Home Writing & Editing Gigs Get Paid to Read Books
July 14, 2023
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Jessica is a writer for SideHustles.com. Her side hustles include freelance academic writing and editing, which she's done for 10+ years, as well as math and EFL tutoring, both on online platforms and in person.
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NoIf you’re the type of person who often reads for pleasure, why not turn your passion into profit? There are many different kinds of side hustles that will pay you to read books, meaning you get to enjoy your favorite pastime while earning extra money—and probably get free books to boot.
We’ve found 6 gigs that will pay you to read books and 10 companies that will pay you to review books or do other reading-related work.
You can get paid to narrate, edit, or review books
Check out these 5 ways to make money from reading:
An audiobook narrator is someone who reads books aloud for audio recordings.
All you really need for audiobook narration is the right kind of voice, plus great diction and pronunciation. Your voice should be strong, clear, and expressive, and you should be able to maintain it over time.
This gig has a lot in common with starting a voice acting side hustle. If you want to work from home (as opposed to renting a studio), you’ll need certain equipment, like a microphone (ideally with a pop filter), a computer, and a quiet room for recording. If you can soundproof a spare room or your home office, that’s perfect.
The pay for audiobook narration is extremely variable. On platforms like Upwork, rates for narrators range from $28 all the way up to $480. As a newcomer to the field, you’ll probably have to start on the low end and work your way up.
Try general freelancing job boards like Upwork or Fiverr, as well as dedicated audiobook platforms like ACX and Findaway Voices.
As an audiobook narrator, you probably won’t actually be paid by the hour. You may receive a one-off payment, a fee per “finished hour” (where you’re paid for the total number of hours the audiobook lasts, as opposed to the time you spend recording), or a share of the audiobook royalties.
A proofreader is someone who carefully reviews written content for accuracy and consistency in terms of grammar, punctuation, spelling, and formatting. Some proofreaders specialize in book manuscripts.
There are many proofreading certifications you can get that will give you a boost, although you don’t absolutely need any of them to land jobs. You do need a knack for spelling and grammar and a computer with an internet connection.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites an average hourly rate of $21.12 for proofreaders and copy markers (who have very similar roles).
Again, general freelancer sites like Upwork and Fiverr are a good place to start if you have no little or no relevant experience. To find more gigs proofreading book manuscripts, you can also offer your services to self-published authors or publishing companies (look for job listings on sites like Indeed).
To find clients in the publishing industry, you can also join professional copyediting and proofreading associations (e.g., the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Editorial Freelancers Association, or ACES). These often have job boards or directories with freelance proofreading opportunities. They’re also helpful for networking in general.
A translator is someone who converts written content from one language (the source language) into another (the target language).
You don’t need a certification or license to be a translator, but you obviously need to speak at least one other language fluently. You’ll also need great spelling and grammar in your target language (i.e., in English, if this is the language you’ll be translating into) and must have a computer with an internet connection.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics cites an average hourly rate of $29.68 for translators and interpreters.
Babelcube, TranslatorsCafe, and Translate.com are all platforms where translators can connect with authors and publishers who need their services. As usual, you can also try freelancer sites like Upwork or Fiverr (which are ideal if you have no little or no relevant experience) or general job sites like Indeed, Monster, and ZipRecruiter.
Book influencers are people who read and review books, then try to inspire others to read them. They use social media platforms to share their reviews, opinions, and recommendations.
Theoretically, anyone who can read can become a book influencer. That said, if you want to make real money from it, you need to build a large following and master the art of creating irresistible content. To do this, you’ll need to be likable, charismatic, and have a knack for writing or for recording videos.
The amount you can make as a book influencer depends entirely on the size of your audience. In the beginning, you won’t make much money at all, but if your content really takes off, you can make thousands of dollars per month.
You probably won’t be able to find traditional jobs or gigs as a book influencer. Instead, you’ll have to create and monetize your own content on a blog, Spotify (with a podcast), YouTube, TikTok, or other social media channels.
To monetize your book-related content, you can use tools like Google AdSense, Media.net, and the Amazon Associates program for affiliate marketing (which is where you place unique referral links or codes in your content; these will earn you commissions when people use them to buy books).
A book reviewer is someone who reads books and shares their thoughts and opinions on what they’ve read. Most book reviews are written (e.g., as personal blog posts, social media posts, or reviews on book-related websites), but reviewers can also use other mediums, such as audio or video.
