Want to get paid to read books? You’re in luck.
With the rise of self-published books and a constant flow of new titles from publishers weekly, there’s never been a better time to review books for money.
Whether you’re interested in book review jobs or branching into other voice-over work, this guide has you covered.
I’ll delve into how much book reviewers get paid and explore opportunities to read books for money—even if you’re focused on titles in English.
Let’s dive in.
11 Ways To Get Paid To Read Books
If you’re an avid reader who’s always wanted to monetize your love for books, check out these 10 ways to achieve that:
Write book (and audiobook) reviews for websites.
Narrate audiobooks.
Pitch book reviews directly to websites and publications.
Become a freelance on Upwork.
Become a professional proofreader.
Become a critique partner.
Become an acquisitions editor.
Become a sensitivity reader.
Find other careers in the publishing industry.
Start a book review blog.
Become a book influencer and earn from affiliate programs.
Let’s explore these various options where you can get paid to read and review books.
1. Write Book (and Audiobook) Reviews for Websites.
Book reviewing isn’t just for critics in high towers. The internet allows freelance writers to get paid to write book reviews.
It’s a twofer: you read, share your honest review, and get paid. Sometimes, you can even get a free copy of the book they want you to review.
Plus, with the rise of self-published authors, there’s more demand than ever for reviews that can make or break a book during the publishing process.
Here are some platforms to check out for aspiring book reviewers.
Amazon Reviews
Amazon allows you to write reviews for books and get paid through their Amazon Vine program. This program allows you to become an Amazon product tester.
Pay
You’re usually paid in the form of Amazon gift cards or discounts, rather than cash.
Pros
Wide range of books
Easy to get started
Builds credibility as a reviewer
Cons
Payment not in cash
Limited to Amazon’s platform
AudioFile
AudioFile is a go-to platform for audiobook enthusiasts. It specializes in audiobook reviews and offers a unique niche for those who love listening to books.
Pay: Up to $50 per review
Pros:
Specializes in audiobooks
Offers free copies for review
Cons:
Requires professional references
Limited to audiobooks
Book Browse
Book Browse offers a wide array of genres and is perfect for those who love diving into different kinds of stories.
Pay: $5-$60 per review
Pros:
Wide range of genres, including young adult and adult fiction
Provides book summaries for easier reviewing
Cons:
Pay varies widely
Requires writing samples
Booklist Publications
Booklist is a well-respected platform that is also a part of the American Library Association. It publishes traditional reviews, making it a great fit for those who appreciate a more formal writing style.
Pay: $15 per review
Pros:
Reviews are traditionally published
Covers graphic novels and other unique genres
Opportunity to help public library workers
Cons:
Lower pay
Requires a specific writing style
Book Review Blogs
Book review blogs are platforms where you can write detailed reviews of books you’ve read. These blogs often cover a wide range of genres and styles.
Pay
The pay varies depending on the blog, but you can expect anywhere from $10 to $50 for your freelance book reviews.
Pros
Flexibility in choosing books
Creative freedom in writing style
Opportunity to build a portfolio
Cons
Pay can be inconsistent
May require sample work and two professional references
eBook fairs
eBookFairs focuses primarily on e-books, making it a great platform for digital book lovers.
Pay: $10 to $25 per review
Pros:
Great for book lovers
Offers freelance jobs
Cons:
Lower pay
Mostly focuses on e-books
Get Abstract
Get Abstract is unique in that it pays for book summaries rather than writing book reviews themselves, which is ideal for those who love condensing information.
Pay: $20 per summary
Pros:
You write book summaries, not reviews
Quick turnaround
Cons:
Not traditional book reviewing
Limited to non-fiction
Instaread
Instaread offers high pay and focuses on a limited range of genres, making it suitable for specialized reviewers.
Pay: $100 per review
Pros:
High pay
Offers free copies of books
Cons:
Requires professional references
Limited genres
Kirkus Reviews
Kirkus Reviews is another esteemed platform where you can get paid for book reviews.
Pay
Kirkus Reviews pay around $50 per review.
Pros
Prestigious platform
Good pay
Opportunity for exposure
Cons
Highly competitive
Strict guidelines
New Pages
New Pages offer a wide range of genres and high pay, making it a lucrative option for experienced reviewers.
Pay: $40 to $100 per review
Pros:
High pay
Covers a wide range of genres
Cons:
Requires writing samples
Competitive
Online Book Club
Online Book Club is a beginner-friendly platform offering a side gig for those looking to make extra income from short reviews.
Pay: $5 to $60 per review
Pros:
Good for beginners
Offers a side gig for extra income
Cons:
Pay varies
Requires short reviews
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly is a well-known weekly news magazine. Publishers weekly paid to read and critique the latest bestsellers professionally.
Pay
The pay is around $25 to $50 per review.
Pros
Reputable platform
Consistent work
Good for building a professional portfolio
Cons
Competitive
Requires two professional references
Reedsy Discovery
Reedsy Discovery offers free review copies and is a good starting point for book lovers looking to build portfolios for reviewing books.
