By Amanda Miller

If you’re getting ready begin pursuing promotional opportunities for your book, a marketing one-sheet is a valuable tool to have in your corner.

A book marketing one-sheet is a concise, one-page document that helps a person or organization quickly understand what your book is about, who it is for, why it matters, and how they might collaborate with you. That opportunity could involve purchasing or stocking your book, inviting you to speak, featuring you in the media, or exploring a larger partnership.

Unlike many marketing materials, a one-sheet is not typically designed to promote your book directly to everyday readers. Instead, it supports the people and organizations that can help place your book in front of more readers. Think of it as a bridge between your book and the opportunities you want to pursue.

In this blog, we’ll explore what belongs on a book marketing one-sheet, how to create one, and how to use it in the real world.

What belongs in your one-sheet:

• Hi resolution image of your book cover
• Critical book info: Title, Subtitle, Author Name and headshot
• Short book description around 100–150 words
• Key themes or reader takeaways
• Target audience
• Book details:
  • Publication date
  • Formats available
  • ISBN
  • Page count
  • Retail price
  • Publisher or imprint
  • Purchasing and distribution information
• Brief author biography, around 75–100 words
• Endorsements, reviews, or notable praise
• Awards or bestseller distinctions, if applicable
• Media or booking contact information
• Website and social links

The idea of a one-sheet is in the name: It’s information about you and your book that can fit on one-sheet. Think an 8.5 x 11 piece of paper. Collaborative partners want to be able to review your one-sheet at a glance and get a feel if it’s the right fit for their brand and willing to make a collaboration or purchase.

There are several easy and affordable ways to create your one-sheet. If you feel comfortable handling the design yourself, Canva offers user-friendly templates that can help you create a polished layout. If design isn’t your thing, you can hire a professional designer or find a freelancer through a platform such as Fiverr.

Whichever route you choose, you’ll need to provide the designer with the final copy, book details, and images you want included. Be sure to also share any established brand colors, fonts, or visual guidelines so the finished one-sheet feels cohesive with your book, website, and overall author brand.

EXAMPLES OF AUTHOR ONE-SHEETS:

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ways to use your one-sheet:

• Pitching bookstores, libraries, gift shops, schools, or specialty retailers
• Approaching organizations about bulk or corporate orders
• To bring to conferences and relevant events
• Initial contact with podcasts, journalists, bloggers, or other media
• Following up after a conversation, introduction, networking event, or email pitch
• Helping booksellers and event organizers access the book’s essential details without digging through a website or media kit

Is a one-sheet different from a media kit?

Absolutely! A one-sheet is a concise marketing tool designed to introduce and pitch your book quickly. Its goal is to spark interest and help you secure opportunities with bookstores, libraries, event organizers, media professionals, and potential collaborators.

A media kit, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive collection of materials. If you’re ready to build one, I’ve created a complete guide that walks you through what to include. A media kit may feature suggested interview questions, multiple author photos, a press release, speaking topics, downloadable graphics, and other resources someone might need to feature you or your book. Essentially, it gives media professionals the materials they need to interview you, cover your book, or invite you to participate in an event.

To decide which tool to use, consider what the person needs. When someone requests general information about your book, or you are making an initial introduction, send your one-sheet. It offers a polished overview without overwhelming the recipient.

When a journalist, podcast host, reviewer, event organizer, or collaborator requests more detailed materials, send your media kit.

What if I have multiple books?

If you have written multiple standalone books, it’s best to create a separate one-sheet for each title. Every book will have its own premise, audience, endorsements, purchasing information, and marketing opportunities.

If your books are part of a connected series, you can also create a series one-sheet that presents the collection as a whole, including its reading order, shared themes, target audience, and series-wide marketing opportunities. You may still want individual one-sheets when promoting a specific title.

Final thoughts:

A book marketing one-sheet may be only one page, but it can help crack open the door to rooms you are ready to step into. Keep your one-sheet concise, visually aligned with your author brand, and easy to update as your book earns new reviews, endorsements, awards, or media coverage. Remember: your one-sheet doesn’t need to tell your book’s entire story. Its purpose is to spark interest, begin a conversation, and open the door to what comes next.

Amanda Miller is a self-publishing consultant with My Word Publishing who is passionate about guiding authors through the maze of self-publishing and helping them bring their written works to life. She is a writer of poetry and nonfiction essays. If you have a book in you, contact Amanda at [email protected]