Claude for Authors: The Writing Partner That Actually Reads Your Whole Manuscript
20 Claude prompts for plot structure, character arcs, scene-level craft, query letters, book marketing, and the long-form coherence authors need.
In short: This page contains 20 copy-paste ready prompts, organized into 4 categories with a description and pro tip for each. The first 5 prompts are free instantly, no signup needed. Hand-curated and tested by the AI Academy team.
Story Development
5 promptsThree-Act Outline
1/20✨ What it does
Outlines novels in three-act structure with scene-level beats and genre-specific pitfalls.
<task>Outline novel in three-act structure</task> <genre>[describe]</genre> <premise>[1-2 sentences]</premise> <protagonist>[goal, flaw, stake]</protagonist> <output> Act 1: inciting incident, first plot point, 3 key scenes Act 2a: rising action, midpoint reversal Act 2b: crisis, all-is-lost Act 3: climax, resolution, 3 key scenes Theme + genre pitfalls.
Pro tip: Claude's long-context + structured reasoning handle novel outlines with coherence. For maintaining plot integrity across multi-part outlines, Claude outperforms ChatGPT.
Save the Cat Beat Sheet
2/20✨ What it does
Builds Save the Cat beat sheets with 15 beats, page targets, and emotional function.
<task>Save the Cat beat sheet</task> <genre>[describe]</genre> <logline>[1 sentence]</logline> <output> 15 beats (Opening Image through Final Image). Per beat: page target, what happens, emotional function.
Pro tip: Save the Cat maps to how humans process story. Use as diagnostic. If your midpoint feels flat, beat sheet reveals what's missing page 50-55.
Character Arc Design
3/20✨ What it does
Designs character arcs with internal milestones, belief shifts, and mirror characters.
<task>Design protagonist arc</task> <character>[describe]</character> <start_state>[flaw, belief, pattern]</start_state> <end_state>[who they become]</end_state> <output> 3-5 internal milestones + external triggers + "lie they believe" vs "truth to learn" + relapse moment + final test + supporting character mirrors/challenges.
Pro tip: Arcs without internal transformation = sequence of events. Readers want to watch someone change. Same person at end = plot puppet, not protagonist.
World-Building Blueprint
4/20✨ What it does
Builds worlds with central rule, implications, and strategic info reveal.
<task>Build world for [genre]</task> <premise>[describe]</premise> <output> 1. Central rule (one thing different from ours) 2. 5 implications of that rule 3. Geography + setting 4. Social structure + power dynamics 5. Economy 6. Conflict engine 7. Chapter 1 vs later reveals 8. Iceberg principle </output>
Pro tip: Great world-building: one fundamental rule + its consequences. "Magic exists but costs memory" gives you 100 plot hooks. Iceberg: know 10×, reveal 1×.
Subplot Weaver
5/20✨ What it does
Integrates subplots with main plot using theme, character, and pacing integration.
<task>Weave subplots into main plot</task> <main_plot>[describe]</main_plot> <characters>[list]</characters> <themes>[describe]</themes> <output> 3 subplots serving main story: character driver, conflict created, theme connection, climax moment, pacing, interaction between subplots, cut priority.
Pro tip: Subplots must serve main story. Not intersecting main plot meaningfully = side quest, cut it. Interwoven subplots compound emotional weight; parallel distract.
Craft & Revision
5 promptsScene Starter
6/20✨ What it does
Generates 3 scene openers in different styles with emotional alignment.
<task>Write scene starter</task> <scene_context>[describe]</scene_context> <pov>[character]</pov> <goal>[plot movement]</goal> <emotion>[describe]</emotion> <output> 3 opening paragraph options (action / dialogue / setting), for each: emotional beat fit, what to avoid, POV character state cue.
Pro tip: Most scenes start too early. Cut hero walking in, looking around, ordering coffee. Start where something changes. Boring openings usually need to start one page later.
Dialogue Polisher
7/20✨ What it does
Polishes dialogue for subtext, distinct voices, action beats, and strategic silence.
<task>Polish dialogue</task> <dialogue>[paste]</dialogue> <scene_context>[describe]</scene_context> <characters>[describe]</characters> <problems>[on-the-nose / stilted / info-dumpy]</problems> <output> Revised dialogue with: subtext, distinct voices, action beats (not just "he said"), strategic silence, emotional subtext.