Pay: $10 to $50 per review
Pros:
Offers free copies for review
Good for book lovers
Cons:
Lower pay
Requires a strong portfolio
The U.S. Review of Books
The U.S. Review of Books offers competitive pay but is limited to U.S. residents, making it a good option for those in the states.
Pay: $25 to $60 per review
Pros:
Competitive pay
Offers freelance jobs
Cons:
Requires writing samples
Limited to U.S. residents
Women’s Review of Books
Women’s Review of Books focuses on books by women authors, offering a unique niche and high pay for self-published authors.
Pay: $100 per review
Pros:
High pay
Focuses on women authors
Cons:
Requires professional references
Limited genres
Writerful Books
Writerful Books is a good platform for aspiring reviewers, offering free book copies and a chance to build a strong portfolio.
Pay: $10 to $50 per review
Pros:
Offers free copies for review
Good for aspiring reviewers
Cons:
Lower pay
Requires writing samples
2. Narrate Audiobooks
If you have a voice that can make even a phone book interesting, narrating audiobooks could be your calling. It’s like voice-over work but for bookworms.
Most of these platforms work on a freelance basis. You audition for book reading jobs, and if you’re selected, you’ll receive audio files of the book.
You must read these files aloud, record your voice, and return them.
Payments can vary – from a modest payment per finished hour to a full-time job’s income. Some platforms even offer an affiliate link that you can share, adding another income stream to your book-narrating gig.
If you want to get paid to narrate books, here are some sites to check out.
Audible
Audible is a well-known platform that specializes in audiobooks. It’s a great place to start if you’re new to the audiobook narration scene, and you can get paid to read books for Amazon.
This is just one of the ways to make money on Audible.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Well-known platform
Wide range of preferred genres
Cons:
Competitive
Requires the first review to be unpaid
Audiobook Creative Exchange (ACX)
ACX is a marketplace for audiobook creation, connecting narrators with authors and publishers. It offers many opportunities to get paid to read books aloud, from indie authors to big publishers.
Pay: $50 to $400 PFH (Per Finished Hour)
Pros:
Offers full-time job opportunities
You can set your rates
Cons:
Requires high-quality audio files
Limited to certain countries
Backstage
Backstage is a platform that offers various opportunities in the entertainment industry, including audiobook narration.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Good for beginners
Offers voice-over work as well
Cons:
Membership fee
Competitive
Bodalgo
Bodalgo is an international voice-over marketplace that also offers opportunities for audiobook narration in multiple languages.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
International opportunities
No commission fees
Cons:
Requires professional demo
Limited book-reading jobs
Brilliance Audio
Brilliance Audio is a professional audiobook publishing company that offers high-paying narration jobs.
Pay: $100 to $400 PFH
Pros:
High pay
Professional environment
Cons:
Requires experience
Limited project availability
Bunny Studio
Bunny Studio is a creative platform that offers various voice-over projects, including audiobook narration.
Pay: $40 to $100 PFH
Pros:
Quick Payment
Variety of projects
Cons:
Requires audition
Limited to English speakers
Findaway Voices
Findaway Voices is a platform that connects narrators with authors and publishers, offering high-paying gigs.
Pay: $100 to $500 PFH
Pros:
High pay
Flexibility in choosing projects
Cons:
Requires high-quality audio files
Competitive
Mandy Voices
Mandy Voices is a community platform that offers resources and job listings for voice-over artists, including audiobook narrators.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Offers training resources
Good for networking
Cons:
Requires membership fee
Competitive
Spoken Realms
Spoken Realms is a platform specializing in indie audiobook projects, offering narrators a chance to work on unique titles.
Pay: $50 to $200 PFH
Pros:
Offers royalty share options
Good for indie authors
Cons:
Requires audition
Limited project availability
V.O. Planet
V.O. Planet is a commission-free voice-over marketplace that offers audiobook narration opportunities.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
No commission fees
Offers voice-over work
Cons:
Requires professional demo
Limited book-reading jobs
Voice 123
Voice 123 is a comprehensive platform that offers a wide range of voice-over opportunities, including audiobook narration.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Wide range of voice-over work
International opportunities
Cons:
Requires membership fee
Competitive
Voice Crafters
Voice Crafters is a multilingual voice-over marketplace that offers quick payment options for narrators.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Multilingual projects
Quick payment
Cons:
Requires professional demo
Limited book-reading jobs
Voice Jungle
Voice Jungle is a fast-turnaround voice-over marketplace that offers various projects, including audiobook narration.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Quick turnaround
Offers voice-over work
Cons:
Requires audition
Limited project availability
Voices
Voices is a large platform that offers a wide range of voice-over projects, including training resources for aspiring narrators.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Wide range of projects
Offers training resources
Cons:
Requires membership fee
Competitive
3. Pitch Book Reviews Directly to Websites and Publications.
If you’re confident in your writing, why not pitch your book reviews directly to websites and publications? Many outlets are always on the lookout for fresh perspectives.
