﻿```markdown
# MANUSCRIPT-README.md

## Whispers in the Dark -- Book 1
**Crimson Leaf Publishing | Author: [TBD] | Creative Director: [TBD]**

> [No Chapter 1 file committed yet -- opening hook pending]

A chilling supernatural thriller set in a fog-shrouded coastal town where ancient whispers from the dark awaken long-buried secrets, forcing protagonists to confront otherworldly horrors. Blending psychological suspense with cosmic dread in the vein of modern horror masters like Stephen King and Silvia Moreno-Garcia. Targeted at adult readers craving atmospheric, character-driven tales of mystery and the macabre (18+).

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## Publication Status
Pre-Editorial - In Progress  
(No editorial report committed yet. Awaiting chapter drafts and full manuscript for review. Date: N/A | Verdict: N/A | Score: N/A)

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## Reading Order

| Chapter Number | Chapter Title | POV | File |
|----------------|---------------|-----|------|
*(No final-chapter-*.md files committed yet. Table will be populated upon chapter completion.)*

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## Chapter Continuity Chain

| Transition | Previous chapter ends... | Next chapter opens... |
|------------|--------------------------|-----------------------|
*(No final-chapter-*.md files committed yet. Continuity chain will be generated from chapter files upon availability.)*

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## Revisions Applied
*(No revise-*.md files committed yet. All revisions will be tracked here with summaries of changes applied.)*

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## Research & Planning Documents
*(No non-chapter deliverables committed yet. Expected documents include: outline.md, trend-report.md, editorial-report.md, launch-strategy.md, etc. List will be updated as files are added.)*

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## Team

| Agent/Role | Contributions |
|------------|---------------|
| project_index | Compiles and maintains this MANUSCRIPT-README.md; tracks project deliverables, continuity, and status. |
*(Additional agents -- e.g., outline_agent, chapter_writer, editor_agent -- will be listed as they contribute files. Based on Crimson Leaf Publishing PAE Multi-Agent System context.)*

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## Iteration History
*(No draft files such as write-chapter-*.md, rewrite-chapter-*.md, or earlier iterations committed yet. History will document major revisions and drafts chronologically.)*

---

*Generated by Crimson Leaf Publishing AI team | PAE Multi-Agent System*
```

**Project Note from project_index:** This is the initial MANUSCRIPT-README.md bootstrap for "Whispers in the Dark". Commit initial deliverables (e.g., outline.md, Chapter 1 draft) to auto-populate sections on next index run. Status: READY FOR OUTLINE PHASE.