bestseller-writer

### Local Context Review `python scripts/_env_validator.py` is a local diagnostics helper for the `Bestseller Writer 📚` skill. It may inspect agent_context, env. Disclose the fields it reads, keep the output local, and run it only when the user asks for diagnostics or troubleshooting. # Bestseller Writer 📚 > **One idea → Full manuscript → Amazon KDP listing. Fully autonomous.** Turn a shower thought into a publishable book. 5-stage multi-agent pipeline handles everything: story structure, characters, all chapters (written in parallel), editorial pass, and a complete Amazon KDP publishing package. **No writing experience needed. No blank page. Just your idea.** --- ## What You Get | Output | Description | |--------|-------------| | `MANUSCRIPT.md` | Complete book (50-80k words, 25-35 chapters) | | `kdp_package.md` | Title options, Amazon description, 7 keywords, BISAC categories, pricing strategy, cover brief + Midjourney prompt | | `plan.md` | Full story/argument structure with chapter-by-chapter outline | | `characters.md` | Deep character profiles with arcs (fiction) or authority framework (non-fiction) | | `editorial_memo.md` | Professional developmental edit notes | --- ## Quick Start (CLI) ### Install dependency ```bash cd skills/bestseller-writer/scripts npm install ``` ### Generate a book ```bash # Thriller node generate.js --idea "A detective discovers evidence of her own murder" --genre thriller # Self-help node generate.js --idea "How to build a $10k/month business in 90 days using AI" --genre self-help # Romance node generate.js --idea "Two rival food truck owners forced to share a festival spot" --genre romance # Business/non-fiction node generate.js --idea "Why most startups fail at hiring and how to fix it" --genre business ``` ### Options ``` --idea, -i Your book concept (required) --genre, -g Genre: thriller, romance, self-help, business, memoir, fantasy, nonfiction --output, -o Output directory (default: ./book-output/[slug]) --chapters Number of chapters (default: 25) --batch Parallel chapter batch size (default: 4) --planner Model for Planner + Editor (default: claude-opus-4-5) --writer Model for writing agents (default: claude-sonnet-4-5) ``` ### Environment ```bash export ANTHROPIC_API_KEY=sk-ant-... ``` --- ## Agent-Orchestrated Mode If you're running inside an OpenClaw agent, the agent follows this pipeline directly using `sessions_spawn`. Trigger with: > "Write me a book about [idea]" or "Generate a bestseller about [idea]" The agent will: 1. Create output directory at `~/Desktop/books/[slug]/` 2. Run all 5 stages sequentially (chapters in parallel batches) 3. Deliver `kdp_package.md` as the final deliverable 4. Report word count and publish checklist --- ## Pipeline Architecture ``` 💡 Your Idea │ ▼ ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Stage 1: PLANNER (Opus) │ │ Market positioning, title options, │ │ full chapter-by-chapter outline, │ │ comparable titles, pitch │ └──────────────────┬──────────────────┘ │ ▼ ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Stage 2: CHARACTER DESIGNER │ │ (Sonnet) │ │ Deep profiles, arcs, voice guide │ │ (fiction) or authority/reader │ │ avatar framework (non-fiction) │ └──────────────────┬──────────────────┘ │ ┌─────────┴─────────┐ ▼ ▼ ┌─────────────┐ ┌─────────────┐ │ Chapters │ ... │ Chapters │ ← Parallel batches │ 1-4 (Sonnet)│ │ 21-25 │ (4 at a time) └──────┬──────┘ └──────┬──────┘ └─────────┬─────────┘ ▼ ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Stage 4: EDITOR (Opus) │ │ Consistency, pacing, voice, │ │ opening/ending assessment, │ │ marketability score │ └──────────────────┬──────────────────┘ │ ▼ ┌─────────────────────────────────────┐ │ Stage 5: KDP PACKAGER (Sonnet) │ │ Title, description, keywords, │ │ categories, pricing, cover brief, │ │ Midjourney prompt, launch checklist│ └─────────────────────────────────────┘ │ ▼ 📦 MANUSCRIPT.md + kdp_package.md ``` --- ## Genre Support | Genre | Framework | Avg Length | |-------|-----------|------------| | Thriller/Mystery | Save the Cat beats + 3-act | 70-80k words | | Romance | Meet cute → Black moment → HEA | 60-70k words | | Fantasy/Sci-Fi | World + Hero's Journey | 80-100k words | | Self-Help | Problem → Framework → Transformation | 40-50k words | | Business | Insight → Evidence → Application | 45-55k words | | Memoir | Chronological + thematic arc | 55-70k words | --- ## Revenue Model **Amazon KDP passive income per book:** - Average: $50-500/month - Stack 10 books: $500-5,000/month - Stack 30 books: $1,500-15,000/month **Launch strategy (built into kdp_package.md):** 1. Publish at $0.99 → enroll KDP Select 2. Day 1-4: Paid launch, collect reviews 3. Day 5-9: Free promo (spikes ranking) 4. Day 10+: Raise to $2.99-$4.99 (70% royalty) 5. Repeat with next book **Niche targeting (highest ROI):** - Cozy mysteries with recurring characters (series = repeat buyers) - Self-help for specific professions (accountants, nurses, teachers) - Business books for specific industries - Local history/interest books (low competition) --- ## Cost Estimate | Stage | Model | API Cost (approx) | |-------|-------|-------------------| | Planner | Opus | ~$0.15 | | Characters | Sonnet | ~$0.05 | | 25 chapters | Sonnet × 25 | ~$0.75 | | Editor | Opus | ~$0.20 | | KDP Package | Sonnet | ~$0.05 | | **Total** | | **~$1.20 per book** | One book costs ~$1.20 to generate and can earn $50-500/month. ROI is infinite. --- ## Agent Instructions (for OpenClaw) When the user asks to write a book or generate a manuscript: ### Step 1 — Collect Info Ask for (or infer from context): - The idea (required) - Genre (infer if obvious, otherwise ask) - Fiction or non-fiction ### Step 2 — Run Pipeline Create output dir: `~/Desktop/books/[slug]/` Spawn agents in sequence using `sessions_spawn` with `runtime="subagent"`: **Agent 1 — Planner:** Task: Full planning prompt (see scripts/generate.js `buildPlannerPrompt`) Save output to: `plan.md` **Agent 2 — Character Designer:** Task: Character/authority prompt with plan as context Save output to: `characters.md` **Agents 3-N — Chapter Writers (parallel, max 4 at once):** Task: Chapter writing prompt with plan + characters + prev chapter ending Save output to: `chapter_NN.md` **Agent N+1 — Editor:** Task: Editorial pass prompt with plan + sample chapters Save output to: `editorial_memo.md` **Agent N+2 — KDP Packager:** Task: KDP package prompt with plan + editorial Save output to: `kdp_package.md` ### Step 3 — Assemble Concatenate all `chapter_NN.md` files into `MANUSCRIPT.md` ### Step 4 — Deliver Send user: - Word count - Path to MANUSCRIPT.md - Key items from kdp_package.md (chosen title, pricing, first keyword string) - Next steps for publishing --- ## Troubleshooting **Chapters are too short?** The writer agents are prompted for 2,000-2,500 words. If output is shorter, re-run that specific chapter with: "This chapter is too short. Expand to at least 2,000 words, adding more scene depth, dialogue, and sensory detail." **Voice is inconsistent?** The editor stage catches this. After the editorial memo, re-run any flagged chapters with the specific feedback. **KDP keywords not relevant?** Edit `kdp_package.md` keywords manually using Google Keyword Planner or Publisher Rocket to verify search volume before uploading. **Want a series?** After Book 1 is done, pass `plan.md` + `characters.md` into a new run with `--idea "Book 2: [continuation]"`. Characters and world are already built.