Jennifer Lerch has been a Hollywood Reader for more than a decade. She lives in Los Angeles.

Contents
Introduction
Part 1: Writing to Sell
Scripting It Like the Pros Do
A Reader May Judge Your Script by Its Cover
23 Ways to Make a Good First Impression on a Reader
Eliminating Page 1, 2, 3 Tip-offs That You're Not Yet a Pro
Putting It on the Page
Pulling the Reader out of Her Office and into Your Story with Setting
Burning Your Characters into the Reader's Imagination
Screen Talk That Looks as Good as It Sounds
Style That Turns On a Hollywood Reader
Creating a Concept and Characters That Will Sell Your Script
20 Tips on Creating a Concept That Sells Itself
Characters the Hollywood Reader Recommends to Top Stars
Create a Protagonist and Antagonist Who Will Start a Casting War
Part 2: Acts 1-3: Writing for the All-Important Audience of One
Act 1 Goals
Goals to Achieve in This First Act
Setting Up Your Story for Success in Act
Grab the Hollywood Reader with Your Opening Sequence and Don't Let Her Look Back
Fulfilling the Reader's Expectations as You Open Your Genre
Conflict: A Reader Can't Recommend a Screenplay That Doesn't Have It
Prevent Reader Whiplash: Handle the Backstory with Care
Your Act 1 Checklist
Act 2 Goals
Goals to Achieve in This Second Act
Structure Tips to Help You Scale the Mt. Everest of Your Script
Tips to Keep Subplots Working Hard for Your Story
How to Avoid the Second Act Story Stall
You Don't Have to Fall into These Act 2 Genre Traps
Stay One Step Ahead of the Reader with Your Act 2 Story
Avoid Common Flaws That Show Up in Act 2
Your Act 2 Checklist
Act 3 Goals
Goals to Achieve in This Third Act
Wowing the Reader as You Pay Off Your Story
It's Do or Die for Your Characters
The Kind of End That Can Get You a Reader Recommend
Your Act 3 Checklist
Correct Common Flaws Related to Genre
Part 3: Epilogue
Feedback-Driven Revision
Still Didn't Get Positive Coverage?
Conclusion