Pay: Varies, usually $50 to $200 per review
Pros:
Flexibility in choosing books
Build a portfolio of writing samples
Cons:
Requires pitching skills
Not all pitches get accepted
4. Become a Freelancer on Upwork.
Platforms like Upwork offer various opportunities for freelance book reviewers. Create a profile, showcase your skills, and start making money.
Pay: Varies, usually $20 to $50 per hour
Pros:
Variety of freelance jobs
Ability to set your own rates
Cons:
Upwork’s fees and commission
Competitive
5. Become a Professional Proofreader.
If you have an eye for errors, consider becoming a professional book proofreader yourself. You’ll be paid to read and correct books before they’re published.
Pay: $25 to $45 per hour
Pros:
Consistent work
Can read books for a living
Cons:
Requires attention to detail
May require certification
6. Become a Critique Partner.
As a critique partner, you’ll work closely with authors to provide constructive feedback on their work. It’s a win-win: they improve their book, and you get paid.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Build relationships with authors
Expands your writing
Cons:
Time-consuming
Requires strong writing skills
7. Become an Acquisitions Editor.
Acquisitions editors are the gatekeepers of self-published books in the publishing world. Your job is to find books that should be published. It’s a high-responsibility role but also highly rewarding.
Pay: $50,000 to $80,000 per year
Pros:
Full-time position
Influence what gets published
Cons:
Requires experience
High responsibility
8. Become a Sensitivity Reader.
Sensitivity readers review manuscripts for cultural inaccuracies, biases, and other issues. It’s a specialized skill that’s increasingly in demand.
Pay: $250 to $1,000 per manuscript
Pros:
Contribute to responsible storytelling
Specialized skill set
Cons:
Emotional labor
Requires expertise in specific areas
9. Find Other Careers in the Publishing Industry.
From marketing to design, there are many other roles in the publishing industry where you can get paid to be around books.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Many roles available
Opportunity for growth
Cons:
It may require specialized training
Competitive
10. Start a Book Review Blog.
Starting a book review blog can be a labor of love that pays off eventually.
Plus, you can monetize it in various ways, from ads to sponsored posts.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Creative freedom
Potential for high earnings
No need to go through an application process
Cons:
Audience building
Requires consistent posting
11. Become a Book Influencer and Earn from Affiliate Programs.
Brands might pay you to promote their books if you have a sizable social media following. You can also earn from affiliate programs by recommending books.
Join book affiliate programs to earn a commission for every sale your unique link makes. It’s a great way to make extra money while sharing your love for books.
Pay: Varies
Pros:
Potential to work with brands and authors you love
Free books and more money
Cons:
Requires a large following
Time-consuming
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will Amazon Pay You To Read Books?
No, Amazon won’t pay you to read books. However, you can become a freelance book reviewer and earn money by posting your reviews on Amazon.
Some authors and publishers may offer free copies of their books in exchange for an honest review. So, while you won’t see how to get paid to read books directly, free books are always a win.
Can You Get Paid To Read Books?
Yes, you can! There are various freelance jobs where you can get paid to read books in English for a living.
Websites like Kirkus Indie and Online Book Club offer opportunities to get paid to review books. You can earn money per review; if you’re prolific, it can add up!
How Much Money Can I Make by Reading Books?
The amount you can make varies widely. Some book-reading jobs pay around $50 per review, while others cost $200 or more.
If you want to make this a full-time career, you could earn a decent income, especially if you diversify into areas like audiobook narration.
What Company Will Pay You $200 To Read a Book?
Kirkus Indie is known for offering up to $200 for a book review. It’s one of the higher-paying companies in the industry, making it a go-to for many freelance book reviewers.
How To Make Money Reading Books?
Getting a job as an avid reader or a book reader involves a few steps:
Check job boards for book reading or audiobook narrator positions.
Build a portfolio by writing reviews for free copies initially.
Apply to websites that pay for book reviews or audiobook narration.
How Do I Become an Audiobook Narrator?
Consider becoming an audiobook narrator if you have a great voice and love reading books aloud.
Platforms like Audible’s ACX offer opportunities for narrators. You’ll need to audition, and having a portfolio of your previous narration work can give you an edge.
How Can I Get Free Copies of Books?
Many websites and publishers offer free copies of books in exchange for an honest review. If you’re a book lover, this is a fantastic way to read without breaking the bank.
How Much Do Book Reviewers Get Paid?
Freelance book to write reviews that can fetch between $10 to $50 per piece. Specialize in a genre or become a regular contributor, and you could earn even more.
The Bottom Line
In a nutshell, if you’re an avid reader looking to monetize your passion, the opportunities are endless.
From crafting reviews for platforms like Kirkus Reviews to translating books, there’s a niche for everyone.
Whether you’re multilingual or a freelance enthusiast, there’s a way to make your love for books financially rewarding. It’s all thanks to the internet, where you can make money on secret websites and several other ways.
