From 43edd5d03ea6aa92f85ec3b6c58b6d6b0b4b846d Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: PAE <pae@localhost>
Date: Tue, 28 Apr 2026 22:21:13 +0000
Subject: [PATCH] staging: MANUSCRIPT-README
 task=dcec1e32-835c-445b-ba4c-a59063f50ad0

---
 .../staging/MANUSCRIPT-README                 | 37 ++++++++++---------
 1 file changed, 20 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-)

diff --git a/projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README b/projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
index b9d8c20f..83244a84 100644
--- a/projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
+++ b/projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
@@ -1,17 +1,15 @@
 ```markdown
-# MANUSCRIPT-README.md
+# Whispers in the Dark -- Book 1
+**crimson_leaf_publishing | Author: TBD | Creative Director: TBD**
 
-## Whispers in the Dark -- Book 1
-**crimson_leaf_publishing | Author: [Lead Author] | Creative Director: [Creative Director]**
+> [No Chapter 1 file available yet; opening hook pending generation.]
 
-> [Opening hook line from Chapter 1]
-
-[Brief pitch (2-3 sentences about the project's concept, genre, and target audience).]
+A chilling supernatural thriller set in a remote Victorian-era town haunted by ancient whispers that drive residents to madness. Blending gothic horror with psychological suspense, the story follows a skeptical investigator uncovering family secrets tied to otherworldly entities. Targeted at fans of Shirley Jackson and modern horror like *Mexican Gothic*, ages 18+.
 
 ---
 
 ## Publication Status
-No editorial report found in deliverables. **Status: INITIAL DRAFT STAGE** (No GO / NO-GO verdict available. Date: N/A)
+Pending -- No editorial report available. Initial project setup.
 
 ---
 
@@ -19,7 +17,7 @@ No editorial report found in deliverables. **Status: INITIAL DRAFT STAGE** (No G
 
 | Chapter Number | Chapter Title | POV | File |
 |----------------|---------------|-----|------|
-*(No final-chapter-*.md files found in deliverables. Table pending chapter completions.)*
+*(No final-chapter-*.md files committed yet)*
 
 ---
 
@@ -27,33 +25,38 @@ No editorial report found in deliverables. **Status: INITIAL DRAFT STAGE** (No G
 
 | Transition | Previous chapter ends... | Next chapter opens... |
 |------------|--------------------------|-----------------------|
-*(No final-chapter-*.md files found in deliverables. Continuity chain pending chapter completions.)*
+*(No chapter files available for continuity analysis)*
 
 ---
 
 ## Revisions Applied
-*(No revise-*.md files found in deliverables.)*
+*(No revise-*.md files committed yet)*
 
 ---
 
 ## Research & Planning Documents
-*(No non-chapter deliverables such as outline.md, trend-report.md, editorial-report.md, launch-strategy.md, etc., found in project commits.)*
+*(No non-chapter deliverables committed yet: outline, trend report, editorial report, launch strategy, etc.)*
 
 ---
 
 ## Team
 
-| Agent | Role | Contributions |
-|-------|------|---------------|
-| project_index | Project Indexer | Compiles manuscript README and tracks deliverables. |
-*(Additional team agents and contributions based on project context. No other agents identified in current project commits.)*
+| Agent/Role | Contributions |
+|------------|---------------|
+| project_index | Compiling MANUSCRIPT-README.md and project oversight |
+*(Additional team members to be assigned and logged as contributions occur)*
 
 ---
 
 ## Iteration History
-*(No earlier draft files such as write-chapter-*.md, rewrite-chapter-*.md, etc., found in deliverables. Project appears to be in initialization phase.)*
+*(No draft files committed yet: write-chapter-*, rewrite-chapter-*, etc.)*
 
 ---
 
 *Generated by crimson_leaf_publishing AI team | PAE Multi-Agent System*
-```
\ No newline at end of file
+```
+
+## Next Steps for Project Chair
+- Assign agents (e.g., outline-agent, chapter-writer) to generate initial deliverables.
+- Commit files to populate sections (e.g., project-outline.md, final-chapter-1.md).
+- Run editorial-review once chapters are available.
\ No newline at end of file