You’ve registered for the conference. You’ve packed your favorite blazer, your laptop AND charger, you’ve rehearsed your elevator pitch in the bathroom mirror and with friends who sent you back to the bathroom mirror. But there’s one more thing you need before you walk through those doors.
The one sheet.
If you’ve never heard of it, don’t panic. If you’ve heard of it but keep putting it off, today’s the day we fix that. Because showing up to a writers conference without a one sheet is a little like showing up to a job interview without a résumé. You might survive — but you’re leaving opportunity on the table. Okay, maybe it’s not QUITE that tragic, but having a one sheet is better than not having one.
So, What Exactly Is this One Sheet thing?
It’s a single-page marketing document for your book. It’s a professional visual snapshot that editors and agents can hold in their hands that tells them everything they need to know about your project at a glance.
Think of it as the bridge between your pitch appointment and their memory of you. At a conference, an editor or agent will very likely meet with dozens of writers in a single day. Or if it’s Blue Ridge, three days in a row! Your one sheet is what keeps your project alive in that stack of possibilities they carry home.
Let’s be clear. It is not your full proposal. It is not your synopsis. It is the polished, visual front door to both of those things and it should make someone want to ring the bell.
Why Do You Need One?
- It demonstrates professionalism. Walking into an appointment with a polished one sheet signals that you understand the industry and you’re a writer who means business.
- It helps editors and agents remember you. Like I mentioned above, after back-to-back appointments, faces blur together. Your one sheet keeps your project findable.
- It does your talking for you. You have only a few minutes in that appointment. A well-designed one sheet communicates key information before you say a word.
- It’s shareable. An agent who loves your pitch may want to pass your one sheet along to an editor or other colleague. It makes it easy for champions to champion you.
- It also sharpens your thinking. The process of creating one is one of the best exercises you can do as a writer preparing to pitch.
- It can help keep you on track. Meeting agents and editors can be nerve wracking, and if you’re like me when you get nervous, my brain decides that’s a good time to take a vacation. Having the one sheet in front of you can help you remember what to say!
What Goes on a One Sheet?
Every element on your one sheet has a job to do. Here’s what to include:
1. Your Book’s Title and Subtitle (and Cover Art, if you have it)
This is the first thing the eye lands on, so make it bold and clean. If you have a mock cover or professional cover art, include it. If you don’t have cover art, that’s totally fine. A clean title treatment is far better than something that looks amateur.
2. Genre, Word Count, and Series Information
Be specific. “Romantic suspense” is more useful than “fiction.” Give the word count, and if this is part of a series, say so. If it stands alone, note that. Agents and editors need these basics immediately to know if your project is even in their wheelhouse.
3. A Compelling Hook or Tagline
One or two sentences. Think of it as the back-cover tease. It should raise a question, create tension, or promise an irresistible emotional journey.
Example: She’s the only witness to a murder. He’s the deputy sworn to protect her. But when the killer turns out to be someone she trusts, the only way to survive is to trust the one person she can’t afford to love.
4. Back-Cover-Style Description (150–200 words)
This is the heart of your one sheet. Write it the way a publisher would — punchy, present-tense, emotionally driven. Introduce your protagonist, establish the stakes, and hint at the central conflict. Do not summarize the entire plot. Your goal is intrigue, not explanation. End with a sentence that makes them want to read the book.
Preparing for the Conference: The One Sheet by @LynetteEason on @BRMCWC #Writingconference #Writing #BRMCWC Share on X
5. Comparable Titles (Comp Titles)
Two to three books o published within the last three to five years, ideally or authors your work resembles. Comp titles tell an editor where your book lives on the shelf and who your audience is. Choose wisely. Meaining, aim for titles that were reasonably successful, that genuinely reflect your book’s tone and genre, and that your target publisher would recognize. If you write in the CBA market, pull from CBA titles.
Format: “Fans of [Author Name]’s [Book Title] and [Author Name]’s [Book Title] will love this story of…”
6. Author Bio (Brief)
Keep it to two or three sentences. Focus on credentials relevant to your writing: publishing credits, platform, relevant life experience, awards. This is not the place for your full life story. If you’re unpublished, mention your platform, writing community involvement, or relevant background that showcases your writing.
7. Author Photo and Contact Information
Include a professional headshot. It should be current, clear, and well-lit. Again, professional. And don’t forget your contact information: email address, website, and your social media handles. Make it effortless for an interested editor/agent to follow up.
A Few One Sheet Do’s and Don’ts
DO: Keep it to one page. That’s not a suggestion. It’s the whole point.
DO: Make it visually attractive. Use a readable font, strategic white space, and a design that reflects your book’s genre and tone.
DO: Save it as a PDF so your formatting stays intact no matter whose computer opens it should you get a request to email it.
DON’T: Cram in too much text. If someone needs a magnifying glass, you’ve lost them.
DON’T: Include reviews or endorsements unless they’re from notable published authors or industry professionals. Save that space for the essentials.
DON’T: Apologize for your book anywhere on the page. Every word should communicate confidence.
You’ve Got This
Creating a one sheet can feel daunting, but think of it this way. If you can write a whole novel, you can write one page. And once it’s done, it becomes one of the hardest-working tools in your writer’s toolkit.
Bring printed copies to the conference and have a digital version ready to email. Have this prepared, you can feel confident walking into every appointment knowing you’re ready for the meeting.
Now go write that page. Your story deserves it.
Read the other Mentoring Moments posts here:
WEEK 1: Make The Most Of A Writing Conference
WEEK 2: Six Tips to Prepare for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
WEEK 3: Paid Mentoring – Preparing the Writer for The Blue Ridge Conference
WEEK 4: Paid Faculty Critiques at BRMCWC
WEEK 6: Preparing For The Conference: The Elevator Pitch
Lynette Eason is the best-selling, award-winning author of over sixty books including the Women of Justice series, the Deadly Reunions series, the Hidden Identity series, the Elite Guardians series, the Blue Justice series, and the Danger Never Sleeps series. She writes for Revell and for Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense line. Her books have appeared on the CBA, ECPA, and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. She has won several awards including the Carol Award, the IRCC award, the Selah, and the Christian Retailing’s Best 2017 Award. She placed in the top ten in the James Patterson 2016 co-writer contest. The movie, Her Stolen Past, based on Lynette’s novel with the same title, aired February 2, 2018 on the Lifetime Movie Network. Lynette is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), Romance Writers of America (RWA), Mystery Writers of America (MWA), International Thriller Writers (ITW), and Faith, Hope, and Love (FHL) chapter of RWA as well as the Kiss of Death (KOD) chapter.
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