19 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books in 2024
Last Updated: July 16, 2024 • 6 min read
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If you find yourself staying up late to finish chapters, cozying up with a new book, or enjoying audiobooks, this could be your ideal side hustle.
Many legitimate websites pay for reading aloud and reviewing books. You can do these real jobs from home, offering flexible ways to earn extra income.
You can even turn reading into a full-time career. Whether you're into horror, romance, fiction, or nonfiction, you can get paid doing what you love.
19 Legit Ways To Get Paid To Read Books
- Make Money On BookTok
- Kirkus Reviews
- Online Book Club
- The US Review of Books
- Reedsy
- BookBrowse
- UpWork
- Booklist
- New Pages
- Women’s Review of Books
- Proofread Books
- Narrate Audiobooks
- Book Review Blog
- Translate Books
- Write a Book
- Read Books For Amazon
- Become a Librarian
- Design Book Covers
- Publishers Weekly
1. Make Money On BookTok
TikTok’s literary community, "BookTok", lets avid readers turn their passion into profit.
Share book reviews or fun reading moments to catch attention and start earning. Publishers might send free books for you to review. Earn money when people buy through your links, especially on Amazon. With enough followers, authors and book companies might pay you for promotion.
But the key is to be real. Honest and genuine love for books can lead to making money on BookTok.
2. Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews seeks book reviewers for their Kirkus Indie section. They require around 350 words, due two weeks after the assignment.
With over 10,000 books reviewed annually, Kirkus is a popular choice for book reviewers.
3. Online Book Club
Online Book Club offers book reviewers a unique payment system: receive your first payment in the form of a book, and subsequent reviews earn cash plus free books.
Reviewers can earn between $5 to $60 per review. Over 10,000 authors have submitted their books for review.
According to the site, reviewers can earn several hundred dollars monthly through book reviews.
4. The US Review of Books
The US Review of Books employs freelance writers to craft insightful reviews, typically spanning 250 to 300 words.
Reviewers are expected to provide summaries that offer meaningful insights into the books they review.
To join as a reviewer, applicants must submit a resume, sample work, and at least two professional references to the editor for consideration.
5. Reedsy
Reedsy Discovery offers book reviewers the opportunity to review pre-publication books and earn money through reader tips.
Authors submit their books for review, and reviewers receive tips from readers who purchase the book, ranging from $1 to $5.
6. BookBrowse
At BookBrowse, aspiring book reviewers can apply to review books across genres like young adult, nonfiction, adult fiction, and graphic novels.
Reviewers typically contribute about one review per month.
Compensation details may vary based on the specific arrangement with BookBrowse.
7. UpWork
On UpWork, you can establish yourself as a freelance book reviewer by creating a profile and listing your services.
Clients and authors can discover and hire you directly for book reviews. You have the flexibility to set your rates and choose your clients.
Freelance book reviewers on UpWork charge rates ranging from $20 to $60 per hour, allowing you to tailor your pricing based on your expertise and client needs.
8. Booklist
Booklist Publications seeks freelance book reviewers for concise reviews, typically 150 to 175 words long.
Reviews should outline the plot, recommend an ideal audience, and provide additional insights.
Reviewers are compensated $15 per published review, with payment issued upon publication.
Booklist, affiliated with the American Library Association, focuses on aiding library workers in selecting books for school and public libraries.
9. New Pages
New Pages features concise and substantive book reviews, with a maximum length of 200 words. They also review literary magazines.
10. Women’s Review of Books
The Women’s Review of Books, published by the Wellesley Centers for Women, compensates reviewers for book and poetry reviews.
11. Proofread Books
Proofreading involves getting paid to read unpublished books, ensuring they are error-free in terms of grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Authors, from self-publishers to large publishers, rely on proofreaders to enhance the quality of their manuscripts.
If you’re already a natural proofreader, why not turn it into a side hustle?
12. Narrate Audiobooks
Becoming a narrator for audiobooks, videos, commercials, and more is a popular and enjoyable career path.
Voice-over actors bring stories to life in various media like audiobooks, commercials, videos, and more.
13. Book Review Blog
Starting a book review blog allows you to review books that interest you, potentially earning money online.
Your honest reviews will attract readers to your blog.
Monetization options include affiliate links to bookstores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Some bloggers also use books to engage readers in discussions or offer insights on various topics.
Affiliate marketing is a top method for monetizing blogs.
14. Translate Books
If you're fluent in another language, you can find work-from-home opportunities to get paid for translating books.
Alternatively, you can earn by proofreading or editing translated books to ensure they read smoothly and accurately.
15. Write a Book
If you enjoy reading books, consider writing your own as a way to earn money from home.
Writing involves reading your own work extensively, making it a rewarding endeavor for book lovers looking to generate income.
16. Read Books For Amazon
Amazon offers more than just shopping – you can get paid to read books through Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX), an Audible subsidiary.
ACX connects authors and publishers with narrators and producers, facilitating audiobook distribution on Amazon, iTunes, and Audible.
For aspiring narrators, ACX is a prime platform to showcase talents like accents. Upload sample recordings to attract potential clients seeking experienced narrators.
17. Become a Librarian
Becoming a librarian offers the advantages of reading, managing, and organizing books.
Librarians suggest books, guide visitors to information, and assist with author events and conferences.
They also organize archives and access digital resources, expanding their role beyond traditional book management.
18. Design Book Covers
As an artist who loves reading, becoming a book cover designer lets you merge your passions. Imagine the impact of your artwork setting the tone for the story.
Reading the book is essential for capturing its theme and essence, guiding the design process.
Book designers often collaborate closely with authors and publishers to ensure the cover reflects the story accurately.
19. Publishers Weekly
You can submit book reviews to Publishers Weekly, a renowned news magazine.
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