Creating your first book — step by step

<p>Here's exactly what happens from "I want to make a book" to "I have a book to review."</p>

<h3>Step 1: Pick a template</h3>

<p>Browse the template gallery at <a href="https://moonshinestory.com/personalized-books">moonshinestory.com/personalized-books</a>. You'll find books for:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>Milestones</strong> — birthdays, new sibling, first day of school, losing a tooth</li>

<li><strong>Life events</strong> — hospital visits, moving house, haircuts, doctor visits</li>

<li><strong>Holidays</strong> — Christmas, Diwali, Lunar New Year, Hanukkah, Eid</li>

<li><strong>Themes</strong> — bedtime, kindness, big feelings, friendship</li>

</ul>

<p>Click any template to see a sample book and what's personalized inside.</p>

<h3>Step 2: Personalize it</h3>

<p>After picking a template, you'll fill in details about the child:</p>

<ul>

<li>Their <strong>name</strong> and <strong>age</strong></li>

<li>Their <strong>appearance</strong> — hair color and style, skin tone, glasses, etc.</li>

<li>Optionally a <strong>reference photo</strong> to help our AI match their look</li>

<li><strong>Other characters</strong> — siblings, grandparents, pets, best friends</li>

<li><strong>Story-specific details</strong> — for example, the sibling's name in a "new baby" book, or the holiday your family celebrates</li>

</ul>

<p>The more detail you give us, the more the finished book will feel like it was made for them specifically.</p>

<h3>Step 3: We generate the book</h3>

<p>Once you confirm the details, we write the story and illustrate every page. This takes a few minutes — you can leave the tab open or come back later, the book waits for you in your library.</p>

<p>You'll see a notification when it's ready.</p>

<h3>Step 4: Review and edit</h3>

<p>Open the book in the editor and flip through every page. You can:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>Rewrite or tweak the text</strong> on any page</li>

<li><strong>Regenerate an illustration</strong> if you want a different angle, expression, or pose</li>

<li><strong>Adjust how a character looks</strong> — refine the likeness if it's not quite right</li>

<li><strong>Move or remove characters</strong> from specific scenes</li>

</ul>

<p>Free accounts can regenerate a limited number of illustrations. Paid plans give you more regens per book.</p>

<h3>Step 5: Purchase</h3>

<p>When you're happy with the book, choose how to receive it:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>Digital PDF</strong> — download immediately, print at home or share digitally</li>

<li><strong>Hardcover book</strong> — professionally printed and shipped to your address (7–14 business days in the US)</li>

</ul>

<p>Both options are available. You can buy digital first and order a hardcover later if you decide you want one.</p>

<h3>Stuck somewhere?</h3>

<p>If a book won't generate, an illustration looks wrong, or you can't find a template you need, just open the chat bubble in the corner and we'll help.</p>

Updated on: 20/05/2026