Pro tip: Real people don't say what they mean. Fictional dialogue that says what character means = flat. Characters speak AROUND their truth, not at it. Reader hears what's not said.
Show-Not-Tell Fixer
8/20✨ What it does
Converts telling to showing with physical reaction, characterization through behavior, and sensory mood.
<task>Fix telling in passage</task> <passage>[paste]</passage> <output> Rewrite showing: internal emotion through physical reaction, character judgment through action/word choice, backstory through present behavior (no flashback dumps), setting through sensory detail revealing mood. Flag what to never telegraph directly.
Pro tip: "She was angry" tells. "She flipped the kitchen chair before slamming the door" shows. All showing exhausts — balance. Show what matters emotionally; tell connective tissue.
Sensory Layering
9/20✨ What it does
Layers specific sensory detail with mood-reinforcing selection and restraint.
<task>Layer sensory detail into scene</task> <scene>[paste]</scene> <mood>[describe]</mood> <output> Add: specific sights, sounds (ambient + specific), smells (one strong, one subtle), physical sensations on POV character, taste if relevant. Select details that carry weight.
Pro tip: All senses at once = travel brochure. 2-3 senses per scene. Smell is underused superpower — memories/emotions connect through scent faster than sight.
Pacing Diagnosis
10/20✨ What it does
Diagnoses pacing with tension meter, cut/expand list, and chapter hooks.
<task>Diagnose pacing</task> <section>[paste or summarize]</section> <word_count>[number]</word_count> <output> 1. Where pacing drags 2. Where it rushes 3. Scene tension meter (1-10 each) 4. What to cut / expand 5. Chapter-ending hooks 6. Genre expectation comparison </output>
Pro tip: Pacing isn't speed — feeling of forward motion. Slow scene feels fast if something's at stake; fast scene feels slow if nothing matters. Tension > action.
Query & Publishing
5 promptsQuery Letter Draft
11/20✨ What it does
Drafts query letters with hook, plot, closing, bio, and housekeeping in industry format.
<task>Draft query letter</task> <title>[title]</title> <word_count>[number]</word_count> <genre_age>[describe]</genre_age> <comps>[2-3]</comps> <bio>[describe]</bio> <logline>[1 sentence]</logline> <output> Hook paragraph (protagonist + incident + stakes) → plot paragraph (conflict, choice, stakes) → closing (emotional core) → bio → housekeeping. Under 350 words.
Pro tip: Agents decide on queries in 60 seconds. First paragraph must hook with protagonist + trouble + stakes. Save world-building for manuscript. Generic "In a world where..." dead on arrival.
Synopsis Writer
12/20✨ What it does
Writes synopses with full plot, emotional arc, turning points, and ending reveal.
<task>1-2 page synopsis</task> <plot>[full plot + ending]</plot> <characters>[list]</characters> <output> 500-750 words covering full plot with ending. Emphasize character motivation + emotional arc. Major turning points. Present tense, third person. Cut subplots not serving main thread.
Pro tip: Synopses: most hated part of publishing, most essential. Agents use them for craft assessment. Show emotional arc, not just events. Most read like plot summary; great ones read like emotional journey.
Book Blurb / Back Cover
13/20✨ What it does
Writes 150-200 word back-cover blurbs with emotional hooks and tone matching.
<task>Back-cover blurb</task> <title>[title]</title> <genre>[describe]</genre> <protagonist>[describe]</protagonist> <conflict>[describe]</conflict> <tone>[describe]</tone> <output> 150-200 words: intriguing opener → protagonist + situation → inciting incident + conflict → stakes → spoiler-free tease. Match book's actual tone.
Pro tip: Great blurbs promise what book delivers. Blurb promising romantic suspense + book is slow literary = readers feel cheated. Match blurb's tone to book's tone.
Comp Title Research
14/20✨ What it does
Finds realistic comp titles with recent publication, similar tone, and differentiation reasoning.
<task>Find comparable titles</task> <my_book>[premise + tone + audience]</my_book> <output> Criteria: 3-5 years recent, same genre+age, similar tone/aesthetic, moderate success (not mega-bestseller). 2-3 ideal comps + 1-sentence justification + how my book is similar yet distinct.
