What is a one-sheet and why do you need one?
How to write a one-sheet book proposal
What are you writing today?
I’m working on a one-sheet. What’s that? One sheet of what? Are we talking bed linens?
A one-sheet is a single page of content (sometimes called a one-pager). It describes a book you’ve written or plan to write. It’s a teaser form of a book proposal that introduces you and your book to an editor or agent. Creating a one-sheet is the first step on your journey to publication.
I’m brainstorming and trying to figure out the best angle to take with this potential book. I haven’t written the book yet, but I’ve thought a lot about the topic. I’ve written sample chapters, in the form of newsletters and notes. Now, I’m trying to make a short but compelling case for a book on this topic.
A one-sheet provides the essential information about your book, just enough to get an agent or editor to ask to see a proposal with sample chapters. It’s kind of the written form of what some folks call an “elevator pitch.”
If you are planning to attend a writers’ conference, you’ll want to have a one-sheet about your book. The one-sheet must be of course concise but clear, detailed but not too verbose. It must be specific and well-written, as it serves not only to share your idea but to showcase your writing skills.
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A one-sheet includes some essential information like your name, contact info, book title, genre and approximate word count of your book. It should be typed (not handwritten!) in a legible font (no script or cutesy fonts) on white paper (again, nothing cutesy!).
A solid one-sheet tells what your book is about but also who it’s for. It clearly states:
your hook
your core message
your qualifications as an author
your target reader
That last one, your target reader, is the most important, so let’s start there.
Think of it from an editor’s perspective: they want to know who will buy your book, because they are in the business of selling books. What will compel a reader to purchase your book? Who needs your advice, instruction or inspiration? What keeps this reader up at night? How will your book help them?
The hook is what makes your book compelling. Think of a hook like a movie trailer or an advertisement, like “What if I told you the secret to getting rid of clutter in your home for good?” (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo) or “A boy wizard begins training and must battle for his life with the Dark Lord who murdered his parents.” (Harry Potter from Randy Ingermanson’s blog.)
Your core message is what your book is about, and why it matters to that target reader. Your core message incorporates what you are promising to the reader.
Your qualifications include your past writing experience, but also your expertise on whatever topic you are writing about.
Your one-sheet should include a call to action—in most cases, asking an agent or editor to request a full proposal. (That is, the next step on the road to traditional publication.)
Fitting all that into a single page of content is not easy. But editors often make quick decisions about a book. They will not read through a full proposal, let alone a full manuscript. They want to know that you can clearly state what your book is about in a concise and clear way.
Okay, friends. I’ve got to get back to work on writing my one-sheet. Have a lovely holiday weekend!