Are you passionate about reading books and looking for a way to get paid for it? Believe it or not, you can turn your love for books into a source of income.
Whether you enjoy curling up on the sofa with a novel, staying up late to finish the last chapters, or listening to audiobooks non-stop, there are opportunities for you to make money by doing something you already love.
There are legitimate websites and companies that pay you to read books aloud, as well as those that pay for book reviews. These are real jobs in the industry, many of which allow you to work from home, offering flexibility and convenience.
For those wondering if they can make a career out of reading books, the answer is yes! Some people do this as a full-time job, while others use it as a way to earn extra money on the side. The options are diverse, and the earning potential can vary based on the type of work you choose.
Whether your interest lies in horror, romance, fiction, nonfiction, or any other genre, there are opportunities available for you to get paid to read books.
This might sound too good to be true, which is why I’ve decided to delve into the details. In this article, I will explain how you can get paid to read books, highlight legitimate websites that offer these opportunities, and answer common questions about this unique way of making money. Get ready to discover how you can turn your passion for reading into a rewarding job.
15 Legitimate Ways To Get Paid To Read Books
Is there a job that pays you to read books? Yes! Below are 16 ways to get paid to read books.
1. Writing Book Reviews for Publishers Weekly
Reviewing books for PW, an industry magazine, has been a rewarding experience both intellectually and financially. Each review, typically around 180-200 words, earns me $25. My current schedule allows me to review one book every three weeks, a change from my previous pace of two books per month.
This flexibility accommodates my busy routine while still enabling me to engage with literature regularly. Additionally, the option to decline a book if it doesn’t interest me adds to the appeal of this gig, although I understand this may not be the case with every editor. Overall, this arrangement offers a balanced blend of flexibility and literary engagement.
2. Writing Book Reviews for Kirkus Reviews
The magazine also offers opportunities for freelance reviewers through its indie section, Kirkus Indie. Unlike PW, which focuses on traditionally published books, Kirkus Indie reviewers work with self-published books. Reviews are typically 350 words and must be submitted within two weeks of assignment.
The pay rate is $50 per review, with the potential to earn up to $75 for exceptional writing. For picture books, the rate is $40 for a 250-word review. Similar to PW, these reviews are published without a byline, maintaining the anonymity of the reviewer while still providing a platform for thoughtful literary critique.
3. Reviewing for Booklist
Booklist is a magazine geared toward librarians, frequently publishing reviews in both print and online formats. Like the other magazines mentioned, Booklist is always on the lookout for new reviewers.
For reviews ranging from 150 to 175 words, they offer a modest payment of $15, and even if you reject a book, you receive $5. The standout feature of Booklist is that the reviews are signed, allowing reviewers to have their byline attached to their work, whether it appears in print or online.
However, it’s worth noting that payment can sometimes be delayed if the review is slated for a later issue, but once it is published, payment is assured.
4. Writing Audiobook Reviews for AudioFile Magazine
AudioFile is a magazine dedicated to reviewing audiobooks, perfect for avid audiobook listeners looking to recommend the best new titles. Each month, reviewers are assigned a couple of audiobooks to review, with each review being about 100 words long.
The pay is $10 per review, disbursed twice a year, so it takes a while to receive payment. However, reviewers have the freedom to choose the genre they want to review, such as young adult, fantasy, classics, literary fiction, and more.
Reviews are signed with initials in both print and online versions, though the reviewer’s full name is not printed. Reviewing audiobooks requires a different approach, so it’s essential to read the magazine to become familiar with the style.
5. Writing Book Reviews for Online Book Club
This forum, which always accepts reviewers, is an excellent platform for those passionate about reading and sharing their opinions on books. Unlike a magazine or publication, it allows reviewers to choose their byline.
Payment varies per book, typically ranging from $5 to $60 per review, according to their website. “Reviewing books for the Online Book Club was a good experience because I got to read books and give my opinion about them, which I enjoyed,” says Yolimari Garcia, a former reviewer.
Reviewers can select books to review from a list, but higher-paying options are available only to those with a high reviewer score. Garcia reached level six, the highest, which also qualified her to be an editor.
