Storytelling & Performance

The Speakies are looking for compelling stories, well told. Narrators, including author narrators and professional actors, should deliver a clear performance, well produced, that is true to the original story and intentions of the author. Pacing, style, characterisation, alongside clear pronunciation, are all aspects of the reading that the judges will focus on.

The Speakies are audio-first, and are therefore looking for examples where voice has been used to enhance the text, for example a well-known narrator might bring in a new audience for an already existing title; an adaptation might make some texts more accessible to wider audiences; an authentic rendition of a particular text might provide the listener with additional information about the text.

In the performance categories, there will be an emphasis on acting, the skills of the narrator/cast over the text. In some cases, a great performance might prove to have been the difference between a book or drama achieving lift off or not. In some cases, there may have been particular challenges around the material to read, its length, or the language used.

Casting & Production

The Speakies are looking for well produced audio titles that are true to the intentions of the original script, but which also bring into play elements that are unique to audio, including background noise, music, sound-effects, that enhance the listening experience the script.

The Speakies is keen to amplify the hard work of producers, so please do include details of how the audio was brought to fruition. What decisions were made around the narrator? Was it a single actor or cast? Was the audiobook produced in-house or via a third-party production house? How closely involved was the author? Was the text adapted to suit the different medium?

The judges will be looking for examples of excellence on the technical side, including the use of the medium and new technologies available to producers. Judges will focus on smart editing, a smooth mistake-free narration, and continuity of the reading.

For multi-cast productions, please provide additional material for how the recording was done; how the productions teams managed the talent; and how the text was successfully adapted for multiple voices.

Launch & Reception

The Speakies understands that not all audio products have the same level of promotion, and titles may land different with their audiences. However, this is as competitive space, and therefore our judges would like to hear how you brought this product to market, what were your ambitions for it, and how did you go about achieving them.

We’d love to read about your success stories - how well was the audio reviewed, did listeners enjoy it, did it win any other prizes or gain other accolades, finally, and how did it do commercially, evidenced either by charts success or sales numbers.

If there is an existing print title, please outline briefly how the audio differed from the original text, and whether it landed differently with the two distinct audiences. In the case of originals and dramas, please detail how you approached the campaign in the absence of a physical product, and how made sure this product stood out.

Audio Business of the Year

The Speakies will be looking for an outstanding audio business, either one creating audio, or a distributing/retailer of audio. Any UK or Irish business, or division of a larger entity, may enter this award, and there is no sales threshold.

We are looking for those businesses driving the market, small or big, through excellence, innovation, and attention to the potential of the medium; we are particularly focused on those businesses innovating with new ways of expanding the audio category, expanding the number of listeners the UK and beyond, and promoting the audio category. These businesses are in the vanguard of this growing market, and this award will significantly enhance their stature.