Careless People by Sarah Wynn Williams wins audio award despite author not being allowed to promote it

Earlier this year, on 13 March – the book’s UK publication date – an emergency arbitrator in the US prohibited Wynn-Williams from promoting or further distributing copies of her book. The emergency arbitrator ruled that Wynn-Williams was therefore prevented 'from making orally, in writing or otherwise any disparaging, critical or otherwise detrimental comments to any person or entity concerning [Meta].'

Collecting the trophy on stage, accompanied by her editor, Wynn-Williams commented:

'Thank you. This is an extraordinary honour. It is quite something to receive a “Speakie Award” when the reality is that is the one thing I am not allowed to do. To speak.'

Mike Harpley, Publisher of Pan Non-fiction and Wynn-Williams’ editor, commented further:

'As Sarah’s editor, it is an honour to stand here tonight with her – not just to accept an award, but to celebrate her profound and astonishing courage.'

Mike Harpley’s speech in full

'Thank you. As Sarah’s editor, it is an honour to stand here tonight with her - not just to accept an award, but to celebrate her profound and astonishing courage.

The journey of this book was defined by a confrontation. As many of you know, Meta – a public company that shapes the daily reality of billions – attempted to block this memoir using a sweeping non-disparagement agreement. They are trying to claim that this bans her from saying anything critical about the company. Even in private. Forever.  At this moment, Meta is suing her for more money than most of us in this room can imagine. Simply for telling her story.

The US Congress continues to investigate the issues Sarah brought to light in Careless People and MPs here in the UK have raised concerns in Parliament about Meta’s behaviour towards Sarah. It is striking that in 2025 an American company has silenced her globally on issues that matter to all of us – including the safety and wellbeing of our children.

And that is where the irony becomes breathtaking. We are asked to accept silence from a CEO who regularly steps onto global platforms to champion ‘free speech’. Yet, when that free speech is used to challenge his own organisation, the legal machinery is deployed to suppress it. Their rhetoric is about connection; their actions are about control.

This is precisely what makes Sarah’s voice so essential – and collecting this trophy so poignant.

‘We live in a political and media climate where truth can be deleted, distorted, and digitised out of existence. Every day, the narrative is fluid. That is why the book – the long-form, authenticated record - is crucial. We are here tonight because we believe in books that hold power to account, that demand transparency, and that ensure no corporation – no matter its resources – can silence free speech.’

I have been privileged to work with many brave writers, but Sarah's courage is entirely unique. It isn't just her grim determination to face a corporate Goliath. It is her resilience of spirit. Despite the legal threats and the pressure, she has not lost her most vital weapon: her sense of humour. It is a trait that is richly evident throughout her reading of Careless People – the audiobook we are here to celebrate tonight.

We live in a political and media climate where truth can be deleted, distorted, and digitised out of existence. Every day, the narrative is fluid. That is why the book – the long-form, authenticated record - is crucial. We are here tonight because we believe in books that hold power to account, that demand transparency, and that ensure no corporation – no matter its resources – can silence free speech.

Thank you to Sarah for entrusting us with this important book. Thank you to her agents Cath Summerhayes of Curtis Brown and Christy Fletcher of UTA in the US. And thank you to the extraordinary team who worked on Careless People, both in the audio team and beyond – both here at Pan Macmillan and at Flatiron at Macmillan US – this a true Macmillan collaboration. Keeping this project a closely guarded secret before publication was no small feat – you remained committed and calm in the face of considerable pressure – and you demonstrated that publishing is not just a business, it’s a mission.

Finally, I’d like to acknowledge every other publisher in this room that is prepared to take such risks – we are the guardians of long-form courage.

Thank you.'

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Welcome to Facebook. From wild schemes cooked up on private jets to risking prison abroad, Careless People exposes both the personal and political fallout when boundless power and a rotten culture take hold. In a gripping and often absurd narrative, former Director of Global Public Policy Sarah Wynn-Williams rubs shoulders with Mark Zuckerberg, Sheryl Sandberg and world leaders, revealing what really goes on among the global elite – and the consequences this has for all of us. Careless People gives you a front-row seat to the decisions that are shaping our world and the people who make them. 

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