DriveThru Fiction

DriveThru Fiction for Indie Authors

DriveThru Fiction is a niche marketplace dedicated to authors of speculative fiction, role-playing game tie-ins, science fiction, and fantasy. Operated by OneBookShelf—the company behind DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild—DriveThru Fiction gives indie authors access to a loyal base of readers already immersed in worlds of adventure, magic, and cyberpunk chaos. Unlike generalist book retailers, DriveThru Fiction is built from the ground up to cater to fandoms, gamer culture, and universe-driven storytelling.

Thousands of authors and small presses sell through DriveThru Fiction, either independently or as part of a larger brand that spans RPG campaigns, game manuals, or digital adventures. The readers are hyper-engaged, story-hungry, and actively seeking lore-rich fiction tied to the games and genres they already love. While the overall reach may not rival Amazon’s, the targeted nature of the audience leads to stronger niche sales and longer series engagement.

If you write in fantasy, sci-fi, horror, steampunk, or anything set in or inspired by role-playing environments, DriveThru Fiction should be on your radar.



Platform History: From Tabletop to Fiction Frontline

DriveThru Fiction was launched as a fiction-specific offshoot of DriveThruRPG in response to growing demand from readers looking for novels and stories set in their favorite gaming universes. OneBookShelf, the parent company, saw an opportunity to serve authors who created supplemental narratives—whether official tie-ins or original worlds that appealed to RPG enthusiasts.

Initially home to licensed fiction from RPG publishers like White Wolf and Catalyst Game Labs, the platform quickly expanded to include indie authors writing everything from epic sword-and-sorcery to post-apocalyptic noir. Today, DriveThru Fiction includes both indie and small press titles, giving solo authors a chance to stand alongside well-known imprints in speculative publishing.

With a storefront organized by genre, publisher, series, and format—including bundles, audio, and print options—DriveThru Fiction has matured into a reliable, focused outlet for genre authors who want to reach committed, paying readers without getting lost in the algorithm shuffle.

How DriveThru Fiction Fits in a WIDE Strategy

DriveThru Fiction plays a strategic role in a wide publishing approach, especially for authors writing in genres underserved or under-promoted on general retail platforms. Rather than trying to outbid thrillers or romance on Amazon, DriveThru Fiction lets you stand out directly within your niche.

Here’s where it strengthens your wide plan:

• Genre-embedded audience: Readers already love speculative fiction and game-adjacent storytelling.

• Cross-channel synergy: DriveThru Fiction customers often follow authors across product lines (e.g., RPG modules and novels).

• Strong DRM options: Offers watermarking and buyer tracking to discourage piracy.

• Flexible formats: Support for ePub, PDF, and POD allows creative packaging.

• Supportive storefront: Emphasizes bundles, series, and publisher-branded catalogs.

It may not be your largest platform in terms of volume, but its focused audience leads to consistent, loyal sales if your books match the tone and tropes readers expect.

What DriveThru Fiction Offers Indie Authors

DriveThru Fiction lets authors upload and sell digital books (PDF, ePub, Mobi), offer print-on-demand options, and customize their product pages with series metadata, contributor credits, and optional preview files. You can also participate in sales, bundles, or thematic promotions organized by the platform.

You control the pricing, file types, metadata, and publishing schedule. The platform offers a branded author or publisher page where you can showcase your entire catalog, including cross-sells with RPG content if you publish both. Every product includes space for downloadable samples, alternate covers, or add-on files like maps or lore appendices.

One unique feature is the ability to bundle fiction with other digital products, making it ideal for authors who publish in gaming-adjacent spaces. Want to include a short story with your RPG campaign setting? DriveThru Fiction makes that possible.

Terms, Royalties & Payment Structure

DriveThru Fiction operates with two royalty structures, depending on your exclusivity choice.

• Royalty Rate:

  • 70% of the sale price if you sell exclusively on DriveThru Fiction.

  • 65% if you also list your book on other platforms (non-exclusive).

• Payout Method: Payments are issued via PayPal or check.

• Threshold: Minimum $10 payout.

• Payment Frequency: Monthly.

• Sales Reports: Available in real-time and downloadable by title.

There are no upfront fees. You can price your books however you like, and special pricing (for bundles or promotions) can be set at your discretion.

Comparison Chart: DriveThru Fiction vs Major Platforms

Marketing Through DriveThru Fiction

DriveThru Fiction's marketing tools are community-driven, practical, and designed for authors familiar with gaming culture. While it doesn’t offer paid ad dashboards like Amazon, it provides several high-impact ways to increase visibility:

• Email Spotlights: Weekly and genre-specific emails sent to subscribers highlight new releases, staff picks, and sales.

• Bundles and Promotions: Authors can group their titles with others under a theme or event (e.g., Halloween Horror Sale).

• Publisher Features: DriveThru may feature your work on the homepage or a curated collection if it aligns with their calendar.

• Social Promotions: Cross-promotion via DriveThru’s Twitter and Facebook often includes new fiction announcements.

• Discount Codes: You can generate unique coupon codes for promotions, newsletters, or review campaigns.

To succeed, authors should maintain an active storefront, update regularly, and participate in themed events—especially around conventions, gaming releases, or seasonal promotions.

Pros and Cons of Using DriveThru Fiction

Pros:

• Niche audience of genre-hungry readers

• Strong support for bundles, tie-ins, and supplemental fiction

• Easy integration with RPG or speculative fiction product lines

• Favorable royalty rates, especially for exclusivity

• DRM watermarking protects against casual piracy

Cons:

• Smaller market reach compared to Amazon

• Discovery relies on participation in community promotions

• Interface is more utilitarian than sleek

ScribeCount Integration with DriveThru Fiction

While not traditionally one of the bigger ebook retailers, DriveThru Fiction has carved out enough of a footprint that it’s recognized by ScribeCount as a valid component in a wide publishing plan. Authors can manually import and integrate DriveThru sales data into their ScribeCount dashboard to ensure it is tracked alongside Amazon, Kobo, Apple, and more.

For genre authors who publish fiction, RPG products, or serialized stories across multiple platforms, ScribeCount brings critical visibility to how these niche storefronts are performing. With customizable views and exportable reports, you’ll get full insight into how DriveThru supports your broader strategy.

Conclusion

DriveThru Fiction is more than a storefront—it’s a digital guild hall for authors and readers who share a love of immersive, genre-driven storytelling. For indie authors writing speculative fiction, tie-in stories, or works that echo the tone of RPG campaigns and fan-based universes, this platform offers unparalleled alignment between content and audience.

Its flexibility, loyal readership, and cooperative marketing ecosystem make it a vital part of a truly wide strategy—especially when you want your fiction to live and breathe among readers who already believe in dragons, space wars, and arcane conspiracies.

If you’ve ever built a world so deep it needs both a novel and a map pack, DriveThru Fiction might just be your perfect marketplace.