by Cherrilynn Bisbano
KCWC and many other Christian writers conferences are either cancelled, postponed, or held online this year. However, don’t let this discourage you. Publishers and agents are still looking for great book ideas. Fifteen minutes is the usual appointment time; however, you may have only minutes to sell your idea.
What is the most efficient way to tell a publisher or agent about you and your book? No, this isn’t a trick question. A One Sheet provides them with the basic information they need to learn about you and your masterpiece.
A One Sheet is a creative tool to start a conversation with agents and publishers It is also called a Sell Sheet or Pitch Sheet. Believe it or not, you have the tools right at your fingertips to create a One Sheet if you have Word, Publisher, or another program that inserts graphics, photos, and text into a document.
What’s included on a One Sheet?
- Your Mini Bio and contact information
- A pitch for your book
- A short paragraph about your book
- How you will market your book
- Information about your target audience
- Potential endorsements
- A professional headshot
The one-sheet is a professional document. Please use proficient language. Have at least one or two qualified people proofread it to ensure there are no grammar, punctuation, or spelling errors.
Choose images, colors, fonts, and design elements that capture the essence of your book. Yes, make it eye-catching, but don’t let the art overwhelm the message of your book.
I’m a visual person, so I like to see the end product. I highly suggest researching One Sheets to see the many variations.
If creating a One Sheet overwhelms you, seek help. Perhaps you can barter services with a friend. Remember, the One Sheet is a mini resume about you and your book. Make it shine.
Cherrilynn Bisbano loves to help writers achieve their publishing dream. She partners with Joyce Glass to form The Write Coach Team. As managing editor of Almost an Author, she helped the website earn the #6 spot on the Top 100 best writing websites for 2018 by The Write Life and Top 101 Websites for Writers with Writers Digest.
She was the host of Genre Chat where she was privileged to interview expert writers like Cecil Murphy, Jerry Jenkins, DiAnn Mills, Edie Melson, Steven James, Lynette Eason, Doug Peterson, Bob Hostetler, Michelle Adams, Tim Shoemaker and more.
Cherrilynn has been teaching for 25 years and is a speaker with Women Speakers. Her topics include leadership, prayer, book proposals, and the Bible. Her book Shine Don’t Whine won the Writer to Writer publishing contract and will be released in October 2020.
