by Edie Melson @EdieMelson

For those of you getting ready for the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference you may have heard about the need for a One Sheet. This tool is also known as a Pitch Sheet or a One Page. It’s a one page presentation of the project you’re pitching to an editor or agent. Today I’ll be explaining how to put one together.

Please note, this is not a requirement. It is an easy way for an editor or an agent to grasp the idea you’re presenting. You’ll see all kinds of one sheets, from very basic, to those people have paid professionals to design and construct.

Below, I’ve included links to actual one sheets. All three led to multiple requests for proposal and full manuscripts. All three of these books have been published or contracted (Maiden of Iron released May 2018, and Soul Care in July 2018).

There are three basic components of a one sheet—the project blurb, specifics about the project and the author’s bio—including a picture and contact info. We’ll take each component individually and explain what’s included.

The Project Blurb

There are two schools of thought here. Some editors and agents prefer a back cover copy type of blurb, others want a full synopsis.

Project Specifics

This is where you give some of the details and they’re slightly different for fiction and non-fiction.

Fiction

• Genre – like Romance or Suspense.
• Manuscript Length – this doesn’t have to be an exact word count, just an approximation.
• Target Audience – every book should be written with an audience in mind. I know, we all think our book will appeal to a wide range of readers—and that may be true. But this tells the potential editor or agent how to market the book. It will help sell a publishing house on your manuscript by defining the reader you’re writing for.

*there isn’t a section here for completion date because it’s understood that a manuscript must be complete before it’s submitted. It’s okay to pitch an uncompleted manuscript with a one sheet, but it’s rare for anyone to look at it as a submission until it’s complete.

An example of a fiction one sheet with just a blurb

An example of a fiction one sheet with a synopsis

Non-Fiction

• Projected Completion Date: some publishers will contract a nonfiction work before it’s completed.
• Manuscript Length: again this is just an estimate, especially if the project isn’t finished.
• Target Audience: just like in fiction, you need to focus in on who specifically you’re targeting with this manuscript.

An example of a nonfiction one sheet

Author Info

This is where you need to include a personal bio, recent picture and contact information. A lot of writers hate composing a bio so later this week I’ll be posting a short How-to on writing bios. But the basics to consider are these:

A bio must be

• Relevant

It must give you

• Personality
• Credibility

All of these individual components will give you an effective one sheet. Be sure to post any questions or comments you have.

To register for the 2024 Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference,
call 1-800-588-7222

Edie Melson is a woman of faith with ink-stained fingers observing life through the lens of her camera. No matter whether she’s talking to writers, entrepreneurs, or readers, her first advice is always “Find your voice, live your story.” As an author, blogger, and speaker she’s encouraged and challenged audiences across the country and around the world. Her numerous books reflect her passion to help others develop the strength of their God-given gifts and apply them to their lives. Connect with her on her website,  through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.