Sceptre pre-empts Elisa Faison’s ‘razor-sharp’ debut in six-figure deal

Sceptre has signed Skin Contact, the debut novel from former bookseller Elisa Faison, in a “significant” six-figure deal. 

Executive publisher Federico Andornino and Reagan Arthur, Hachette Book Group senior vice president, pre-empted world English rights from Alexa Stark at Writers House. Italian rights were pre-empted by Einaudi Stile Libero. The novel will be published in summer 2026. 

The acquisition marks the first joint venture for Arthur’s new soon-to-be-named “boutique” imprint and Sceptre. Arthur’s new imprint will focus on publishing literary and commercial fiction.

Faison commented: “I couldn’t be happier to be working with Reagan and Fede. I’m totally in awe and humbled, to say the least, to be joining their incredible lists, which include some of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to see how their editorial visions enhance Skin Contact.”

Skin Contact is pitched as a “razor-sharp exploration of intimacy, non-monogamous desire and motherhood”. The story follows Frances, who is left unmoored following her mother’s death. Ben, her husband, will do anything to help and so when Frances proposes an open marriage, he agrees. “Over the next two years, they explore their sexualities and latent kinks; they navigate jealousy, betrayal, desire and obsession; they defend their choices – and their new identities – to confused friends. They do all of this together, as a team. But when Ben finds himself falling in love with another woman, just as Frances realises she’s ready to settle down and have a baby, they are forced to confront the consequences of their experiment.” 

“Furiously smart, wickedly funny and delightfully warm: Skin Contact is a real treat of a novel,” said Andornino. “I gobbled it up in a weekend and I can’t wait to see readers everywhere fall in love with Elisa Faison’s storytelling in the same way. And what a gift to have the opportunity to work with Reagan’s new imprint on this very special project: the perfect way to kickstart our partnership.”

Arthur added: “I thought I’d read and heard it all about open marriage – until I read Elisa Faison’s dazzling debut, a page-turning and deeply felt novel that expands our understanding of love, family, and friendship.”