Social Studio

AI Image Generation

Create social media graphics using AI. Generate book-themed images, promotional graphics, and content visuals without design skills.

What is AI Image Generation?

AI image generation creates graphics from text descriptions. Describe what you want, and the AI produces an image.

Use cases for authors:

  • Social media graphics — Eye-catching post images
  • Book aesthetics — Mood boards and character vibes
  • Promotional images — Sale announcements, new releases
  • Quote graphics — Book quotes with backgrounds
  • Character portraits — Visual representations

Note

Making images with AI is included with your plan, so you do not need your own key. If you saved your own image key in Settings, it is used first. If that key stops working, you still get your image from the included service, with a note telling you to update or remove the key.

Using your own image key (optional)

  1. Go to Settings → API Keys in StorytellerOS
  2. Add your image key
  3. Save

Generating Images

  1. Go to Social Studio → Images
  2. Click + Generate Image
  3. Write your prompt (description)
  4. Select size/format
  5. Click Generate
  6. Wait for the AI to create your image
  7. Save images you like to your library

Writing Good Prompts

Better prompts = better images. Include:

Subject

What should be in the image:

  • "A cozy coffee shop with books"
  • "A mysterious castle at night"
  • "A woman reading by the ocean"

Style

How it should look:

  • "Watercolor painting"
  • "Photorealistic"
  • "Minimalist illustration"
  • "Vintage book cover style"

Mood/Atmosphere

The feeling it should evoke:

  • "Warm and inviting"
  • "Dark and mysterious"
  • "Bright and cheerful"
  • "Romantic sunset lighting"

Colors

Specific color preferences:

  • "Pink and gold color scheme"
  • "Dark blue and silver"
  • "Autumn colors"

Tip

Combine elements: "A cozy coffee shop with books and warm lighting, watercolor illustration style, autumn color palette, warm and inviting mood"

Image Sizes

Choose the right size for your platform:

Platform/UseRecommended Size
Instagram Square1080x1080
Instagram Portrait1080x1350
Instagram Story1080x1920
Facebook1200x630
Twitter1200x675
Pinterest1000x1500

Image Library

Saved images go to your library where you can:

  • Browse all generated images
  • Search by keyword or date
  • Organize into folders
  • Use in scheduled posts
  • Download for external use
  • Delete images you no longer need

Generating Variations

If you like an image but want something slightly different:

  1. Open the generated image
  2. Click Generate Variations
  3. The AI creates similar images with subtle differences
  4. Save your favorites

Batch Generation

Create multiple images at once:

  1. Enter your prompt
  2. Select Generate Multiple
  3. Choose how many (2-10)
  4. Generate
  5. Review all options
  6. Save the ones you like

Note

If you use your own image key, batch generation uses more of its credit. Check your usage with that service if you are making many images.

Adding Text to Images

After generating, you can add text overlays:

  • Book quotes
  • Sale announcements ("99¢ This Week!")
  • Release dates
  • Author name

The text editor lets you choose font, color, and position.

Text in AI Generation

AI-generated text within images is often garbled or incorrect. Generate the image without text, then add text using the text overlay tool.

Example Prompts for Authors

Romance

Romantic sunset scene with silhouettes of a couple, warm golden light, soft focus, dreamy atmosphere, photography style

Thriller

Dark alley in a city at night, rain-slicked streets, mysterious shadows, noir style, dramatic lighting, cinematic feel

Fantasy

Enchanted forest with glowing mushrooms and floating lights, magical atmosphere, ethereal, fantasy illustration style, purple and blue colors

Cozy Mystery

Quaint bookshop interior with a curious cat, warm lighting, vintage feel, cozy atmosphere, watercolor illustration style

Usage Rights

Images you make are yours to use for commercial purposes. If you use your own image key, check that service's current terms for specifics.

Understanding Costs

Images from the included service are part of your plan. If you use your own image key:

  • That service charges you per image
  • Higher quality or larger sizes may cost more
  • Check your usage in that service's own account
  • Set budget alerts there if it offers them

Best Practices

  • Be specific — Detailed prompts get better results
  • Iterate — Refine your prompt based on results
  • Save good prompts — Reuse prompts that work well
  • Match your brand — Use consistent styles across images
  • Add text after — Do not ask AI to generate text in images
  • Generate extras — Create images in batches for efficiency