Sceptre signs Wendy Erskine’s ‘rigorously intelligent’ debut novel in 24-hour pre-empt

Sceptre has signed Wendy Erskine’s The Benefactors in a 24-hour pre-empt. 

Editorial director Ansa Khan Khattak acquired UK and Commonwealth rights, excluding Canada, from Lucy Luck at C&W for publication on 19th June 2025. 

Erskine’s “brutal, tender and rigorously intelligent” debut novel follows Frankie, Miriam and Bronagh, all mothers to 18-year-old boys, in contemporary Northern Ireland. 

The synopsis continues: “They do not know each other yet, but when their sons are accused of sexually assaulting Misty Johnston, whose family lacks the wealth and social standing of their own, they’ll leverage all the power of their position to protect their children.” 

Khattak, who previously published Erskin’s short story collections at Picador, commented: “Wendy Erskine is one of the greatest writers at work today, and I was just blown away by The Benefactors – a novel about family and goodness, about privilege and entitlement, and the transformative power of money. But most of all, it’s about the people involved – you feel for them, you hate them, and they make you laugh. I’m honoured and beyond excited to be publishing it here at Sceptre.” 

Erskine added: “Ansa was the first person in UK publishing to ‘get’ my particular literary sensibility, so it was a dream come true when a 24-hour pre-empt came through, and it was from Sceptre – and her! I feel privileged to be working once more with such a talented editor and great person. And it’s very exciting to be part of the Sceptre team. I’ve loved the experience so far.”