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AUDIO PRODUCTION AWARDS 2026: THE AUDIOBOOK SHORTLIST, FROM FICTION AND NON-FICTION TO NARRATOR OF THE YEAR.

By London Audiobooks ·

In brief

  • AudioUK unveiled the shortlist for the 2026 Audio Production Awards (APAs) on 26 October, covering podcasts, radio and audiobooks.
  • Winners will be announced on Thursday 26 November 2026 at BFI Southbank, London, hosted by comedian and podcaster Kiri Pritchard-McLean. The awards are sponsored by Audible.
  • Fiction Audiobook nominees include Bonnier Books UK Audio, HarperCollins, Marston Editions and three Penguin Audio / Penguin Random House credits.
  • Non-Fiction Audiobook nominees include Bonnier Books UK Audio, Nosy Crow, three Penguin Audio credits and The Guardian.
  • Narrator nominees include Nicola Walker for The Weekend, Cush Jumbo for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Clarke Peters, Helen Zaltzman, Melanie Crawley, Sara Starling and Morwenna Rose.
  • Penguin Studios is shortlisted for Production Company of the Year. AudioUK notes that its small team produces more than 500 audiobooks a year.

The shortlist is out

AudioUK announced the APA shortlist on 26 October 2026. RadioToday and PodcastingToday confirmed the same day that winners will be revealed at BFI Southbank on Thursday 26 November, with Kiri Pritchard-McLean hosting. The awards site is theapas.co.uk. (AudioUK; RadioToday; PodcastingToday)

Chris Baughen, CEO of AudioUK, said: "This year's shortlist is a brilliant reflection of the creativity, ambition and talent across the UK's podcast and audio industry. From established names to emerging creators and independent freelancers, it's fantastic to see such a broad range of people and productions being recognised." (AudioUK)

The Bookseller reports Penguin Random House, Bonnier Books UK, HarperCollins and Nosy Crow among the nominees, with Penguin Studios also shortlisted for Production Company of the Year. (The Bookseller)

Fiction Audiobook

AudioUK's Fiction Audiobook shortlist: (AudioUK)

  • Bonnier Books UK Audio
  • Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Jassa Ahluwalia – HarperCollins Publishers
  • Alex Morrall – Marston Editions
  • Michael Pender – Penguin Audio
  • Alfie Thompson – Penguin Audio
  • Chris Ahjem – Penguin Audio

(RadioToday lists Alfie Thompson and Chris Ahjem under Penguin Random House; AudioUK's own page credits them to Penguin Audio.)

Non-Fiction Audiobook

The Non-Fiction Audiobook shortlist: (AudioUK)

  • Bonnier Books UK Audio
  • Meg Meloy, Viola Ugolini, Alex Brown and Strathmore Studios – Nosy Crow
  • Alfie Thompson – Penguin Audio
  • Chris Thompson – Penguin Audio
  • Michael Pender – Penguin Audio
  • Nicola Alexandrou – The Guardian

Narrator

The Narrator category, sponsored by BeeAudio, shortlists: (AudioUK; RadioToday)

  • Nicola Walker – Bonnier Books UK (AudioUK highlights her narration of T.M. Logan's The Weekend)
  • Clarke Peters – BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds
  • Cush Jumbo for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix – Audible Studios, Pottermore and String & Tins
  • Helen Zaltzman – Freelance
  • Melanie Crawley – Freelance
  • Sara Starling – Freelance
  • Morwenna Rose – The Book of Arralan

Publishers and production companies in the mix

Production Company of the Year, sponsored by RiskBox, shortlists Bengo Media, Bespoken Media, Peanut & Crumb, Penguin Studios, Sony Music Podcasts, Stak and Tandem Productions. AudioUK singles out Penguin Studios as a small team producing more than 500 audiobooks a year, including Arundhati Roy's Mother Mary Comes to Me. (AudioUK)

Elsewhere on the list that will interest audiobook producers: Sound Design includes Audible Studios, Pottermore Publishing and String & Tins; Ensemble Cast includes a Platform Media and Audible UK company; Kids Content includes Viola Ugolini for Nosy Crow; and New Voice includes Louis Critchley for audiobook narration. (AudioUK)

Ceremony details

  • When: Thursday 26 November 2026
  • Where: BFI Southbank, London
  • Host: Kiri Pritchard-McLean
  • Sponsor: Audible
  • Tickets: AudioUK lists early-bird prices (ending 9 November) at £75 + VAT for AudioUK members and £85 + VAT for non-members
  • Access: a Pay What You Can scheme, supported by Amazon Music, offers a limited number of free or discounted tickets; contact hello@audioproductionawards.co.uk
  • The AudioUK Award for outstanding contribution will be revealed on the night

(AudioUK; PodcastingToday)

Why it matters for audiobook producers

The APAs put publishers, narrators and production teams on the same shortlists as podcast and radio houses. For London studios recording single-voice, multi-voice and full-cast titles, Fiction and Non-Fiction Audiobook, Narrator, Ensemble Cast and Sound Design are the categories that track the craft that shows up in the finished file.

London Audiobooks records and produces audiobooks for publishers, rights owners and authors from our London studios. Planning a single-voice, multi-voice or full-cast production? See our service for publishers or tell us about your book.

FAQ

When are the Audio Production Awards 2026?
Thursday 26 November 2026 at BFI Southbank, London. The shortlist was announced on 26 October 2026.

Who is hosting the APAs 2026?
Comedian, broadcaster and podcaster Kiri Pritchard-McLean.

Who is shortlisted for Fiction Audiobook?
Bonnier Books UK Audio; Rashmi Sirdeshpande and Jassa Ahluwalia for HarperCollins; Alex Morrall for Marston Editions; and Michael Pender, Alfie Thompson and Chris Ahjem for Penguin Audio.

Who is shortlisted for Non-Fiction Audiobook?
Bonnier Books UK Audio; Meg Meloy, Viola Ugolini, Alex Brown and Strathmore Studios for Nosy Crow; Alfie Thompson, Chris Thompson and Michael Pender for Penguin Audio; and Nicola Alexandrou for The Guardian.

Who is shortlisted for Narrator?
Nicola Walker, Clarke Peters, Cush Jumbo (for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), Helen Zaltzman, Melanie Crawley, Sara Starling and Morwenna Rose.

Who sponsors the 2026 APAs?
Audible sponsors the awards. Individual categories carry their own sponsors, including BeeAudio for Narrator and RiskBox for Production Company of the Year.

Sources