Do you love to read? Do you wish your pastime could become a way to make some extra money? If so, you’re in luck – there are plenty of opportunities to get paid to read books! From audiobook narrations and book reviews to designing book covers, there are ways for people with a passion for books to monetize their hobby.
This blog post breaks down seven unique approaches any avid reader can use to make money from their craft. So grab those novels off the shelf and crack them open – it may be time to turn your favorite activity into an income generator!
1. Get Paid To Write Reviews
After you’ve read a book, you think a lot about it. There’s a need for you to share an opinion about what you’ve read. You want to express how you feel about this book. Yet, it may happen that people close to you are not bookworms like you. They don’t share the passion for the particular genre you love.
Luckily, we live in the Internet era, where you can effortlessly connect with thousands of people like you. One-click lets you share your opinions and insights with book lovers worldwide. But wait…why not cash in on this? Why not share your opinion with the world and get paid?
Too good to be true? I’m glad to tell you there are online services that will not only deliver you a free book to read but also pay you for writing honest reviews on it.
Book reviews can be an excellent source of side income. You earn on your passion for doing things you love. Most sites expect book reviewers to write a 200-350 word review, which is not a great challenge, especially for an avid reader.
Check out these online services if you’ve ever thought about getting paid for writing book reviews.
Booklist Online
Booklist Online hires book reviewers. Before you sign up for a free trial, get familiar with their publications and writing style. Then send relevant samples of your freelance book reviews to the editor of your choice. The list of editors is available here. The maximum length of a review is 175 words, and the pay is $15 per review if accepted.
Kirkus Media
Kirkus Media focuses on reviewing books from all genres. With 10,000 books reviewed or edited annually, they have plenty of work to do. Now and then, they enroll reviewers to read and evaluate books. Their reviews are typically about 350 words.
How to become a book reviewer for Kirkus? Submit your writing samples, your resume, and a list of genres you want to review. If you have any previous experience, don’t forget to mention it.
Online Book Club
If you don’t feel like praising something you didn’t like, there’s good news: Online Book Club doesn’t pay you for a positive review but for an honest one. You can openly say you didn’t like something.
The pay is between $5-$60 for a review. You can make even a couple of hundred bucks monthly when establishing your reviewer position. Ready to start your adventure with Online Books Club? Sign up for free here.
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is a weekly news magazine focusing on the book publishing business. They prefer freelance book reviewers with experience, but newbies can also get a chance. Book readers will get paid to read and review books in categories such as economics, law, self-help, mystery, spirituality, and all types of religion, sports, memoirs and others.
To apply, send a resume and a sample review of about 200 words to reviewers@publisherweekly.com. You’ll find editorial formatting examples in the released Publishers Weekly reviews. In the email subject heading, write “Book Reviewing” and the category of your interest.
The U.S. Review of Books
The length of their standard review is 250-300 words. You have 2-3 weeks to return the review. Each month you will receive a check for every review written in the previous month.
Are you interested? Send your application by email or through regular mail. It should contain a resume, sample work, and no less than two professional references.
Book Browse
You apply for the position of BookBrowse.com reviewer by filling in the application form. But to save you time, before applying, go to their site and read some of their reviews to ensure you can present an equal standard of writing. You will also have to prove this by submitting a review of at least 300 words.
Book Browse reviewers receive modest compensation for their work and a byline. Usually, they write about one review per month. If you are not a resident of the U.S., you can also apply, but you have to be comfortable reading ebooks instead of print copies.
Upwork
Want even more opportunities to get paid to read and review books? Check out Upwork, the platform where freelancers and those who want to hire a professional for a specific type of work are connected.
Jobs for book reviews are also on the platform. When you set up your profile with a portfolio, including your review samples, you can apply for jobs and have a chance to be found by clients.
An account on Upwork will let you offer other services according to your qualifications, like graphic designing, copyediting, proofreading, or copywriting.
Reedsy
With Reedsy, signing up is easy – all you have to do is set up your profile. Then, you can pick through hundreds of different books, looking for one that piques your interest before it even hits the shelves.
Not only can you read some amazing titles, but every time someone buys a book after reading your review, they can leave a tip. You could receive between $1-$5 just for giving feedback, so it’s an opportunity not to be missed!
Women’s Review of Books
The Women’s Review of Books, a publication by the Wellesley Centers for Women, is a great way to get your foot in the door if you’re interested in becoming a book reviewer. With its print publications, the WRB provides an opportunity for those who want to develop their writing and critical thinking skills – all while getting paid for it.
2. Get Paid To Read Books Aloud
Do you like to engage deeply in what you read and add expression and emotion? You can get paid to read books aloud for people who don’t have time to do this.
Busy homemakers, sales agents, teenagers, and avid readers use every opportunity to devour new books. All of them eagerly listen to audiobooks. And you can earn by narrating them.
The audiobook market is skyrocketing, and only 5% of professionally published books are in audio today. You can become an audiobook narrator working from your home. Here are some services where you can get paid to read books aloud:
Acx
ACX is a service where audiobook narrators connect with those who want to create an audio version of their work. After signing in on ACX, you create a profile listing your experience.
