SACRAMENTO, Sept. 20 – Lynette Alice Fromme, her commercial value rising with book and Hollywood offers, pleaded, innocent Friday to a charge of trying to assassinate President Gerald Ford.

In a loud clear voice the Charles Manson disciple told federal Judge Thomas J. MacBride “not guilty” after the government’s accusation was read.

At the same time a $1,000 offer for book rights to the story of the tiny, freckle-faced defendant came to light. And it also was learned that Hollywood film figures had expressed interest in putting up her $350,000 bail, apparently in the hopes of cashing in on her notoriety.

MacBride set Nov. 4 as the start of the 26-year-old Miss Fromme’s trial, which is expected to last several weeks.

The judge also denied for a second time a plea by Miss Fromme’s court-appointed attorney to reduce her bail. MacBride earlier cut the bail from $1 million to $350,000.

Miss Fromme was visited at the jail last night by a bail bondsman, reportedly representing Hollywood motion picture interests who are said to be negotiating for film rights to her story.

However, the U.S. Attorney’s office said it was unaware of any such attempt to free the young woman on bail. A spokesman also said the government would insist that the full $350,000 be posted in cash or equivalent corporate securities and that no partial bonds would be accepted.

The book offer was revealed by a surprise witness for the defense after Miss Fromme entered her plea.

Marilyn Baker, a San Francisco television news reporter, told MacBride that she had secured a $1,000 option on book rights from MacMillan and Co.

She told the court “as far as I know” Miss Fromme has accepted the offer. Another defense witness was William Melcher, Assistant Los Angeles County District Attorney, who said he had known Miss Fromme for five years. He said he became acquainted with her during her long vigils outside the Hall of Justice in Los Angeles while Manson was on trial for the Tate-LaBianca murders.

Melcher said Miss Fromme would “have the ears of the world” during the trial and for that reason would certainly return to court if released on bail.

But MacBride, in denying the bail reduction, said in reference to Melcher’s testimony, “I don’t intend to make this a forum, I can tell you that right off. I won’t permit this and it carries no weight whatsoever.”

Miss Fromme also asked that she be allowed to act as her attorney but MacBride said he would not rule on that request until she had undergone a competency hearing by a court-appointed psychiatrist.

MacBride questioned her for several minutes about what she knew about such legal matters as “a bill of particulars” and the number of peremptory jury challenges allowed in federal court.

“I know nothing whatsoever about federal law,” she replied, “…but I feel it is my right to retain my voice in this courtroom. The strategy must be mine.”

Miss Fromme also asked for a change of venue but MacBride deferred the matter until after the final hearing on her request to act as her own counsel.

By NANCY SKELTON and MAX MILLER