Imagine curling up on the sofa with a good book — and getting paid to read it! Yes you can get paid to read books in your spare time. Today you’ll learn how to make extra money from your passion.
Companies want to pay you to write book reviews, edit books, or read books aloud.
Whether you’re looking for a part-time side hustle, or you want to earn enough money to replace your 9-5 job, there are tons of different ways to make money by doing something you love.
In my list below, you’ll find legitimate websites that will pay you to write book reviews, freelance opportunities to make money reading books, and book-related business ideas that you can start today.
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Table of Contents
1. Become a proofreader
You can make money proofreading books that haven’t been published yet.
As a proofreader, you’ll handle the final step in the publishing process, which involves correcting grammar, spelling, and punctuation mistakes.
If you have an eagle eye for spotting common errors in books, such as using “they’re” instead of “their”, then proofreading can be a great fit for you.
No matter how good an author or editor is, proofreaders will always be in high demand.
You just need a laptop or tablet with an internet connection to get started making money as a freelance proofreader.
My friend Caitlin Pyle from Proofread Anywhere is one of the most successful proofreaders I know.
Check out here free workshop for proofreaders to help you decide if this is the right money-making opportunity for you.
2. Start a book blog and make money online
Starting a blog can be a great way to make money by sharing your love of books with the world.
On your book blog, you can share book recommendations, write book reviews, and create other book-related content for your audience.
The first step is to decide which book genre(s) you’d like to write about on your blog. You can write about a variety of different genres, but focusing on a specific niche can help you stand out from the crowd.
For example, a book blog that focuses only on crime books, or a book blog that focuses only on fiction for young adults. Choose the genre(s) that you enjoy reading.
The next step is to set up your blog. If you want to make money blogging, you’ll need to pay for web hosting, such as through Bluehost.
This is the most popular (and affordable) web host for new bloggers, and it’s officially recommended by WordPress.org (which is the platform I use for this blog).
You can head to my easy step-by-step guide here on how to start your blog.
Once you’ve set up your blog, which only takes about 10-15 minutes to do, you can start writing content and driving traffic to your website.
There are a few different ways you can make money from your book blog.
Display ads – As your readership grows, you can apply to ad networks such as Raptive or Mediavine. This will display ads on your website that make you money.
The more pageviews your blog receives, the more money you’ll make with display ads.
Affiliate marketing – This is the best way for new bloggers to make money because you don’t need a ton of traffic to get started. You just need some loyal readers.
Affiliate marketing is when you recommend a product or service to your readers by sharing an affiliate link. If someone clicks through the link and buys the product, you’ll earn a commission.
Amazon Associates is a popular affiliate for book bloggers because there’s a lot of books and audiobooks sold there.
Sponsored Content – You can make money by partnering with an author or publishing house to write a sponsored blog post.
Sell your own book – If you’re an author, you can sell your e-book directly through your blog.
3. Start a podcast about books
Just like blogging, starting a podcast can be a great way to get paid to read books.
You can start your own podcast, grab a co-host, or become an assistant for an existing book podcast.
On your podcast, you can discuss your favorite books or the book that you’re currently reading.
Once your podcast builds a following, you can make money with ads, sponsorships, affiliate marketing, or get Patreon support.
4. Kirkus Media
Kirkus Reviews is an American book review magazine that was founded in 1933. They are considered the gold standard of book reviews.
Kirkus Media is looking to hire people like you to review English and Spanish-language books for Kirkus Indie.
Each book review should be about 350 words and are due two weeks after the book is assigned. Kirkus reviews nearly all genres for books of all lengths.
To apply, you’ll need to submit your resume, writing samples, and a list of reviewing specialities.
5. Booklist
Booklist is part of the American Library Association, and their reviews help guide school and public library workers in purchasing and suggesting books.
Booklist is looking for freelancers to write brief but impactful book reviews, around 150-175 words in length. The review should share a summary of the plot, suggest the ideal audience, and offer readalikes.
Booklist pays $15 for each review, and the average reviewer writes two to three reviews per month.
6. Online Book Club
You won’t get rich from writing book review for Online Book Club, but it can be a great way to make some extra pocket money.
For your first review, you will just be given the book for free. After that, you’ll be eligible for paid review opportunities.
Most book reviews will pay between $5-$60 per review.
7. UpWork
UpWork is an online marketplace where freelancers can connect with businesses to get paid work.
To get started, you’ll need to create a free profile on UpWork, that includes your work history and skills.
Then you can use the website to find book review jobs or talk to one of their recruiters who can find work opportunities for you.
As a freelance book reviewer on UpWork, you’ll get to set your own pricing and decide which projects you want to work on.
UpWork charges a 10% freelancer service fee on your earnings, so keep this in mind when sharing your rates.
8. Share your thoughts on BookTok
BookTok is a subcommunity on the TikTok app that focuses on books and literature. Readers on BookTok make videos on the platform that review, recommend, and discuss the books.
To make money on BookTok, you’ll need to create an account that’s focused on book reviews. You can join the TikTok Creator Fund, which typically pays between $20 and $40 for one million views.
Once your videos start gaining popularity, you can also work with brands and get paid to create sponsored videos.
Most creators on BookTok don’t make a lot of money, but some of the top creators are earning thousands of dollars per video.
Alternatively, you can share your thoughts on the Bookstagram community. This is similar to BookTok, except you’ll be sharing photos and videos of books on Instagram.
9. The U.S. Review of Books
The U.S. Review of Books is one of the leading book review publications. It connects authors with professional reviewers to help get their book in front of thousands of people who subscribe to their monthly book review.