You may upload an unlimited number of samples. You can also search for books you want to narrate and participate in auditions. They take only 15 minutes.
Voices
Want more opportunities in the voice-over industry? Create a profile on Voices.com. The site will give you a chance to get gigs for voice actors.
You don’t need to have much experience. After you upload a demo on your profile, your abilities get matched with clients’ expectations by Voice Match. Every completed job is paid via PayPal or check.
3. Get Paid to Design Book Covers
Today there is a growing number of authors who decide to self-publish their books. Many of them publish solely in ebook formats due to the lower costs of electronic publishing.
It is not uncommon that a writer publishes several books every year. All these books need covers and someone who will design them. With basic design skills, you can offer book covers for self-publishing authors using low-cost or even free programs.
Here are some free programs you could try:
You can offer your services on freelancing sites like Upwork, Fiverr, Design Crowd, or Freelancer.
Websites like Self Pub Book Covers are also worth checking. Authors choose a premade book cover from among 30,000 unique book covers. Once the book cover sells from the service, it is never offered for sale again.
It even happens that authors, fascinated by the look of a book cover, buy it, and only then they start to write a book inspired by the cover. You can learn much about book covers by analyzing books from a library, bookshop, or even your bookshelf.
There are many artistic book covers, a bunch of them are minimalist in style, and still, many are utterly pathetic. That’s why you should change the world with your designs.
If you feel that designing book covers might be something for you, why not start now? You’ll get confidence with time, and your designs will improve. It’s risk-free: there’s no charge for uploading your work on the sites.
4. Copyediting
You can get paid to read books while suggesting how to improve the text. You can try working as a copyeditor if you have excellent grammar and spelling skills.
After its author finishes a book, it needs someone with a fresh eye who will read it and see whether there are any errors, repetitions, omissions, or inconsistencies. In general, someone who will improve the overall readability and accuracy of the copy.
Copyediting jobs get outsourced by big and small publishers, magazines, websites, or indie authors. To increase your chances of getting hired, consider obtaining a Copyediting Certificate. This article discusses whether or not it’s worth having.
You can learn much about the profession from The Copyeditor’s Handbook by Amy Einsohn. Anyone who wants to work as a copy editor should also know The Chicago Manual of Style. The Boston Globe wrote that it’s a “guiding light for almost all published writing in America today.”
Being good at writing and editing makes you an excellent potential author of books. There’s probably a seed of a new book in you. If you want to cherish it and let it grow, read the guide to writing your book and earning money.
5. Get Free Books for Review
Even if you don’t find a job as a book reviewer, you can still get some free books for review. It’s a good starting point. Many job offers for reviewers require some experience. So why not start with writing reviews in exchange for a free book? Here are some of the options:
Baker Publishing
Do you enjoy Christian fiction and non-fiction books? Do you have an active book blog or a Youtube review channel that you can use to help authors promote books? If so, you are a good match for Baker Publishing reviewer.
To join the program, fill out the application form. When you get accepted, you will receive a monthly newsletter where you can sign up for books to review.
Moody Publishers
Apply to Moody Publishers program by filling out the registration form. After you join, you can see books available for review. Pick the one you are interested in, and they will send it to you within 7-10 days. You have 60 days to write an honest review of the entire book and post it on your blog and a consumer retail site.
Net Galley
Being a member of Net Galley allows you to read galleys digitally on reading devices and platforms. And what are galleys? In the book trade, this is the name for new books that are not published yet. Ready to read and recommend such books? If so, Net Galley is open to you for free.
My Reader Review Club
You can earn points as a member of the My Reader Review Club. Later you can redeem them for books and bibles. Signing up already gives you 25 points for a good start. You can earn more points when you write reviews, invite friends, take surveys, shop at Tyndale.com or NavPress.com, and more. It’s a great way to earn free books for yourself and your family and friends.
Springer
You can get a free book when you write a review for Springer. After you log into your account, you get access to a list of books available for review. It is also possible to reserve books that are not available now. When you select an available book, you get immediate access and can read it online using Online-Reader.
How to get a “thank you” copy from Springer? You must have a review published in an international magazine, newspaper, online specialty media, or specialty journal.
You need to provide the information where the review appears. If the book you reviewed was new (not older than three years when you obtained it online), you would get a free hard copy.
Library Thing
The Library Thing membership is free, and you don’t have to buy anything to become a member. Every month, Library Thing announces new batches of books available for review. You have time to apply before the given date.
Winners are chosen when the giveaway period comes to an end. You will learn whether you won a book from your profile page. There are no strict deadlines for submitting a review, though you are expected to deliver one as soon as possible. If 90 days after winning the book, you still haven’t written a review, it may count against you.
6. Write Book Reviews on Your Own Blog
A book review blog can be a great way to make money by reading books and also to help people learn more about topics related to your blog. Your readers will want to hear your honest opinion about the books you read and helpful tips on how they can find or purchase the book.
You could make money with affiliate links for Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other online stores. Additionally, you could share fun facts from the book or host an online discussion with thoughts, ideas, and questions that might help others learn more. Whatever your approach is, make sure it is helpful and entertaining!
