What is a One Sheet and How Do You Make One?

by | Jul 23, 2013 | Writing

Jill Williamson is a chocolate loving, daydreaming, creator of kingdoms. She writes weird books for teens in lots of weird genres like, fantasy (Blood of Kings trilogy), science fiction (Replication), and dystopian (The Safe Lands trilogy). Find Jill on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or on her author website.

A one sheet is a one-page advertisement for you and your book. Authors take them to writers conferences to give to editors and agents. While most editors and agents won’t take a full manuscript or even sanple chapters these days, they might take a one-sheet that intrigues them. Think of it as a business card for your novel. If an agent or editor keeps yours, that’s pretty cool.

What goes on a one sheet? They’re simple. You need the book title, your name, a one-sentence hook, your back cover blurb, a short bio, and, if you’d like, an image.

Easy peasy.

Some people are more creative than others. But it’s the information on the one-sheet that interests editors and agents, not your Photoshopping or drawing ability. So, if you’re aren’t super creative in that department, don’t worry.

Since I’m a vistual learner, I figured examples are better than any instuctions I could type. So check these out. These are all one sheets for books that sold. You should be able to click on them to see a bigger image. If not, I put the image URL underneath each one sheet.

(One sheet url: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/TestTubeNationOneSheet.jpg)
My original title for Replication was Jason Farms. I intended for it to be a trilogy. I got an offer for just the first book, and as far as I know, the publisher has no plans to continue the series. For more information on Replication, click here: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/replication/.
(One sheet url: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/DiamondEstatesOneSheet.jpg)
This trilogy was written by my friend Nicole O’Dell. It’s a fabulous group of books. I’ve read them all. Each follows the story of a different girl who gets into trouble and moves to Diamond Estates for help. And doesn’t Nicole design amazing one sheets? For more information on this series, click here: http://nicoleodell.com/home-2/teen-site/diamond-estates-series/.
(One sheet url: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/New-Recruit-One-Sheet.jpg)
Ah, The New Recruit. My first book. See that funny little cover in the bottom left-hand corner? I made that in case I needed to self publish the book. [Rolls eyes] Thankfully, I waited. I like my final cover so much better. And the story ended up being much better too. For more information, click here: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/books/the-new-recruit/.

(One sheet url: http://www.jillwilliamson.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/running-lean-one-sheet.psd_.jpg)

Running Lean was written by my friend Diana Sharples. It’s one of the best stories I’ve ever read. I encourage you all to go pre-order it on Amazon.com or B&N.com right now! Blink YA Books is publishing it in August. It’s an AMAZING book! For more information, click here: http://dianasharples.com/2012/11/05/running-lean/.

Have you made a one sheet? Feel free to ask questions about them or post a link to your own in the comments.