The British Audio Awards – aka “The Speakies” – celebrate excellence in all things audiobooks and audio drama, and they’ll be handed out on Monday 24 November at, of course, a gala event in the Royal Opera House’s Linbury Theatre.
The BFS has been delighted to sponsor the Best Audiobook: Science Fiction & Fantasy category, and we featured some of the nominees in this episode of Long Story Short, our own entry into the audio world. The full shortlist for the category is:
- Bee Speaker by Adrian Tchaikovsky, narrated by Adrian Tchaikovsky, Rod Hallett & Gabrielle Nellis-Pain (Head of Zeus)
- Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by VE Schwab, narrated by Marisa Calin, Katie Leung & Julia Whelan (Pan Macmillan)
- Count Zero by William Gibson, narrated by Alix Wilton Regan, Kyle Soller & Sebastián Capitán Viveros (WF Howes)
- Doctor Who: Agent of the Daleks by Steve Lyons, narrated by Maureen O’Brien, Nicholas Briggs (BBC Studios)
- Queen B by Juno Dawson, narrated by Nicola Coughlan (Harper Collins)
- The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan, narrated by Rosamund Pike (Macmillan Audio)
Ahead of the event, we spoke with Juno Dawson and Steve Lyons to hear more about their audiobooks, and why it should be their entries that win.
Juno Dawson on Queen B, narrated by Nicola Coughlan
How important are audiobooks to your fiction world?
I think in a world of a million distractions, anything that connects an author with a reader is a wonderful thing. It’s the same story delivered in a different medium, and people have their preferences. I love that so many readers have discovered this series through the audios.
Do you have audio interpretations in mind when creating?
To begin with, no, but once I met Nicola, and understood her incredible range, I did start to think of her when I was writing. There’s a couple of in-jokes that eagle-eared listeners might spot! She’s so up for a challenge – I threw in some rogue accents for her to try.
What’s the key to a great audiobook, for you?
For me it’s about a tone and a voice. You want an actor who really embodies the main character. It can make or break an audiobook for me. I’ve been so incredibly lucky to have Nicola on this series – one of the best actors working today.
How does it feel to be nominated for a Speakie?
I’m delighted, because the audiobooks have been so key to the success of this series. A lot of people discovered my work because of the word-of-mouth around the audiobook, and I think that deserves recognition.
Why do you think your audiobook should win?
Because the others are shit? KIDDING! Don’t cancel me! Seriously, Nicola Coughlan poured her heart and soul into all four titles. She’s one of the busiest actors working today and I’m endlessly grateful she found the time to record the whole series. I’d love this award for her, and for all the listeners who joined our little coven.
Steve Lyons on Doctor Who: Agent of the Daleks by Steve Lyons, narrated by Maureen O’Brien and Nicholas Briggs
How important are audiobooks to your fiction world?
They’re a vital part of the jigsaw, bringing stories to life in a different way to other media. I have to be in the right mood to put on an audiobook, as for me they require more concentration than other formats, but they often reward that effort with a deeper sense of immersion in their fictional worlds.
Do you have audio interpretations in mind when creating?
Very much so. I’m always reading the words out loud to myself, and looking for the opportunities that the audiobook format gives me – for example, where something can be established or a mood enhanced by a judicious sound effect instead of by spelling it out. For Agent of the Daleks, I had two readers, so in one scene I was able to shift into scripted dialogue between two characters – one of them a Dalek! – to hopefully draw listeners further into the scene.
What’s the key to a great audiobook, for you?
I think a great audiobook can provide a more intimate experience than printed prose or scripted drama. It should feel like a good friend is telling you a story, and giving you an emotional connection to it, drawing you into that world.
How does it feel to be nominated for a Speakie?
Flattering, obviously, and a bit surreal. I’ve been writing for thirty-plus years, but mostly in the realm of tie-in fiction, which often feels overlooked, so this feels especially nice and unexpected.
Why should it be your audiobook that wins?
Oh, well, as implied above, it would be great to challenge the idea that tie-in fiction is somehow less worthy, that it can’t contain fresh ideas and have heart and push boundaries as Doctor Who in all its various forms always has done. And I can say, somewhat impartially, that the production and narration of Agent of the Daleks is among the best I’ve heard. I love how this particular story has been brought to life.
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