One Sheets, An Introduction To Your Creation

Lots of talk has been going on about One-Sheets, so I wanted to give you a brief overview about them.


What is a one-sheet?

Well, it’s basically you + your story on one sheet of paper. A 3-4 paragraph summary of your novel, a small blurb about you, and the specs on your novel (wordcount, completed, series or not…etc)

It’s a quick reference.

Why create a one-sheet?

Personally, I like it because it helps me condense my story into a page and is a helpful tool during editor/agent meetings to keep me focused. It’s also a quick way to share your story with an editor without pulling out a first chapter or synopsis.

A few helpful hints.

- The one-sheet should reflect the novel and you.

- Lots of people try to make it color-coded with their website or blog.

- Some people write the ‘pitch’ at the top of the one-sheet to grab attention and then get into the heart of the story after that.

- If you can put wordcount on the one-sheet (or projected completion date), it’s a good idea. This gives the editors/agents a little better idea of how far along you are.

- Remember to put a picture of yourself on the sheet, along with your contact information.

- Get an idea of how to write a half page summary by checking out movie synopsis or read the blurb on the back of a book. It’s a good way to see how writers pick out what’s important to hook the reader’s/viewer’s attention.

- One-sheets are great to use when you need a little 'boost' with your pitch. I use mine as a 'cheat sheet' :-)

Here is an example of one that I'm working on:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/36274837/Twist-of-Faithonesheet-1

You can also check out some basic one-sheet info from these sites:

http://wannabepublished.blogspot.com/2008/04/crafting-fiction-one-sheets.html

http://www.tracyruckman.com/downloads/One%20Sheets.pdf

(I don’t use professional software for my one-sheets – as this website suggested, but I created a Word document and used various heights, widths, and locations for text boxes. You can color the boxes and reshape them, so I used text boxes to insert photos and novel specs)

http://kayedacus.com/2007/08/28/beyond-the-first-draft%e2%80%94the-pitch-sheet-and-one-sheet/

(Kaye Dacus’ website is FABULOUS for a wealth of information. After you follow this link, browse around her website. You won’t be disappointed.

FYI:
A one-pager is different. It’s an overview of all your projects on one sheet. It’s also called a projects-sheet. So, on my one-pager, I have a small balloon about my contemp romance, my historical, and my supernatural.

Here's the one I'm working on for ACFW:

http://www.scribd.com/full/36275457?access_key=key-m1gvt6mi0hzgt4l2oko

Are you working on a one-sheet? What is your greatest challenge? Success?

One Pagers? One Sheets? Pitch Sheets? Are You Serious?

Have you been involved in one of those icebreakers where the host/hostess asked a question like this: “If you could describe yourself with one word what would it be?”


How good are you at picking just that perfect word that says so much about you? That sums up the entire personality of YOU?

If hard-pressed, I might refer to myself as ‘friendly’, but then that doesn’t really encompass all that is ME. There’s more complexity to it.

A One-Pager/One-Sheet & Pitch Sheet are kind of like describing yourself in one word – except your describing an entire novel with one page. Some can be very plain – just the information, and others can be colorful. I prefer the more colorful, animated kind (no surprise).

So let’s define them. What is the difference between a Pitch Sheet & a One-Pager/One-Sheet/Projects Sheet (lots of names is a bad sign ;-)

A Pitch Sheet is related to ONE novel. You’re highlighting one story.

It usually includes:

- a short synopsis of your book (very short – like a few paragraphs)

- novel stats, such as is the manuscript completed (or projected completion), estimated wordcount, sequel options, maybe some marketing ideas, etc.

- author bio with contact information

- agent bio (if applicable)

If I can figure out how to get the one-sheets posted, I'll put up a few examples. If I can't, you can follow Kaye Dacus' link at the bottom of the post for some good examples. Pitch sheet: http://kayedacus.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/hei-pitch-sheet.pdf


Now, for the One-Pager or One-Sheet.

This document can also be called a ‘projects sheet’ because it is a page that boasts all of your writing projects, both completed and in-progress.

Many of the same requirements should be with this sheet, except your synopsis isn’t about one novel. You are giving a few sentences about each SERIES/project.

Author bio and agent info are still important, but the point of this sheet is to give the viewer, at one glance, all the many things you’re working on.
http://kayedacus.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/one-sheet09.pdf


I hope this info helped a little bit.

I didn’t know anything about them six months ago, but here are a few pointers to keep in mind.

1. Succinct – you only have ONE page.

2. HOOK them with the story, not the message

3. the pitch sheet needs to show your voice. Make it YOU. Each person will pitch their story differently, choose different pictures, write differently. Your sheet should be uniquely YOU.

Here is a site about one-pagers that might give you more information.

http://awaywithwordswriting.wordpress.com/?s=one+sheet

Kaye Dacus had a WONDERFUL series on her blog called Manuscript 101. You can learn more about one-sheets here from her post: http://kayedacus.com/2007/08/28/beyond-the-first-draft%e2%80%94the-pitch-sheet-and-one-sheet/

So, have you ever written a one-sheet or pitch sheet? If so, what did you enjoy about it, or what did you find difficult?

If not, did this help you get a better idea about them?


Can you describe yourself in ONE word? 