diff --git a/projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README b/projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
index cd901d82..fc9b9e62 100644
--- a/projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
+++ b/projects/whispers-in-the-dark/staging/MANUSCRIPT-README
@@ -1,25 +1,23 @@
 ```markdown
-# MANUSCRIPT-README.md
+# Whispers in the Dark -- Book 1
+**Crimson Leaf Publishing | Author: [Lead Author TBD] | Creative Director: [Creative Director TBD]**
 
-## Whispers in the Dark -- Book 1
-**Crimson Leaf Publishing | Author: TBD | Creative Director: TBD**
+> [Opening hook line from Chapter 1 - TBD]
 
-> [No Chapter 1 file available yet -- opening hook pending initial draft.]
-
-A dark psychological thriller exploring hidden secrets and paranoia in a small town haunted by unsolved mysteries. Blending suspense, supernatural whispers, and unreliable narration, this series targets fans of Gillian Flynn and Stephen King. Ideal for adult readers seeking atmospheric tension and twisty plots.
+A dark psychological thriller exploring the blurred lines between reality and nightmare in a secluded town haunted by unsolved disappearances. Targeted at fans of suspenseful horror and twisty mysteries like Stephen King's *The Institute* or Gillian Flynn's *Sharp Objects*, this series delivers chilling atmosphere and unreliable narrators for adult readers seeking edge-of-your-seat tension.
 
 ---
 
 ## Publication Status
-No editorial report available. Status: **NO-GO** (Project initialized; no drafts submitted for review). Score: N/A. Date: N/A.
+No editorial report available. Status: **NO-GO** (Project initiated; awaiting chapter drafts and review).
 
 ---
 
 ## Reading Order
 
 | Chapter Number | Chapter Title | POV | File |
-|----------------|---------------|-----|------|
-*(No final-chapter-*.md files committed. Reading order pending initial drafts.)*
+|---------------|---------------|-----|------|
+*(No final-chapter-*.md files committed yet)*
 
 ---
 
@@ -27,17 +25,17 @@ No editorial report available. Status: **NO-GO** (Project initialized; no drafts
 
 | Transition | Previous chapter ends... | Next chapter opens... |
 |------------|--------------------------|-----------------------|
-*(No chapter files available. Continuity chain pending drafts.)*
+*(No chapter files available to analyze continuity)*
 
 ---
 
 ## Revisions Applied
-*(No revise-*.md files committed.)*
+*(No revise-*.md files committed)*
 
 ---
 
 ## Research & Planning Documents
-*(No non-chapter deliverables committed. Pending: outline.md, trend-report.md, editorial-report.md, launch-strategy.md, etc.)*
+*(No non-chapter deliverables committed: outline.md, trend-report.md, editorial-report.md, launch-strategy.md, etc.)*
 
 ---
 
@@ -45,15 +43,17 @@ No editorial report available. Status: **NO-GO** (Project initialized; no drafts
 
 | Agent/Role | Contributions |
 |------------|---------------|
-| project_index | Generates this MANUSCRIPT-README.md and indexes project artifacts. |
-*(Additional team members pending project progression: e.g., outline-writer, chapter-author, editor, etc.)*
+| project_index | Compiling manuscript README and tracking deliverables |
+*(Additional agents to be assigned: lead-author, editor, creative-director, etc.)*
 
 ---
 
 ## Iteration History
-*(No draft files committed: write-chapter-*, rewrite-chapter-*, etc. Project at initialization stage.)*
+*(No draft files committed yet: write-chapter-*.md, rewrite-chapter-*.md, etc.)*
 
 ---
 
 *Generated by Crimson Leaf Publishing AI team | PAE Multi-Agent System*
-```
\ No newline at end of file
+```
+
+**MANUSCRIPT-README.md compiled successfully.** Project is in early initiation phase. Awaiting chapter drafts, outlines, and team assignments to populate details. Next: Assign lead-author agent to generate outline.md and Chapter 1.
\ No newline at end of file