(VOXtra) - The audiobook world's biggest annual night was truly a global affair last evening as the Audio Publishers Association (APA) announced the 2021 winners of the coveted Audie Awards® for outstanding achievement, in a virtual edition of the 26th annual Audie Awards Gala.

It was indeed a big night for audiobook narrator Robin Miles (pictured above), who won two Audies - as Best Female Narrator and as narrator of the Fantasy category winning audiobook The City We Became.

Actor/narrator Laurence Fishburne also won twice, as Best Male Narrator and narrator of the Autobiography/Memoir category winner, The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley.

And author Susan Clark's Piranesi, narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor (pictured) published by Bloomsbury PLC, was honored as Audiobook of the Year.

Judges particularly cited Ejiofor's narration as "a triumph of tone," a reading that "perfectly complements the author's intent," and one that "masterfully pulls us through the fog."

You can see all winners below.

Acclaimed audioboook narrators PJ Ochlan and Suzanne Elise Freeman eased into genial on-camera roles as hosts of the fast-moving Red Carpet welcome - a clever blend of live and recorded interviews with narrators and publishers, and a growing audience of thumbnail video viewers.

Early interviewee Michele Cobb, the APA's Executive Director, noted excitement to be connecting the Gala to a worldwide online audience - with more attendees than typical at the New York city in-person events.

Yet she added that there were "many challenges to presenting this virtually."

And it was perhaps a data overload of it all that caused audio/video synching problems and a 30-minute or so shut down of the program. The Gala resumed, right from the recorded start, on the APA's YouTube channel - where you can watch the entire recorded event now (don't miss the quick pan down to whatever Scott Brick was wearing).

Unfazed by the tech delay, emcee actor/narrator John Leguizamo launched a monologue of hilarious quips yet seriously praised the audiobook industry's diversity among finalists.

"The women, the LGBTQ community, my Latinx brothers and sisters, and overall, so, so many people of color. The audiobook industry has achieved a level of inclusivity and representation that other industries can only aspire to," he said.

And with that ...

Narrators Vikas Adam, January LaVoy and Jane Santos announced the finalists in each category and, when presenters opened the envelopes, the winners. Congratulations to all!

AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR

Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke, narrated by Chiwetel Ejiofor, published by Bloomsbury PLC 

The Autobiography of Malcolm X: As Told to Alex Haley, by Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley, narrated by Laurence Fishburne, published by Audible, Inc.  

BUSINESS/PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

The Gift: 12 Lessons to Save Your Life, by Dr. Edith Eva Eger, narrated by Tovah Feldshuh, published by Simon & Schuster Audio  

FAITH-BASED FICTION & NON-FICTION

His Truth Is Marching On: John Lewis and the Power of Hope, by Jon Meacham, with an afterword by John Lewis, narrated by JD Jackson, published by Penguin Random House Audio  

HUMOR

A Very Punchable Face, written and narrated by Colin Jost, published by Penguin Random House Audio  

The Death of Vivek Oji, by Akwaeke Emezi, narrated by Yetide Badaki and Chukwudi Iwuji, published by Penguin Random House Audio  

MIDDLE GRADE

Fair Warning, by Michael Connelly, narrated by Peter Giles and Zach Villa, published by Hachette Audio  

NARRATION BY AUTHOR OR AUTHORS

YOUNG ADULT

The Audie Awards is the premier awards program in the United States recognizing distinction in audiobooks and spoken-word entertainment. For more, visit www.audiopub.org/winners/2021-audies.

The Audio Publishers Association is a not-for-profit trade organization comprised of publishers, narrators and other affiliated with the industry. For more - including how to join, visit www.audiopub.org.