This is a follow-up of #5149, where we're polishing the style of the flexible layout templates UI. In that issue, I suggested the following:
The "Add row" button should match the rest of the "+ Add xyz" buttons we use throughout the admin UI I think. (Separate UX issue: having that button live at the bottom of the form becomes problematic - especially with templates that have many rows. I thing that we should either move to the top, or add multiple "Add row here" buttons between each row perhaps? ).

Less scrolling, and one less step in order to drag the newly-created rows to the right place -> UX win.
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I don't think there is currently a way to set back references in bulk for existing books that already reference an author... I believe you can do this with CER through the UI...
Backlinks for Entity Reference?
If choosing the Views approach you can also use https://backdropcms.org/project/eva which allows you to place the list with more flexibility.
Backlinks for Entity Reference?
Thanks. It still took a lot of trial and error for all the settings within the settings, but I eventually got it to display based on these instructions.
Backlinks for Entity Reference?