Dawson, voiced by Nicola Coughlan
– Swept Away by Beth O’Leary, featuring Connor Swindells and Rebekah Hinds
– Rivals by Jilly Cooper, narrated by Georgia Tennant
Audio Company of the Year Contenders
Nine companies are vying for Audio Company of the Year, including retailers xigxag, Spiracle, and Yoto, and publishers Penguin Random House Audio, WF Howes, and Hachette UK. Sponsors include Audible, Spotify, Bolinda, London Book Fair, and WF Howes.
Ceremony Details
Actor and comedian Sally Phillips will host the winners’ ceremony at London’s Royal Opera House on 24 November 2025. Media partners supporting the awards include The Weirdos Book Club with Sara Pascoe and Cariad Lloyd, Book Off with Joe Haddow, Countryfile Plodcast, Jampot Productions, and the British Fantasy Society.
Philip Jones, editor of The Bookseller, summed up the spirit of the event: “Audio is making a noise and it deserves to. The combination of great writing, with great acting, with great production is written all over these shortlists”.
For the full shortlist and audio extracts, visit The Speakies website.
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