Always have your nose in a book? Couldn’t think of anything better? What if I told you that your love for literature could be more than just a hobby – it could be a lucrative career!
In this ultimate guide, I’ll explore the most profitable and exciting opportunities that allow you to get paid to read books while doing what you love most!
How to Make Money Reading Books

1) Become an Online Book Reviewer
Yes, there are websites that will literally pay you to review books!
Each site varies in what they will pay you, but you’ll typically be paid cash via Paypal or bank transfer, or you’ll receive a free book in exchange for your review.
I’ve done a lot of research into the best websites/companies to look at and these are:
With OnlineBookClub.org, you are first paid with a book (no cash). For all books after that, you’re fully eligible for paid review opportunities – and bonus, the books you review will always be free!
With this website, you can get paid around $5 to $60 for each book that you review, and the beauty of this site is that you’re unlikely to run out of books to review.
Over 10,000 authors use Online Book Club to gain reviews for their new books!
Online Book Club claims you can make up to $500 a month reviewing books for them, which according to what I’ve read online, seems pretty accurate.
Kirkus Reviews, a well-respected literary reviewing body, is always on the lookout for book reviewers who speak English and/or Spanish.
You’ll typically review Indie authors looking to break into the industry, and then write a 350 word review.
There is a deadline though – you’ll need to submit your review a maximum 2 weeks after being assigned a book, so this isn’t something to commit to if you can’t meet that deadline.
Luckily, Kirkus Media reviews pretty much every genre of book, so you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.
I’ll be honest I was a little bit disappointed to see that out of a $450 fee, Kirkus only pays reviewers around $50 per review, $75 if they like the style of your writing.
If you’re trying to build a portfolio or just want to make a bit of money on the side, this could be a good way to go.
The average writer makes around $100-$150 a month.
Publisher’s Weekly is an industry magazine (so it’s very well respected) and they’ll pay around $25 for every review, which is only around 180 words.
You choose how many books you want to review a month.
They only occasionally accept reviewers though, so you’ll need to keep an eye out for when applications open.
To apply you’ll need to send a resume and a sample review.
With UpWork, you simply need to create your own profile and make a listing as a book reviewer to hire.
This way, clients and authors can find you and hire you directly to read their book and review it.
The beauty of this is that you can set your own pricing and decide which clients you want to work with.
Some book reviewers I found were charging anything between $15 to $80 an hour.
Pitching Directly to Magazines and Publications
Already have a stellar writing portfolio or have written for big name brands?
Places such as The New York Times and The Guardian regularly accept unsolicited pitches.
They will pay around $800 for a 1,000 word review.
As this is a professional route though, you will need some hefty experience behind you and of course sending a pitch doesn’t guarantee an assignment.
Related: 10 Tried and Tested Places to Find High Paying Freelance Writing Jobs
2) Become a BookTok Influencer
Many people think there’s no money to be made in being a book influencer, but that couldn’t be further from the truth!
BookTok, the literary corner of TikTok, has become a thriving community where book lovers share their favorite reads, book hauls, and engaging book reviews in short, captivating videos.
But I bet what you didn’t know was that you could easily make $4,000 just for posting one 30 second book review video – all thanks to sponsored deals and partnerships.
In fact, this was the reality for one book content creator with just 20k followers, and an average engagement rate of 3%.
She posted just 4 times a week for 8 months before she landed this super sweet deal.
Related: How to Make Serious Money on Youtube: 7+ Income Streams
How to Become a Successful Book Influencer
1) Choose Your Niche
- Define the focus of your content.
- Are you interested in a specific genre, such as fantasy, romance, or self-help?
- Identifying your niche will help you target a specific audience and stand out in a crowded space.
2) Create Compelling Content
- Develop a consistent posting schedule and create high-quality content that resonates with your audience.
- Share book reviews, recommendations, reading lists, author interviews, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into your personal reading life.
3) Engage with Your Audience
- Cultivate a community by responding to comments, hosting Q&A sessions, and fostering discussions around books and literary topics.
- Building meaningful connections with your audience will enhance your credibility and massively increase your influence.
4) Collaborate with Publishers and Authors
- Reach out to publishers and authors to collaborate on sponsored content, book promotions, or author interviews.
- Establishing partnerships with industry insiders can provide opportunities for monetization and exposure.
3) Start a Book Blog: Share Your Literary Insights with the World
Prefer to do some of the writing yourself?
Why not launch your own book blog and create a platform to share your thoughts, recommendations, and reviews of the books you read.
The average book blogger can easily pull in $3,000-$5,000 a month purely based on ad revenue alone working with networks such as Ad Thrive, Mediavine or Monumetric.
When you add in sponsored content, you’re looking at making $8,000-$10,000 a month with just 2-3 sponsors.
You could also make money in other ways with a blog too; including by placing affiliate links to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and other online stores for the books you’re reading.
Never heard of affiliate marketing before? It’s one of my favorite ways to make money blogging.
Related: 23 Hobbies That Make Money: Build Your 6 Figure Business!
Here’s how affiliate marketing works:
- Affiliates are people or businesses who are paid to promote a product or service.
- When you become an affiliate, you are given special links to use when you promote something for a company. The links allow companies to track where the sale comes from.
- Then, you place those links on your website, social media accounts, etc. in the hopes that someone will buy something through your link.
- When someone makes a purchase through your unique affiliate link, the company knows where the customer came from and pays you a commission.
4) Run a Paid Book Club
Whilst library book clubs are free, there are a lot of membership based book clubs now running around the world that require a small fee!
