Suzi Ruffell and Sarah Wynn Williams triumph at the inaugural British Audio Awards
Am I Having Fun Now? by Suzi Ruffell and Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams triumphed at the inaugural British Audio Awards - “Speakies” - at the Royal Ballet and Opera House yesterday evening (24th November 2025).
Ruffell’s brutally honest and funny memoir was awarded the trophy for business or self help audiobook of the year, whilst Wynn William’s explosive memoir was named non-fiction memoir audiobook of the year.
Judges commented that listening to Ruffell’s audiobook - which explores Ruffell’s own life while providing a guide for others’ - was “like sitting down with the author for a cup of tea.”
The judges commended the audiobook - narrated by the author herself alongside guest appearances - for providing an “experience that drew listeners deep into the book,” as well as its “superb media campaign.”
‘Suzi must be a producer’s dream. It feels like having a cup of tea with someone who’s talking to you personally… I could have listened to it for hours at a time.’
— Judging Panel on Am I Having Fun Now?
As Ruffell took to the stage she thanked her partner alongside her colleagues and friends who took part in the audiobook.
Sarah Wynn Williams’ gripping memoir of her time at Meta was described as “the audiobook of the moment” by judges. Self-narrated and recorded in top secret, the intimate account and considered process behind it was praised by the panel.
‘The narration is just brilliant and added so much to the story… everything was really well handled.’
— Judging Panel on Careless People
The memoir’s author Sarah Wynn Williams is not allowed to promote the book after Meta filed a lawsuit against her in arbitration, claiming she violated a non-disparagement agreement signed upon her departure.
Appearing on stage to collect the award, 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.”
Speaking next to her on stage, Mike Harpley, publisher in non-fiction and Wynn Williams’ editor, commented further:
“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.”
You can read Harpley’s speech in full here.
To read more about the winners, visit the Bookseller website