Pro tip: Comp failures: too big ("Harry Potter meets Gone Girl") or too old (2010 books). Find moderately successful 2022-2026 books sharing tone. Comps signal you understand market.
Author Bio for Queries
15/20✨ What it does
Writes 3 author bio variations for queries — credential, platform, personality emphasis.
<task>3 author bios for queries</task> <credentials>[list]</credentials> <platform>[describe]</platform> <output> Each 2-3 sentences: lead with most impressive credential, avoid irrelevant trivia, mention platform, memorable detail. No "always loved writing." 3 versions: credentials, platform, personality emphasis.
Pro tip: Debut authors no credits = emphasize relevant life experience. What makes YOU the person to write this book? Unique experience beats generic passion.
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Marketing
5 promptsBook Launch Plan
16/20✨ What it does
Plans book launches with 90-day pre-launch, launch week, post-launch, and measurement.
<task>Plan book launch</task> <genre>[describe]</genre> <audience>[describe]</audience> <launch_date>[date]</launch_date> <platform>[current]</platform> <output> 1. 90-day pre-launch (ARCs, reviews, cover reveal, preorder) 2. Launch week 3. 30-day post-launch 4. Playlist pitching 5. Press outreach 6. Realistic sales expectations 7. Success metrics </output>
Pro tip: Launches aren't events — 90-day sustained campaigns. Most front-load launch week and vanish. Winners build momentum 30-60 days AFTER release through reviews, content, collabs.
Author Newsletter Strategy
17/20✨ What it does
Builds author newsletter strategy with pillars, lead magnet, and cross-promos.
<task>Author newsletter strategy</task> <list>[size]</list> <genre>[describe]</genre> <goals>[sell books / loyal readers / paid tier]</goals> <output> 1. Content pillars (author life, craft, recs, exclusive, preview chapters) 2. Frequency 3. Lead magnet 4. Paid tier options 5. Launch leverage 6. Cross-promos with same-genre authors </output>
Pro tip: Newsletters with only "buy my book" die fast. Content serving readers first builds loyalty. When you launch, engaged list buys because they love the relationship.
Social Media for Authors
18/20✨ What it does
Builds author social strategy with platform prioritization and burnout-safe cadence.
<task>Author social strategy</task> <genre>[describe]</genre> <time>[hours/week]</time> <output> 1. Best platform for genre (TikTok/BookTok, Bookstagram, Twitter, YouTube) 2. Content pillars (process, bookish, personality, marketing) 3. Posting frequency 4. BookTok/Bookstagram tactics 5. Avoiding burnout 6. KPIs correlating to sales </output>
Pro tip: Authors burn out trying to be everywhere. Pick ONE platform matching energy + genre. TikTok for broad fiction, Substack for literary, Twitter for SFF. Go deep on one.
Book Review Outreach
19/20✨ What it does
Plans book review outreach with reviewer sourcing, templates, and ARC kits.
<task>Plan book review outreach</task> <genre>[describe]</genre> <book>[brief]</book> <output> 1. Reviewer sourcing (Goodreads, BookTok, bookstagram, trade) 2. Outreach template 3. ARC offer + logistics 4. Review kit (cover, blurb, samples, bio) 5. Follow-up etiquette 6. Gift ethics </output>
Pro tip: Reviewers get 100+ requests. Winning pitches come from genuine fans of their content. Follow 10-20 reviewers for 3+ months before asking. Authentic relationships > cold email.
Series Strategy
20/20✨ What it does
Plans series strategy with arc structure, continuity, release cadence, and retention.
<task>Plan series strategy</task> <book1_premise>[describe]</book1_premise> <total_books>[number]</total_books> <output> 1. Overarching plot vs book-specific 2. Character arcs (span vs per-book) 3. World-expansion cadence 4. Ending book 1 to hook book 2 5. Continuity management (Bible / wiki) 6. Release schedule (rapid vs annual) 7. Retention between books </output>
Pro tip: Series with strong book 1 endings sell book 2. Vague "stay tuned" loses readers. End book 1: main conflict resolved + new thread opened. Satisfying + hungry = book 2 buyers.
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