You don’t need any specific qualifications to write book reviews, just a computer with an internet connection.
Many websites that accept book reviews pay around $60 for them. There are much higher-paying gigs writing for national newspapers and other high-profile publications, but these are usually only accessible if you’re an established literary critic.
The sites and publications that will pay you to write book reviews include Online Book Club, Reedsy Discovery, Kirkus Media, and the US Review of Books. We’ll write about these sites in more detail in the section below.
You may also be able to find gigs on the general job boards we’ve already mentioned (e.g., Indeed, Monster, and Upwork).
You may need to send a pitch or a sample review to your chosen publication before you can start writing book reviews for them. To attract more opportunities, work on building a portfolio of your writing work. You should also network within the book-reviewing community (e.g., by joining relevant social media groups).
A beta reader is someone who reads a book manuscript before it’s published. When it comes to fiction, this means providing feedback on the plot, characters, pacing, and the overall reader experience. Beta readers help authors refine their work.
A sensitivity reader is similar, but they specialize in offering feedback on sensitive topics within a manuscript, such as anything related to diversity, culture, or mental health. The idea is to help authors address sensitive topics appropriately, avoid harmful stereotypes, and write more inclusively.
It’s easier to find people willing to pay for beta or sensitivity reads if you’re already established in an online writing community (e.g., on Twitter or Instagram). For sensitivity reading, you should focus on something you have personal experience with.
Some online sources suggest you can expect an hourly rate of $18 as a beta reader and much the same rate as a sensitivity reader. Upwork cites a higher hourly rate of $40 for professional beta reading services.
To find beta reading opportunities, check out websites like Goodreads and Wattpad, which provide platforms for connecting with authors in need of beta readers. You can also try networking via online writing communities or social media groups.
Many companies will pay you to proofread, review, or summarize books
If any of the side hustle ideas listed above sound good to you, then the next step is to look for your first paid gig. Check out these 10 opportunities to get paid for reading books:
The U.S. Review of Books is a reputable contemporary publication that features independent book reviews. It’s run by professional reviewers and editors, and it provides a platform for writers to share their thoughts and opinions on books.
The U.S. Review of Books accepts 250–300-word reviews from freelance book reviewers. The review has to include a summary of the book, plus your own thoughts on it.
To submit a review for publication, you have to send the editor a resume, a sample of your work, and at least two professional references. You can email all of this to editor@theUSreview.com.
Rates: The U.S. Review of Books website doesn’t clearly indicate the rates it pays, but some sources suggest it pays $25–$75 per book review.
Kirkus Reviews is a popular magazine that features unbiased book reviews. It’s considered a good source of information for readers, authors, libraries, and anyone in the publishing industry. It reviews books of all lengths in nearly all genres.
Kirkus Indie is the section of the magazine that’s dedicated to self-published authors. It often accepts submissions from freelance writers and reviewers.
You can pitch a book review to Kirkus Indie by submitting your resume, writing samples (although they don’t specify how many of these you should send in), and a list of reviewing specialties (e.g., literary fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, or other genres). You can do this by emailing them to Kirkus Indie Editor David Rapp at drapp@kirkus.com.
If your pitch is accepted, you’ll have to write a review of about 350 words. It will be due two weeks after you’re assigned the book.
Rates: The Kirkus website doesn’t mention how much they pay per review; reports suggest that the rate is around $50–$75 per article.
Publishers Weekly is an international news website for those who work in the book trade (e.g., publishers, booksellers, librarians, and literary agents). It publishes book reviews along with other articles and features on various topics, such as book releases, author interviews, industry events, and market trends.
Publishers Weekly’s reviews cover many categories and genres of books, including fiction, children’s books, comics, poetry, and more.
Their jobs page sometimes has opportunities for freelancers to write book reviews for them. Check regularly for openings if you’re interested in writing for them.
The usual process for application is to send a resume and a 200-word sample review of a recently published book to reviewers@publishersweekly.com.
Rates: Online reports suggest that $25 per review is Publishers Weekly’s normal rate.
Booklist Online is a book review magazine that’s published by the American Library Association (an organization that represents librarians and library professionals in the US). The magazine is aimed at school and public libraries, library users, and book lovers.
As well as book reviews, Booklist features recommendations for adult and children readers, author interviews, thematic lists, and in-depth articles about the world of books and literature.