If You’re Unfamiliar With Blogging and Affiliate Marketing, Here’s How It Works:
Blogging and affiliate marketing are great ways to make money online. It can be intimidating if you’re new to it – but don’t worry; it’s pretty straightforward.
- The first step is setting up your blog, where you’ll write content regularly.
- Then you sign up for programs offering affiliate links, which allow you to earn commissions each time someone clicks on them and makes a purchase.
- Finally, incorporate the affiliate links into your blog posts – after all, what good are they if no one knows they’re there?
With some dedication and patience, blogging and affiliate marketing can help you generate impressive passive income over the long term.
7. Get Paid To Translate Books
Do you love books and are fluent in more than one language? Why not get paid to translate books? There are dozens of opportunities to work at home and do this kind of job. Not only can you be the translator, but you can also proofread or edit translated documents too.
This is a great way to make an income from your skills in languages. You can find these book translation jobs on various websites and social networks, including:
Ulatus
Ulatus has created an opportunity for aspiring translators by providing translation services worldwide. Over 200,000 clients have already worked with Ulatus, thanks to their impressive network of 3000 language experts. Plus, being part of the Ulatus team comes with plenty of benefits like competitive compensation packages, flexible work schedule options, and access to cutting-edge technology.
Fiverr
Fiverr offers an array of amazing opportunities for freelance translators. On this platform, you can join a diverse global community to find exciting jobs ranging from automated translations to interpreting books in other languages. No matter your skillset, knowledgebase or language prowess, Fiverr has the perfect opportunity for you. You can list your translation services with ease and customize your prices.
Today Translations
Today Translations is searching for talented freelance translators who will help them take their services to the next level. Not only does this give language lovers a chance to hone their skills and earn some extra money, but it’s also a wonderful adventure to discover and connect with different cultures from all over the globe.
Flexjobs
FlexJobs is a fantastic resource for anyone looking to break into the remote work scene, as it has plenty of resources to offer and walks users through to find the job perfect for them. It does come with a price tag, but sometimes, you have to think of the investment as an investment in yourself.
The tools FlexJobs provides are top-notch – from organization processes to sorting and filtering opportunities that align with your skillset and experience. Plus, tailored newsletters provide extra helpful insight while sorting through job openings.
Whether you’re looking for full-time or part-time work with flexible hours or even freelance jobs, FlexJobs can help you get there quickly and without added stress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Get Paid To Read Books?
Many often dream of being able to get paid to read books. Although full-time employment from book reading is rare, there are a few ways to make extra money with books.
You could consider becoming a paid book reviewer because big companies often need reviewers to provide their reader’s honest feedback and insights on their products. Such an opportunity lets you gain valuable experience while still getting compensated.
What Company Will Pay You $200 To Read a Book?
WordsRated is offering $200 to those willing to put in the effort. All you need to do is read the books they assign and answer some questions afterward. Currently, it looks like applications are closed, but that won’t stop dedicated readers from checking the website for updates. So don’t give up on your dreams of being a professional bookworm just yet—a great opportunity like this may come around once more soon!
Does Amazon Pay You To Read?
You can make money reading books with Amazon’s Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX)! Not to mention, turn your love of books into a potential career. Who wouldn’t want to read for a living?
Through Audiobook Creation Exchange, Audible.com’s marketplace where authors, publishers and producers join forces to create audiobooks, you have 1,200 books at your fingertips, ready for audition.
And, even better – you have options to choose from when it comes to getting paid.
- If you’re looking for fast cash, then agree on a per-hour rate which you get paid once the audiobook is completed.
- Alternatively, picking the royalty share option means ongoing income, as your payment is based on the sales of that particular book. What are you waiting for?
Getting Started With Acx Is Simple!
- First, you create an online profile showcasing your background and experience.
- Then come the samples – show off your best vocal work by uploading some of your favorite recordings.
- You can decide how you’re paid – choose from Royalty Share, Pay Upfront, or a combination of both.
- The next step is auditioning for the audiobook that you’re interested in narrating – this may include recording a few minutes of the manuscript as part of the audition process.
- After that comes the exciting part: accepting an offer – set up delivery dates and payment terms here, then it’s time to start recording!
- Once finished, you get paid, and you’re all done!
Getting started with ACX doesn’t need to be complicated – follow these steps, and you’ll be well on your way to success!
Get The Most From Reading Books
As an avid reader, you don’t have to let your conscience nag you for spending so much time reading books. Make it a source of extra income. Express your opinion on the books you read and make money for it when your review is published.
Make use of your vivid imagination, and learn to design book covers. Employ your excellent grammar and spelling skills, which many book lovers have, and earn money on copyediting.
Have fun using your voice and making money reading them aloud as an audiobook narrator. At the very least, save money on books by getting a free copy of each book you review.
There’s nothing wrong with earning on your passion for something you do anyway in your free time.
Final Thoughts
So there you have it, seven ways you can get paid to read books! If you’re a bookworm like me, this is the perfect way to make some extra cash. And if you’re not a big reader, I encourage you to try one or two of these methods. You might be surprised at how much fun (and money) you can make by simply reading a few books!