Reviewers receive feedback and ratings based on the Review Team Guidelines, ensuring that high-quality reviews earn high scores, while lower-quality ones receive lower scores. Reviews may not be published if it’s evident that the writer did not read the book or follow the guidelines.
6. Start a book blog
Starting a blog offers the freedom to write about anything you choose and on your own schedule, making it an appealing side hustle. While earning an income as a blogger takes time, with dedication and consistent effort, it is possible to achieve a steady income.
As your blog grows, so too does its earning potential. One effective way to monetize your blog is through affiliate marketing, where you recommend products or services and earn a commission when readers make a purchase or sign up based on your recommendations.
Additionally, you can earn money through on-site advertising and paid guest posts.
7. Proofread books for money
If you already spend your spare time reading novels and non-fiction books, why not get paid for it? As a proofreader for authors, you can. You could potentially start proofreading books for money while still at university.
On sites like Fiverr, freelance book proofreaders advertise their services starting from around £4.20+ for a basic plan, which usually involves proofreading a small sample of text. For more extensive work, such as proofreading and editing entire books, fees can increase to £600 or more.
This job requires excellent attention to detail, a solid grasp of spelling and grammar, and the ability to meet tight deadlines, so being a quick reader is advantageous.
8. Become a book podcaster
By starting a podcast about literature, you could earn money by discussing your favorite stories and novels. If your podcast gains traction, there are various monetization options like advertising and sponsorship opportunities.
Although reaching this point requires significant time and effort, dedication to making your podcast successful can be rewarding. You can potentially earn around £15 or more per 1,000 downloads through advertising, with higher earnings for a very successful podcast.
However, there may be initial costs involved. To become a professional podcaster, you might eventually need to invest in audio recording equipment or rent a podcast studio. When starting out, it could be economical to record episodes on your phone.
As your audience grows, you can then consider upgrading to higher-quality equipment.
9. Get paid to narrate audiobooks
If getting paid to talk about books isn’t enough for you, consider taking it a step further and make money by reading books aloud as an audiobook narrator. Narrating audiobooks is similar to voice-over acting and can be a rewarding job if you have a knack for storytelling.
Having relevant experience can be beneficial; studying drama at university, working in student radio, volunteering as a book reader for charity, or similar activities can help develop your narration skills.
A good way to get started is by auditioning to narrate audiobooks through the ACX website, where audiobooks produced are sold on Audible, Amazon, and iTunes. Earnings vary depending on the agreement with the book’s author; you might receive a one-off payment or a share of the royalties.
10. Work as a book editor
Earlier, we mentioned proofreading as a way to make money from reading. Working as a book editor involves proofreading, but it usually extends beyond surface-level checks for typos to encompass the overall development and production of the book.
Book editing roles within publishing houses are typically full-time graduate positions, and having a degree in English Literature or a related field is advantageous. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a book editor in the UK is around £35,500.
11. Design book covers
Designing book covers is a creative and profitable way to make money from reading books. This job combines a passion for literature with artistic skills, allowing you to contribute to the visual appeal of books and attract readers.
The primary task of a book cover designer is to create an eye-catching cover that accurately reflects the book’s spirit and entices potential readers. This requires understanding the book’s genre, target audience, and key themes.
As a designer, you will work closely with authors, publishers, and marketing teams to ensure the cover aligns with the book’s content and marketing strategy. To succeed in this field, you need to be proficient in graphic design software such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
Strong creativity is crucial, as you must be able to envision unique and captivating designs. Understanding typography is also important since the choice of fonts can significantly impact the overall look and feel of the cover.
Additionally, keeping up with current design trends in the publishing industry ensures your designs remain modern and appealing. Good communication skills are essential for exchanging ideas and ensuring client satisfaction.
12. New Pages
New Pages is a website that specializes in book reviews and literary magazine reviews, catering to avid readers and literature enthusiasts. The site seeks concise yet substantive reviews, with a maximum length of 200 words.
This approach ensures that reviews are both brief and meaningful, providing readers with valuable insights without overwhelming them with too much information. Reviewers must distill the essence of a book or literary magazine into a few impactful sentences, highlighting key themes, strengths, and unique aspects.
