Sceptre pre-empts Sigrid Adamsson’s Danish bestseller, Clouds
Sceptre has pre-empted Clouds, the debut novel by Danish author Sigrid Adamsson. Editor Nico Parfitt acquired world English-language rights from Astri von Arbin Ahlander at First Edition Management, in a deal struck at London Book Fair.
Rights have sold in nine territories to date, including multiple pre-empts: Estonia (Rahva Raamat), Germany (Ullstein x Park), Hungary (Park), Italy (Einaudi Stile Libero), Netherlands (Nijgh & Van Ditmar), Norway (Kagge) and Spain (PRH/Reservoir).
Described as a “stylistically original and compulsively readable novel about the intensity of friendship,” Clouds was originally published in Denmark by Gads Forlag in January 2026, where it became an instant bestseller. Now on its fourth printing, it remains in the charts 11 weeks after its release. Sceptre will publish in summer 2027, with Hazel Evans translating.
The blurb reads: “A and O are best friends. They move through the night together – between clubs and gallery openings, hungover mornings and shared glances that say more than words. When something suddenly breaks in O, a fissure opens between them. As O withdraws, and is eventually admitted to a psychiatric ward, A is forced to confront a painful question: what is friendship, if you cannot save each other?”
Parfitt said: “Clouds is a mesmerising exploration of friendship, love and grief. It’s about the youthful struggle of finding yourself, and the messy business of navigating a world filled with both so much joy and possibility, and so much disappointment and heartbreak. Sigrid writes in such a cool, singular style, observing her characters with a rare intensity. It’s a book that you’ll read in one sitting but be thinking about for a long time. We’re thrilled to be bringing such a talented author to Sceptre."
Adamsson is a culture critic at the Danish newspaper Politiken, with a background as a literary translator and editor. She is currently enrolled in the MA Arts & Culture programme at Columbia Journalism School in New York.
She said: “I am beyond honoured and excited for Clouds to be published by Sceptre, who have published some of the most exciting books I have read in recent years. I have been deeply fascinated to see my novel come to life and find its own voice in English with Hazel Evans’ beautiful translation. Publishing this novel opened a new and mysterious portal to the world around me, and I cannot wait to see how this newfound connection might extend beyond country borders.”
