• Skip to content

Krista Phillips

Finding Joy in the Journey

Main navigation

  • Home
  • About Krista
    • Meet Krista
    • Media Kit
    • Annabelle
  • Books
    • Match Me If You Can
    • The Engagement Plot
    • Romance (ish) Novellas
    • The Sandwich Series
  • Blog
  • Contact
    • Contact
    • Subscribe to my Newsletter!

August 17, 2009

Onesheets: 2009 Conference Series

People call these many different things. Sell sheets and one-sheets are the most common that I’ve heard though.

And I’ve seen a TON of different suggestions about these, so I’ve concluded that there is no right or wrong way to do them.

But, some may be asking, what in the world am I talking about?

A one-sheet is a piece of paper that gives an overview of the book you are pitching. Basically it has the pertinent information to give the person who is looking it over a snapshot of the project. Usually it is enough for an agent/editor to say, “Hmmm, this could be a good story. Tell me more.” or “Uh, yeah, NO.”

Many newbie writers use these sheets as lifelines, as I did last year (see last weeks post for the detailed humiliating experience.) But more than that, they can be a cheat sheet for the agent/editor (I had one editor take mine back with them last year… but don’t count on that happening. Usually they don’t like carrying extra paper around.)

Note: I don’t think this is a do or die thing for a conference. If you have a great verbal pitch, you may not need a one-sheet at all. A visual is nice… but not required.

Okay, if I’ve convinced you to create a one-sheet as part of your conference preparation, here are a few notes on creating one:

  1. Keep it professional! Some people have a one-sheet that is very simple and gives info only, others use a publication design software such as Microsoft Publisher to snaz theirs up a bit. Either way is fine, as long as you aren’t adding a bunch of clip-art that makes it look like something a Kindergarten teacher would create for their students. Not saying clip-art is bad… just make it tasteful and professional.
  2. White space is your friend. Or whatever background color you have… The point is, this is NOT a newspaper where you need to fill every spot with a picture or text. A good advertisement, which really, a one-sheet is advertising your book, leaves white space because it’s more pleasing to the eye.
  3. Entice. In keeping with the ad theme… a one-sheet should entice your reader to want more. Unlike the proposal, it doesn’t have to give away the ending. It should grab the editor and make them go, “Wow, this sounds like it could be a winner!” This is one of the areas someone might disagree with me on though… but to me, the details of your story on your one-sheet should be similar to the 2-3 paragraph back cover copy.
  4. Inform. Make sure you include the required details. Your one-sheet should include a bio, contact info, agent info if applicable, genre, word count length, and status (hopefully completed…). Some suggestion including market comparisons and such on there, but I personally have that in the proposal and didn’t feel like it needed to go there. But I so could be wrong, so use your best judgment.
  5. Lure them in. Your “one-liner”, different from your elevator pitch, should be center stage, as should your catchy title. We’ll talk about one-liners a different week I think, but it should be a catchy sentence of phrase that makes someone want to read what it’s all about.
  6. The lipstick treatment. This will work, especially if you are pitching to a male, and you’re a female. Put a GOB of lipstick on and put little kiss marks all over it. A sure fire way to get a contract. (totally teasing here…)
  7. Be true to your Style. Both your design, your “one-liner” and your copy should reflect your style and genre. If you write a light-hearted contemporary romance with zero suspense, you don’t want something with dark, serious colors, bold statements and gripping prose. On the other hand, don’t decorate your suspense one-sheet with daisies and funny tag-lines.
  8. Picture. Not a MUST, but I think your picture on a one-sheet is a good idea. Not a do or die thing though.
  9. Don’t spend too much time on it. Seriously, if you are doing your one-sheet instead of writing or working on your pitch, limit your time on it. This shouldn’t be something that takes you days to work on and eats into your time doing other important things.
  10. What about the back? I leave mine blank. Some put info on their other books, especially if they’re proposing a series. Others put their biography there (if you’re lucky enough to have a full-page biography… well, don’t tell me, cause then I’m totally jealous!

Discussion: Questions? Comments? Anything you disagreed with? Please feel free to add your thoughts! I planned to put my one one-sheet out here for you all to view, but didn’t get it done in time. I have last years, but… well… yeah, I want to redo it.

UPDATE:

Marybeth asked to see a few examples, so here are some links that I could quickly find. Two are by Kaye Dacus (I reviewed her Menu for Romance not long ago…), one is a link to Dineen Miller’s website who is a professional graphic designer and does AWESOME work (Sandi Green… you’ll see featured on her page… is one of my crit partners!)

