The editor is where your book takes its final shape. Once the wizard has generated your story and its illustrations, the editor gives you full control over every element: the text, the images, the cover and the back cover. This detailed guide shows you how to get the most out of each feature so you end up with exactly the book you imagined.
The editor interface
The editor has a navigation bar at the top and a sidebar listing all the pages of your book. Each page shows its illustration and text side by side. You can move from one page to the next by clicking in the sidebar or using the navigation arrows.
The page you currently have selected appears large in the center of the screen, with the illustration on top and the text area below. This is where you'll make all of your changes.
Editing the text
The text on every page is fully editable. Just click on the text area to start editing. You can fix a typo, rephrase a sentence, add a line of dialogue or even rewrite an entire passage. There are no limits: the text you see is exactly what will appear in the final book.
A few tips for great text:
- Read it out loud. This is the most reliable way to check that the rhythm flows well and that the sentences aren't too long for the target age.
- Vary your sentence length. Alternating between short and longer sentences creates a pleasant rhythm. Short sentences pack a punch for moments of action or surprise.
- Keep the dialogue natural. Children in stories should talk like real children. If a line sounds too literary, simplify it.
- Watch the amount of text per page. Too much text on a page hurts readability and weakens the impact of the illustration. For toddlers, aim for 1 to 3 sentences per page. For ages 4-7, 3 to 5 sentences. For ages 8-12, a short paragraph.
All your text changes are saved automatically. There's no "save" button to click.
The three illustration modes
This is the most powerful feature of the editor. For each illustration, you have three distinct generation modes, each suited to a different need. Knowing when to use each mode is the key to getting perfect illustrations.
Mode 1: Edit this image
This mode keeps the overall composition of the current image and applies a precise change that you describe. The AI analyzes the existing image and only changes what you ask for, preserving everything else.
When to use it: when the illustration is good overall but one detail bothers you. For example:
- "Change the hat color to red"
- "Make the character smile"
- "Add a butterfly in the top-right corner"
- "Remove the tree on the left"
- "Make the sky more orange, like a sunset"
The key is to be precise in your description. The clearer your instruction, the closer the result will be to what you have in mind. Avoid vague requests like "improve the image" and favor concrete, localized instructions.
Mode 2: New image
This mode regenerates the illustration from scratch based on the page text and the character description. The result will be completely different from the previous image: new composition, new angle, new background. Only the art style and the characters stay consistent.
When to use it: when the illustration doesn't match what you wanted at all. If the scene is misinterpreted, if the composition is confusing, or if you simply want to see a completely different alternative, "New image" mode is your best ally.
Don't hesitate to generate several times. Each generation produces a unique result, and the illustration history lets you go back to a previous version if you want.
Mode 3: New shot (change of angle)
This mode is unique to Maker Book. It regenerates the illustration with a random cinematic camera angle, chosen from 11 different options:
- High angle (bird's-eye view): a view from above, ideal for showing a landscape or a wide scene.
- Low angle: a view from below, which makes the character look imposing and heroic.
- Worm's-eye view: even lower than a low angle, for maximum dramatic effect.
- Over-the-shoulder: the reader sees the scene from a character's point of view, which creates immersion.
- Close-up: a tight frame on the face or an important detail.
- Wide shot: shows the whole scene with the character in context.
- And several other cinematic angles to vary the perspectives.
When to use it: when you want to energize your book with varied perspectives. A book where every illustration is shot from the same angle (the character facing forward in the center) quickly becomes monotonous. Changing the angle adds visual rhythm and makes the reading more captivating.
Pro tip: use a low angle for the hero's moments of bravery, a high angle for scenes where a place is discovered, and a close-up for moments of intense emotion.
The illustration history
Every illustration has a history that keeps up to 10 previous versions. Each time you generate a new image (whatever the mode), the old version is automatically archived in the history.
This history is persistent: it's saved in the database and stays available even if you leave the editor and come back later. You can navigate the history with the undo/redo buttons to compare versions and pick the one you like best.
The history is especially useful when you experiment. You can generate several variants in "New image" mode, browse the history to compare them, and go back to the version you prefer. It's a safety net that encourages you to experiment without fear of losing a good illustration.
Using a page as a reference
When you edit an illustration, you can mention another page as a reference in your instructions. For example, if the illustration on page 3 shows a setting you like, you can write "use the same background as page 3" in your edit instructions. The AI will automatically detect the reference and use that page's illustration as a visual guide.
This feature is invaluable for keeping visual consistency between pages. If your story takes place in the same location across several pages, referencing the first illustration of that location ensures the setting stays consistent.
The panoramic cover
The editor offers a special button to generate a panoramic cover. This feature creates a single large image that is then split in two: the right half becomes the front cover, and the left half the back cover. The result is a continuous image that spans the entire surface of the closed book, a very professional effect found in high-quality books.
Note: the panoramic cover replaces the existing front and back covers. Make sure you're happy with the result before moving on to export.
Parallel generations
The editor lets you launch several illustration generations at the same time on different pages. You don't have to wait for one generation to finish before starting another. This saves you a considerable amount of time when you want to rework several pages.
Take advantage of it to launch the changes you're sure about across several pages, then come back and check the results one by one. Each generation is independent and doesn't affect the others.
Tips for perfect illustrations
- Start with the most important pages. The cover, the first page and the climax page of the story deserve the most attention.
- Vary the angles. Use "New shot" mode to break the monotony and create a visually dynamic book.
- Be specific in your edits. "Add a rainbow behind the mountain" will give a better result than "make the image prettier".
- Make the most of the history. Generate 3 or 4 variants of an important illustration, then choose the best one from the history.
- Check the character's consistency. The AI maintains consistency thanks to the hero's reference image, but check that the details (clothing color, accessories) stay the same from one page to the next.
The editor is designed so you can spend anywhere from a few minutes to several hours polishing your book, depending on how demanding you are. A quick book can be just as successful as one you've labored over. What matters is that you love the final result and that it lights up its reader's eyes.