Booklist sometimes has opportunities for freelance book reviewers (although they say you need to be familiar with both books and libraries to write for them). To apply, see the instructions on how to write reviews for Booklist, which provides more information on their requirements and links to the application form for new reviewers.
Your review should be 150 to 175 words in length, and Booklist specifies that it should “place each work in context, provide a synopsis of plot and other appeal, suggest the ideal audience, and offer readalikes.”
Rates: Booklist pays $15 per review.
BookBrowse is a digital magazine for book lovers. It features book reviews of adult fiction and nonfiction, and some books for young adults. It also has articles, author interviews, recommendations, exclusive previews of notable books, and resources for book clubs.
To apply, use the reviewer application form (which also has instructions on how to write reviews for BookBrowse). Note that you will have to submit two sample reviews of at least 300 words.
Rates: The BookBrowse website says that reviewers receive a “modest payment,” but they don’t specify how much.
Online Book Club is an online community for book lovers. The site publishes book reviews, author interviews, and literary discussions. There are also forums for readers and opportunities for members to participate in book giveaways and sweepstakes, try out various reading challenges, and take part in other activities.
To become a book reviewer for Online Book Club, sign up on their website. They don’t specify how many words you’ll need to produce if you’re selected to write a review for them, but most of the reviews on their site are several hundred words long.
Rates: According to the Online Book Club website, most payouts are $5–$60 per review.
Unlike the other entries in this list, the Women’s Review of Books is a print publication—a feminist literary journal that publishes feature essays and book reviews with a focus on women. Its reviews are primarily of women’s and gender studies scholarship, as well as fiction, poetry, and memoirs by women.
They don’t specify how many words you’ll have to write for their reviews, but it probably won’t be more than 1,000 words (as most book reviews are shorter than this).
If you’d like to pitch a review idea to them, they recommend emailing it to info@oldcitypublishing.com.
Rates: According to online reports, they pay $100 per review.
BookWritten is a book-focused online publication featuring reviews along with book recommendations, book-related articles and listicles, author interviews, and other content about the literary world.
If you’re interested in writing for them, they suggest emailing praddep@bookwritten.com to introduce yourself and tell them about your love for reading and writing. They also say that you should name a few of your favorite books, and if possible, share some of your own online content.
Rates: BookWritten says they pay their freelance writers, but they don’t specify how much.
Instaread is somewhat different from the other sites and publications we’ve discussed so far. It’s an app that breaks books down into small, bite-sized summaries accompanied by analyses of key concepts and themes. People can use Instaread to get a quick overview of a book’s main ideas and decide if they want to read it.
As such, this isn’t actually a review-writing gig. Instead, you have to read a book, write a summary, and analyze key details. The total word count should be 1,375–1,500 words.
To apply, check the list of titles that Instaread wants covered. Note that the list of titles may vary, and there were no titles on it at the time of writing, but it’s still worth checking back for updates.
Rates: User comments on online communities suggest that Instaread pays $100 per summary.
Writerful Books is an Australian company that offers affordable book editing and other similar services, such as beta and sensitivity reading. It hires freelancers from many other countries, including the US.
Their website says that they’re looking for book reviewers and beta readers. If you’re interested in either of these gigs, Writerful Books suggests contacting them through their website and telling them about yourself.
Rates: Writerful Books reportedly pays $10–$50 per review.
Your reading habit could be the perfect inspiration for your new side hustle
If you’re the bookish type, the perks of a side hustle that involves reading are obvious. With all of the side hustles listed above:
That said, getting paid to read isn’t a perfect gig; if it was, everyone who liked books would do it. As you’ve probably gathered, it isn’t the highest-paid work out there.
Reading a book and writing a solid review of it takes time and effort, and the kinds of payouts you can realistically expect ($60 or so) aren’t particularly high. It’s possible to turn your love of reading into a more lucrative side hustle, but it will take time, a lot of dedication, and a bit of luck.
If you love reading but the jobs listed above sound like too much work for too little reward, here are a few more side hustles you can investigate:
Some of these positions will have rigid hours, which makes them less suitable for side hustles, but you may also be able to scale them down by looking for a remote version of the role.
In particular, you can become a virtual assistant for someone who works in publishing (or even an author or another book reviewer) to dip your toes in the literary world without making too big of a commitment.