By focusing on substance over length, New Pages maintains a high standard of quality in its reviews, making it a trusted resource for readers looking to discover new and noteworthy literary works.
13. BookBrowse
On BookBrowse, you can apply to become a book reviewer and potentially get paid to read books across various genres, including young adult, nonfiction, adult fiction, graphic novels, and fiction. This platform offers an opportunity for avid readers to turn their passion into a source of income.
BookBrowse book reviewers typically write one book review per month, providing thoughtful and insightful critiques that help guide fellow readers in their literary choices. This role not only allows reviewers to engage deeply with diverse literary works but also to contribute to a community of readers seeking high-quality recommendations.
14. Reedsy
With Reedsy Discovery, you have the opportunity to review hundreds of books before they are published and earn money simultaneously. Authors submit their books to Reedsy specifically to be reviewed by book reviewers like you.
After reviewing a book, you can get paid by readers who appreciate your insights and decide to buy the book. These payments come in the form of tips, which can be $1, $3, or $5, depending on the reader’s discretion.
This system allows you to monetize your love for reading while providing valuable feedback to authors and helping readers discover new and exciting books.
15. UpWork
With UpWork, you can create a profile and list yourself as a book reviewer, allowing clients and authors to find and hire you directly to read and review their books. As a freelance book reviewer on UpWork, you have the freedom to set your own pricing and choose which clients you want to work with, providing flexibility and control over your workload.
Profiles of book reviewers on UpWork show that rates can vary widely, with some charging anywhere from $15 an hour to $75 an hour. This platform offers a valuable opportunity to monetize your reading skills while building a diverse portfolio of reviewed books.
Frequently Asked Questions About How To Get Paid To Read Books
Below are common questions about how to get paid to read books online.
Can I earn money by reading books?
You can get paid to read books through many different jobs such as becoming a book reviewer, proofreader, narrator, translator, and more.
Can you get paid to read books aloud? Are there jobs that pay you to read books?
Yes, you can get paid to read books out loud. ACX by Amazon/Audible, which I will explain further down, will pay you to narrate books so they can be turned into audiobooks.
Findaway Voices is another audiobook voiceover site.
How much do book readers get paid?
Book readers can get paid varying amounts, depending on the type of book reading job they pursue and the hours invested in each job. Opportunities such as being a proofreader, voice-over actor for audiobooks, starting a book review blog, translating books, writing books, and finding a career in the industry can all potentially become full-time jobs with full-time incomes.
Payments can range from as little as $5 for reviewing a book to hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the nature of the work and the employer. For those interested in learning how to earn money by reading books online, exploring these various roles can be a great option, offering both flexibility and the potential for significant income.
Can you make a living reading books? Can I get paid to read books?
Yes, you can make a living reading books, but not all book reading jobs are full-time positions. Some opportunities may simply require you to read a book and write a review, while others may demand an application, resume, and writing samples.
Because of these varying requirements, many book reading jobs might be better suited as side hustles rather than full-time careers. This flexibility allows you to pursue your passion for reading and earn money on the side, making it an attractive option for those looking to supplement their income without committing to a full-time job.
How much do you get paid for reading audiobooks?
The amount that you can get paid to read audiobooks will vary. It may be anywhere from around $1,000 to over $5,000 per book.
How can I get paid $200 to read books? What company will pay you $200 to read a book?
If you aim to make $200 a month by reading books, there are several options available to you. You could start by reviewing books online, where websites pay for thoughtful and engaging reviews. Proofreading books is another avenue, allowing you to earn money by ensuring texts are error-free and polished.
Additionally, you can learn how to get paid to read books aloud, a growing market thanks to the popularity of audiobooks. For those proficient in multiple languages, becoming a freelance translator for books can be a lucrative option.
Starting your own blog dedicated to book reviews and literary content can also generate income through ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored posts. Writing your own books offers the potential for royalties and long-term earnings.
If you’re looking for stability, consider finding a full-time job in the book industry, such as in publishing, editing, or literary agencies. Each of these paths can help you reach your goal of making $200 a month from your passion for reading.