Creating an Effective One Sheet

by Susan F. Craft @SusanFCraft

A One Sheet provides information about your manuscript, which can be presented to an editor or and agent. It includes the following:

Brief Synopses of Your Project

Include two versions: a 25-word pitch, and a longer version of approximately 500-600 words—similar to what would be on the back cover of a novel.

Write the synopsis in present tense, third-person, even though your project may be first-person. Make sure you include important plot points or topics of your manuscript; you don’t want to keep an agent or editor guessing.

Include the genre and the word count.

Be sure to include compelling images.

Illustrations.

Include pictures/graphics that help describe your manuscript.

Photo

Professionals have differing opinions on whether to include a picture of yourself, but if you have a professional portrait, include it. It will help the editor or agent remember you after the conference ends.

Contact Information

Be sure to include your name, address, phone number, email address and website. If you have a blog that features your own writing, you’ll want to include it too, so the editors and agents can see samples of your writing.

Layout of your One Sheet

Use professional software, such as Microsoft Publisher, to create your  One Sheet. Use the template for a flyer, or from the first page of a newsletter, to get the look you want.

Color attracts attention, so use white paper, black font for the main text, and graphic design to add a touch of color.

The use of colored paper can strike an editor as the mark of an amateur, so it’s best to avoid and use colored ink for design instead. Don’t use it for the main text—that’s another amateur flag.

Use a standard font like Times New Roman, size 12, for your One Sheet, but enlarge and bold the title of your project.

When meeting with an agent or editor at a conference, casually hand them your One Sheet as you make your pitch. The One Sheet is a great ice-breaker, but don’t read directly from it. Use it as a tool to get your project noticed.

Susan F. Craft is the author of The Chamomile, a SIBA award winning Revolutionary War romantic suspense, and of it sequel Laurel, a post-Revolutionary War romantic suspense. The third novel in this trilogy, Cassia, will be released by Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas this September.

Susan can be reached at the follow social media outlets:

www.susanfcraft.com (website)

http://historicalfictionalightintime.blogspot.com  (personal blog)

http://colonialquills.blogspot.com (post the fourth Monday of each month)

http://stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com (post once a month)

http://www.hhhistory.com (post on the 31^st of months that have a 31^st)

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.craft.108

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/susanfc/

Twitter: @susanfcraft