Why Luminovels Cost More Than Regular Books (And Why They’re Worth It)
If you’ve picked up a copy of Through Water and Ruin or browsed Luminovels online, you might’ve noticed that they’re priced a little higher than your average paperback. And that’s true — because they’re not your average books.
Luminovels are built differently, and they’re made to feel different — from the way they look to the way they read, hold, and even smell.
You’re Holding a Personalised, Print-On-Demand Book
Each copy of a Luminovel isn’t mass produced in a warehouse. It’s made on demand — one at a time, just for you. That means no bulk runs, no dusty shelves, and no waste. When you place an order, your book is printed specifically for you. It’s fresh. It’s yours. And that individuality is part of the value.
Larger Pages = Bigger Experience
A Luminovel is printed at 8 x 10 inches — far larger than a typical paperback. And because many scenes span both pages, a double-page spread opens up to 16 x 10 inches. That’s over 8 times the surface area of a smartphone screen. It’s not just about size for size’s sake — it’s about immersion. You’re stepping into the story, not just scrolling past it.
Full-Colour Printing, Cover to Cover
Most books are printed in black and white because it’s cheaper — much cheaper. Full-colour printing can cost 2 to 5 times more depending on the print method and scale. But for Luminovels, colour isn’t a luxury. It’s essential. Photography, illustration, visual layout — these all rely on high-fidelity colour to deliver the emotional weight and atmosphere of the story.
Premium Paper.
Most budget paperbacks use 50 lb (74 GSM) cream paper — thin, porous, and prone to shadowing from the reverse page. Through Water and Ruin is printed on 60 lb, 90 GSM bright white paper. This paper is denser, smoother, and designed to hold vibrant colour and fine detail. It’s built for impact — not just utility.
Every Page Is Designed — Not Just Typeset
Traditional books are often dropped into a text template. Done.
Luminovels are built page by page.
From layout and image sequencing to how text interacts with photography, each page is a design decision. When a spread covers 16 inches of space, that layout needs to flow — across the page, and into the story. It takes more time and more effort, but it’s what creates the Luminovel effect.
Independent by Nature, Intentional by Design
I don’t work with big printing houses. I don’t chase margins. I make these books independently so I can focus on quality, not quotas. That means I don’t have to cut corners — I can choose better paper, better layout, better printing — because the goal is care, not mass-production.
Every decision is made with you, the reader, in mind — not a boardroom.
This Isn’t Just a Book. It’s an Experience.
You’re not just buying text. You’re buying atmosphere. Memory. Image. Design.
You’re buying a story you don’t just read — you see, feel, and inhabit.
That takes more to make. But it also gives you more in return.