Some are even based online and attract hundreds of members each meeting.
Charge a small membership fee or seek sponsorship from local businesses to cover expenses and potentially earn income from book club events or merchandise sales.
Of course, if you’re charging you’ll want to make sure the club is lively and engaging!
Building a vibrant book club community not only provides a source of income but also fosters meaningful connections with fellow book enthusiasts.
Related: 30 Creative Ways to Make Money Without a Job
5) Proofread Books: Polish Manuscripts and Earn a Profit
Freelance proofreaders make around $4,000-$6,000 a month on average, but top earners can easily net a whopping $10,000 a month plus within a year or two.
Proofreading simply involves reviewing manuscripts for grammatical errors, typos, and formatting inconsistencies to ensure polished and professional final copies.
If you have a keen eye for detail, you could easily build a highly profitable portfolio in this niche.
Just getting started?
Platforms like Upwork, Linkedin and Freelancer offer opportunities to find proofreading gigs.
Networking with authors and publishers can lead to long-term collaborations and steady income.
Related: How I Make $10,000 a Month as a Virtual Assistant In Just 8 Months
Related: 6 Best Places to Snag High Paid Proofreading Clients & Jobs
6) Become a Book Podcaster
Book podcasting is a slightly new phenomenon but boy is it taking off!
Launching a book podcast might involve discussing your favorite books, interviewing authors, or potentially sharing behind-the-scenes insights into the world of literature.
That’s the beauty of this, it’s up to you what you create and share!
Monetize your podcast through sponsorships, advertising, or listener donations via platforms like Patreon.
The average beginner podcaster can pull in around $1,000-$2,000 a month with a little effort, dedication and persistence.
Podcasts with a greater viewership can pull in close to the $5,000 a month mark, whilst top earners can achieve the $10,000-$15,000 month mark.
With engaging content and a loyal audience, your book podcast can become a profitable venture while allowing you to explore your passion for storytelling in a new format.
7) Get Paid to Narrate Audiobooks
If you have a knack for narration and a captivating voice, you might want to consider pursuing opportunities to narrate audiobooks.
Audiobook production companies, authors, and publishers often hire voice actors to bring their stories to life in audio format.
Join audiobook narration platforms like ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange), Voices 123 or Voices.com to audition for narration projects and showcase your talents to potential clients.
8) Work as a Book Editor
Becoming a book editor does require more upfront work.
If you’ve always dreamed of helping authors refine their manuscripts to achieve literary excellence, this could be the dream job for you.
Editors play a crucial role in the publishing process, providing feedback, developmental edits, and copyediting services to improve the quality of written work.
The average beginner freelance book editor makes anywhere between $3,000-$5,000 a month, whilst top earners can rake in closer to the $10,000 a month mark.
Freelance editing opportunities are plentiful on platforms like Linkedin or Reedsy, where authors and publishers seek skilled editors to polish their books before publication.
9) Design Book Covers
Have graphic design skills?
Combine your artistic talents with your love for literature by designing book covers for authors and publishers.
Book cover designers create visually striking designs that capture the essence of a book and attract readers’ attention.
Platforms like 99designs and Fiverr connect designers with clients seeking custom book cover designs.
Book covers don’t come cheap either!
On average, people expect to pay around the $250-$1000 mark, depending on the quality of work produced.
Related: 18 Best Side Hustles for Introverts
10) Pursue a Career as a Literary Agent
Fancy discovering and championing talented authors?
You might want to embark on a career as a literary agent; who makes on average $71,000 a year.
Literary agents scout for talented authors, negotiate book deals with publishers, and advocate for their clients’ interests throughout the publishing process.
While breaking into the world of literary representation may require perseverance and networking, the rewards of discovering and championing exceptional literary talent are immeasurable.
11) Translate Books into Another Language: Bridge Literary Worlds Across Cultures
If you’re fluent in multiple languages and passionate about literature, consider pursuing a career as a literary translator.
Translators adapt books from one language to another, allowing stories to reach new audiences and bridging literary worlds across cultures.
Whether you specialize in literary fiction, nonfiction, or genre-specific translations, your linguistic skills can open doors to exciting opportunities in the global publishing market.
Other Opportunities in the Publishing Industry
Beyond the realm of influencer marketing, there are additional opportunities within the publishing industry for book lovers to get paid to read.
Here are a few potential career paths to consider:
1) Editorial Assistant or Publishing Intern
- Entry-level positions in publishing houses often involve reading and evaluating manuscript submissions, assisting with editorial tasks, and providing support to senior editors.
- Pursuing internships or entry-level positions can be a valuable stepping stone to a career in publishing.
2) Publicists
- Publicists are usually employed by publishing houses and are paid a set salary.
- They may also work as freelancers for authors or self-published authors on a per-project basis.
Related: 30+ Small Business Ideas to Become Your Own Boss (& Take Back Your Time)
Tips for Making Good Money in the Book Niche
1) Stay Curious and Open-Minded
- Explore a diverse range of genres, authors, and perspectives to expand your reading horizons and enhance your insights as a book influencer or reviewer.
2) Build Your Brand
- Define your unique voice, style, and aesthetic to differentiate yourself from other book influencers.
- Consistency and authenticity are key to building a loyal audience.
3) Invest in Your Skills
- Continuously improve your writing, communication, and content creation skills.
- Attend writing workshops, take online courses, and seek feedback to refine your craft.
4) Be Patient and Persistent
- Building a successful career as a book influencer or professional reader takes time and effort.
- Stay committed to your goals, adapt to challenges, and celebrate your progress along the way.