How to Put a Lumos Story on a Kindle Using Calibre
You can put a Lumos story on a Kindle without using Amazon’s Send to Kindle service. First, download the whole story as an EPUB with WP Downloader. You can then use calibre to convert it to AZW3 and copy it to your Kindle over USB.
You will need a computer for this method. calibre is a free e-book manager for Windows, macOS, and Linux. WP Downloader is a free web tool, so you do not need to install anything to download the story.
What you will need
Have the following ready:
- The Lumos story page in your browser
- A Windows, macOS, or Linux computer
- calibre installed on the computer
- Your Kindle e-reader and its USB cable
A Lumos story address normally looks like this:
http://lumos.sycophanthex.com/viewstory.php?sid=1234WP Downloader downloads the whole story from Lumos. It cannot download a single chapter or a list of stories from the site.
Step 1: Download the Lumos story as an EPUB
Open the Lumos downloader and paste the story link into the box. WP Downloader will detect the site and prepare the story for download.
Choose EPUB as the output format. EPUB downloads are free for everyone, and calibre can convert the file to AZW3 for your Kindle. You can also choose whether to include the story’s images.
You do not need to sign in to Lumos. WP Downloader does not bypass paywalls, locked chapters, or age restrictions.
WP Downloader can also create a PDF after a free Discord sign-in, though you do not need one for this guide. It does not create MOBI or AZW3 files. calibre will handle the conversion.
For more help with the first step, see how to download Lumos stories.
Step 2: Add the EPUB to calibre
Open calibre and select Add books, then choose the EPUB you downloaded.
The story will appear in your calibre library. You can check its title, author, cover, and other metadata before converting it. calibre also lets you edit the metadata and cover if you want the book to appear differently in your library or on your Kindle.
To check that you downloaded the intended story, open the EPUB in calibre’s e-book viewer. The viewer also has a Read aloud feature for listening on your computer.
Step 3: Convert the EPUB to AZW3
Select the Lumos story in your calibre library and choose the option to convert the book. Set AZW3 as the output format.
AZW3 is a Kindle format that you can transfer directly to a Kindle e-reader over USB.
Kindles can still open MOBI and AZW3 files copied over USB. Amazon stopped accepting MOBI through its Send to Kindle service, but this did not end support for files transferred directly to the device.
Step 4: Connect the Kindle over USB
Connect your Kindle e-reader to the computer with its USB cable. When calibre recognizes the device, select the converted story and choose Send to device.
After calibre transfers the book, disconnect the Kindle and look for the story in its library.
This method does not upload the book through Send to Kindle. If you prefer to use Amazon’s service, follow the guide to send Lumos stories to Kindle.
Downloading new chapters later
WP Downloader cannot update an EPUB that you have already downloaded. If the Lumos story gets new chapters, paste its link into WP Downloader again and download a new copy.
Add the new EPUB to calibre, convert it to AZW3, and transfer the new version to your Kindle over USB.
FAQ
Can WP Downloader make an AZW3 or MOBI file?
No. WP Downloader creates EPUB files for everyone and PDF files after a free Discord sign-in. Use calibre to convert the EPUB to AZW3 for your Kindle.
Do I need a Lumos account?
No. WP Downloader does not require a Lumos sign-in. Paste the story’s viewstory.php link into the Lumos downloader.
Why use AZW3 if Send to Kindle stopped accepting MOBI?
Send to Kindle and USB transfer work differently. Kindle e-readers still open MOBI and AZW3 files copied over USB, even though Send to Kindle no longer accepts MOBI.
Can I transfer a single Lumos chapter?
WP Downloader downloads whole Lumos stories only. It cannot download a single chapter or a story list from Lumos.
Can I use this EPUB on a Kobo instead?
Yes. See how to read Lumos stories on Kobo for device-specific instructions.