Do you love reading books? If so, you’ll be happy to hear that you can actually get paid to do it!
If you enjoy diving into a good book and can write a solid review, this could be the perfect side gig for you.
How to become a book reviewer
You’re probably wondering: How do you become a book reviewer? Do you need a certain degree, certification, or any special training?
Luckily, becoming a book reviewer is simpler than you might think. First, you need to really enjoy reading. If you spend a lot of time at the library or often visit bookstores to find books by your favorite authors, you’re on the right track. Loving books and reading a lot are the main things you need to get started as a book reviewer.
You also need to be a good writer. After reading the book, you’ll need to write a review. Follow the guidelines given by the editorial team. Editors are often busy, so they value reviewers who can write clear, focused, and unbiased reviews. Avoid giving away any spoilers or discussing plot twists.
Additionally, when you’re looking for book review jobs, it helps to have a few things ready: a sample book review, a resume or CV, and a link to your website or blog. Some companies might ask for one or all of these, so keep them handy when you apply. If you want to focus on book reviews, it’s a good idea to keep all your reviews in one place. This way, publishers and authors can easily see your work and decide if you’re right for them.
How much do book reviewers make?
Reading a book takes time, and writing a review also needs effort and focus. So, you might be curious about how much you can earn as a book reviewer.
Book reviewers don’t have a set pay rate. According to Career Trend, you might get nothing but a free book, or you could earn up to $300 per review from major publishers. Reviewers who work full-time for a publisher usually have a more stable income.
Being a book reviewer isn’t always a great way to make money, and it doesn’t guarantee a steady income. It’s a fun side job for people who love reading, but it probably won’t cover big expenses like your mortgage.
Top Publishers That Pay You For Book Reviews
Now let’s go over the list of publishers that hire book reviewers. We’ll cover how much they pay, what they expect from reviewers, and what it’s like to work with them.
1. Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is a weekly magazine that covers news about the publishing world. They review books in many genres, such as children’s books, mystery/thrillers, religion, lifestyle, and nonfiction. They accept books from both self-published and traditionally-published authors. If you want to work with Publishers Weekly, you need to send them your resume and a 200-word sample review. Reviewers get paid, but the exact amount is not shared publicly.
2. Any Subject Books
Any Subject Books is a website that offers honest and straightforward book reviews. To ensure this, they use a standard form for reviewers to fill out, covering aspects like style, characters, and plot. They also send reviewers books in their preferred genres. Deadlines for reviews are agreed upon between the reviewer and the site, and payment depends on the specifics of each review.
3. Booklist Online
Booklist is run by the American Review Association and helps readers find great books worth their time. With over 8,000 books listed, they always need new reviewers. They cover a wide range of books, including fiction, nonfiction, and young adult. You can write a review of 175 to 225 words and earn $15 for each approved review. Just be sure to follow the editorial guidelines to avoid rejection.
4. Women’s Review of Books
If you enjoy reading books by women authors for women readers, working at Women’s Review of Books could be a great fit for you. This publication has been around for thirty years, reviewing various types of writing, such as poetry, fiction, and memoirs.
To apply, send in one of your top book reviews along with your resume. You’ll get paid $100 for each approved book review. You’ll also receive a PDF copy of the issue with your review and a one-year subscription to the magazine.
5. The U.S. Review of Books
Another well-known book review site is the U.S Review of Books. They hire freelance reviewers to write professional and unbiased reviews. The site covers a wide range of genres and wants reviews that focus on the book itself rather than the author. Reviews should be about 250-300 words long and follow the Chicago Manual of Style. Payment details aren’t shared, but it’s usually done by check on a monthly basis.
6. Foreword Reviews
Foreword Reviews is a company that offers summaries and reviews from independent authors and publishers. Their team of reviewers includes published authors, librarians, and teachers, all with different backgrounds.
When you write reviews for Foreword Reviews, you get to keep the books they send you. You can pick which books you want to read and review. They also pay $55 for each review. Plus, you have a full month to finish each one.
7. eBookFairs
Another option is eBookFairs. They have a program called Paid Book Reader where you can earn money by writing reviews of the books listed on their site.
eBookFairs has simple rules for writing book reviews. Reviews should be at least 200 words and offer helpful feedback for authors. You can find more details about their guidelines here.
They have clear rules for paying their reviewers. Visit their website to find out how much you can make for each review and learn the steps you need to follow to get paid.
8. Reader’s Favorite
Reader’s Favorite is a popular site for book reviews and contests. It helps authors find reviewers for their books. They already have over 1,000 reviewers but are always looking for more skilled and enthusiastic reviewers. If you enjoy writing and want to support both readers and authors, Reader’s Favorite is a great place for you.
Reader’s Favorite only reviews digital books. To join their team, you need to be okay with reading and reviewing books in digital format. The upside is that you can earn money and win cash prizes just by reading and reviewing these books.
9. Online Book Club
Online Book Club is a well-known site for book reviews. Signing up is simple: just create an account, choose a book you’d like to read and review, and get started. Your first review won’t be paid, but after that, you can earn between $5 and $60 for each review you write, along with a free copy of the book. Plus, for every 30 reviews you complete, you’ll receive a $25 Amazon gift card.
10. Reedsy Discovery
If you want to read new books before they’re officially released, joining Reedsy Discovery can help you get paid to read books online. Reedsy has a large collection of self-published books, so you’re likely to find ones you enjoy. You won’t earn much initially—just small tips from authors ($1, $3, or $5). However, as you gain experience and build your reputation as a reviewer, you can start getting paid directly by authors for your reviews.
11. Upwork
Upwork is a well-known website where you can find jobs in various fields. Though it’s commonly linked to freelance work like graphic design and virtual assistance, you might be surprised to find that authors and publishers also use it to post book review jobs. For example:
To get started, sign up as a freelancer on Upwork. In your profile, include any experience you have with book reviewing. This might be writing reviews for blogs, magazines, or other places. Also, add a portfolio with examples of your work, like book reviews or analyses. After setting up your account, you can begin bidding on book review projects that catch your interest.
How much money you can earn reviewing books on Upwork depends on the project and the client. Some clients pay you by the hour, while others pay a set amount for each project. If you do well, you might get opportunities for long-term work with authors or publishing companies.
12. Kirkus Media
Kirkus Media frequently hires book reviewers, so it’s a good idea to apply there first. When you apply, be sure to mention any related experience you have, as this could improve your chances of getting noticed.
Once you’re in, you’ll have access to thousands of books from various genres. You can read these books and write a 350-word review for each one. The site doesn’t list the payment rates, but you’ll receive your payment by check 60 days after your review is approved.
13. Book Browse
Book Browse is a real company that hires people to read and review books. Their goal is to help readers find great books by publishing reviews. To become a book reviewer for Book Browse, you need to fill out a short online form and submit two sample book reviews. The company pays a small fee and gives reviewers a credit for their work. However, most reviewers only get to review one book per month.
Get Paid To Read Books: Is Being a Book Reviewer Worth It?
If you want to get paid to read books, start by checking out these nine places where you might find book review jobs. Some pay better than others, but you should also think about the types of books they offer. For example, if you love romance novels, you might not enjoy reading memoirs. To make your job more enjoyable, look for book reviewer positions that let you read the kinds of books you like best.
Being a book reviewer is a fantastic way to get paid for reading books. You’re doing what you love and earning money at the same time. However, it doesn’t pay very well, so it’s best to keep it as a side job rather than relying on it as your main source of income.