Each review consists of 250-350 words, which should summarize the books and reveal any insights drawn from the reading.
You’ll get paid monthly for every review completed during the previous month. To apply, you’ll need to send your resume, sample work, and at least two professional references.
10. Reedsy Discovery
With Reedsy Discovery, you’ll get the chance to review the latest self-published books before anyone else.
Once you’ve built up a brand on Reedsy, authors may contact you directly for a review.
As a book reviewer, you’ll get paid tips for your book review. Readers can send $1, $3, or $5 as a token of their appreciation.
11. BookBrowse
BookBrowse reviews both adult fiction and nonfiction, including some books for young adults.
Reviewers write about one book review per month, which includes a “beyond the book” article for each book they review. They will receive a byline and modest payment.
Most BookBrowse reviewers are USA based, but they are open to reviewers overseas. To apply, you’ll need to send a sample review that’s at least 300 words.
12. Publisher’s Weekly
Publisher’s Weekly is the international news website of book publishing and bookselling.
You’ll get paid $25-$75 per book review. To get started, you can send your resume and a sample review (approximately 200 words) of a recently published book review to their website.
13. ACX (Audiobook Creative Exchange)
ACX is an online marketplace where authors, literary agents, and publishers can connect with narrators to produce an audiobook.
You can make money by narrating books or referring Audible users to record their books through the Bounty Referral Program.
As the narrator, you’ll be recording and mastering the audio product from start to finish. You can use the resources available on ACX to help you do this.
Once everything has been finalized, it will be distributed via Amazon’s Audible and iTunes.
If you choose to get paid by the finished hour, you’ll receive your payment now. If you choose royalty share, you’ll get paid monthly for any sales of your audiobook.
14. Findaway Voices
Findaway Voices is similar to ACX, where authors find narrators to create audiobooks for them.
To get started, you’ll need to create a narrator’s profile on Findaway Voices. Then you can check out the job opportunities they have available and bid on the ones that interest you. You’ll also get to set your own rates.
15. Voices
Voices is a popular online marketplace to hire voice actors, which posts more than 5,000 jobs per month.
To get started recording audiobooks, you’ll need to create a free profile and upload demos of your best work. If you choose to upgrade to a Premium Membership, you’ll get to create packages and audition for job opportunities.
Once you’ve been hired and your work has been completed, you’ll get paid via PayPal.
16. Translate books
If you’re fluent in a foreign language, you can get paid to read and translate books into another language from home.
Below are some of the best websites to find book translation jobs:
Alternatively, you can also get paid to proofread books in another language. This can be a great way to make extra money.
17. Design book covers
If you love reading, you can make money by designing book covers for authors.
You can upload your book cover designs to a site like The Book Cover Designer and get paid a flat rate of 70% per sale.
This means if you sell a cover for $100, you’ll receive $70. You get to set the price of your book cover.
Or you can try advertising your skills on sites like Fiverr or UpWork.
18. Start an online book club
Starting an online book club can be a great way to get paid to read books. This allows you to connect with others who share your love of reading from all over the world.
There are a few different ways you can make money with an online book club:
Membership fees – You can charge a monthly or annual fee that members pay in order to join your book club.
Sponsorships – You can partner with bookstores, publishers, or other businesses related to literature to help you make money. Sometimes sponsors will also provide your book club members with exclusive discounts or special offers.
Donations – Once your book clubs gains popularity, you may receive donations from members or supporters. This can help cover the expenses to help grow your book club.
Affiliate marketing – You can earn a commission by promoting books, ebooks, audiobooks, and other book related items to your members through affiliate links.
Events – You can make money by hosting events or workshops, such as online panel discussions, books fairs, or book reading sessions.
19. Become a literary agent
A literary agent is someone who helps writers get their stories published as books. They read many different stories and find the best one to present to a potential publisher.
As a literary agent, you’ll get paid based on commissions (15%-20%) when you’ve sold a writer’s book or film rights. The percentage is usually higher for translations and foreign sales.
One of the best ways to become a literary agent is to start working with one. You can assist a professional agent at a talent agency or independent publishing house.
This can be a great way to make connections, network with all the necessary players in the industry, and become familiar with the publishing process.
20. Become a book editor
Similar to proofreading, a book editor can be both a career and freelance option.
Editing happens BEFORE proofreading. This means you’ll work with the author to reorder and organize the contents of the book. It may involve deleting chunks of material or help make the copy flow and read better.
The top 10% of book editors earn over $120,000 a year, while the bottom 10% earn about $33,000 a year.
The best way to become a book editor is to gain experience by working at a publishing house as an assistant so you can start building your portfolio.
This can also help you decide what type of editing you’d like to specialize in, such as line editing, copy editing, or developmental editing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I earn money reading books?
Yes, there are tons of different ways to make money reading books. The most popular ways include becoming a proofreader or book editor, reading books aloud, starting a book blog or podcast, sharing your thoughts on TikTok or Instagram, writing book reviews, or becoming a literary agent.
What company will pay you $200 to read a book?
WordRated hired people to read books and take notes on specific details. You earned $200 cash for each book you read and analyzed.
Unfortunately, all the positions for this job have been filled, and there are currently no plans to reopen this position.
Is there a job where you can get paid to read books?
Yes, there are several jobs where you can get paid to read books. This includes becoming a proofreader, editor, translator, narrator, book reviewer, and more.
Does Audible pay you to read books?
Yes, you can work with Audible, which is the most popular membership service for audiobooks. Audible will pay you to narrate books through ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), which is a platform that connects authors and publishers with narrators.