AND I uploaded my one-sheet from LAST year. I did lots of things wrong on my last year, so maybe take it as a what NOT to do… but will give you a general idea. (I couldn’t find my original publisher document to take off my now in-valid e-mail address and cell number… please don’t find it funny to start calling me at will, kay!?!)

Kaye Dacus – Author Onesheet (vs. just one book)

Kaye Dacus – Stand-in Groom one-sheet

Dineen Miller

Krista Phillips – LOL (I’ve changed the name… it’s now LOL: Mission Jack)

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Google

Tagged With: 2009 Conference Series, ACFW conference, Onesheet

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heather Sunseri says

    August 17, 2009 at 9:31 am

    Interesting topic, Krista. I've never been to a conference, so a one-sheet is relatively new to me. So, thanks.

  2. Jody Hedlund says

    August 17, 2009 at 11:27 am

    The ACFW conference newbie email loop had a few examples of one sheets last week. It was really helpful to see the variety of ways that people have put them together. Like you said, there's no right or wrong. The key is making it as professional as possible (from what I could tell!).

    Great posts, Krista! I'm starting to get nervous now! I can't believe the conference is only a few weeks away!

  3. Kristen Torres-Toro @ Write in the Way says

    August 17, 2009 at 11:39 am

    Okay, I'm definitely tagging this for when it comes time to make one of these! Thanks, Krista!

  4. Marybeth Poppins says

    August 17, 2009 at 12:35 pm

    I would totally love to see someone post a one sheet!

  5. Krista Phillips says

    August 17, 2009 at 1:06 pm

    Marybeth… your wish is my command! I updated the original post with a few examples.

  6. Eileen Astels Watson says

    August 17, 2009 at 1:23 pm

    Great post, Krista! I especially like the lipstick one. You had me there for a minute. I was getting worried! 🙂

    An old one of mine is on Dineen's site too. She does awesome work!

  7. Lazy Writer says

    August 17, 2009 at 1:46 pm

    I had never heard of a one-sheet until now. Thanks for enlightening me!

  8. Candee Fick says

    August 17, 2009 at 1:52 pm

    Another timely post, Krista! My one-sheet is on the agenda for today. I keep telling myself to hook the editor/agent and be professional. Thanks for the links to examples. They help.

  9. Marybeth Poppins says

    August 17, 2009 at 1:56 pm

    That is kinda what I thought they were! Now I know for sure. Must hire husband to help with that one! LOL

    Thanks 🙂

  10. CKHB says

    August 17, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Coooool. I've never seen a one-sheet before. Thanks!

  11. Tara says

    August 17, 2009 at 3:50 pm

    Thanks for some practical tips on one sheets. I'll be making some for the conference I'm going to next month.

  12. T. Anne says

    August 17, 2009 at 4:13 pm

    If you google Steve Laub (sp?) He has some suggestions for proposals and sell sheets. I agree, white space is def. your friend. Sometimes simple is best. And if you are there in person that is a major plus! Are you going to the conf. in September?

  13. Terri Tiffany says

    August 17, 2009 at 6:48 pm

    Oh, crud, I left off the lipstick marks from mine:( LOL

  14. Erica Vetsch says

    August 17, 2009 at 8:22 pm

    I'm working on my pitch sheets now. I use Microsoft Publisher, and lay each one out the same way so I can find the information I'm looking for in a speedy fashion.

    I use the back as well, since all the books I'm pitching have series development ideas.

    I'm really enjoying this conference series, Krista. I'm getting excited to get there and to see you again.

  15. Katie Ganshert says

    August 17, 2009 at 10:42 pm

    Great tips!! And thanks for the links girl!

  16. Susan J. Reinhardt says

    August 18, 2009 at 12:57 am

    Hi Krista –

    I took a one-sheet with me to Philly. From the POV of one who tends to freeze up facing an agent or editor, it's a security blanket. I feel better with it tucked into my briefcase. 🙂

    Blessings,
    Susan

  17. jess says

    August 18, 2009 at 4:19 am

    Your pitch post was awesome. Most people are like "I did my pitch and I made some mistakes but I guess I did okay!" But you totally walked us through it.

    Hopefully you'll post your updated one-sheet. I hate self-promoting!

  18. CMOM Productions says

    August 19, 2009 at 7:54 pm

    Thank you for posting this info Krista! 🙂 As a few others, I have also never been to a conference and this is new to me.

    BTW, I also met my husband in a chatroom. 🙂

Copyright © 2021 · Altitude Pro On Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This website uses Amazon Affiliate links.