Websites That Pay You to Read Books: Curling up with a good book is the best way for many people to pass the time. However, it is possible that you have not considered turning your love of reading into a source of income. There are numerous websites that will pay you to read, review, or record books.
There is no such thing as a free lunch when it comes to side hustles that help you make money quickly. That means you’ll have to work in order to be paid. However, you can earn up to $300 per hour recording books and up to $100 for short reviews of books you’ve read.
How Can I Make Money Reading Books?
When looking for companies that will pay you to read books, keep in mind that the arrangement is usually more complicated than just reading the book. Some businesses will request brief reviews. Some readers will prefer longer articles. Companies that create audiobooks will ask you to submit a recording of yourself reading the book, which is an excellent way to earn money on your phone.
How Does Amazon Pay Me To Read?
If you enjoy reading and reviewing books, you may be thinking of Amazon, the holy grail of online bookstores. However, you cannot be paid to review books on Amazon, or your Amazon account will be suspended.
You can get free books from authors and then review them on Amazon. However, the author cannot ask for a review in exchange for the book. You are also prohibited from reviewing any books or products written or sold by a close friend, relative, business associate, or employer.
Starting a book review website is the best way to get paid from Amazon for reading books. Then you can try to open an Amazon Associate’s account and include Amazon affiliate links in your own product reviews. You must state that the links are affiliate links and that you receive a commission on each sale.
In general, successful affiliate marketing necessitates an engaged audience and a high-traffic website, but some of the most successful affiliate marketers earn $100,000 per month. You can expect to make less than $1,000 per month if you’re just starting out.
What Company Will Pay You $200 for Reading Every Book?
WordsRated advertised that their “Bibliophile-at-large” would be paid $200 for each book read. Reading books and taking notes on details such as the story’s setting, the number of key words and phrases, how many questions were asked in the book, animals that appeared in the book, or the number of characters by gender were all part of the job. The data was used by the company to create studies and statistics on books ranging from classics to popular fiction.
Unfortunately, according to the website, applications for the position of bibliophile-at-large are currently closed. However, the sites listed below will also pay you to read books.
10 Websites That Pay You to Read Books
While you may not be able to earn $200 per book, you can use these sites to supplement your income by reading books.
1. The Kirkus Reviews
Payment was not disclosed.
Kirkus Review is a well-known book review website that covers all genres and formats. Kirkus Indie is looking for experienced reviewers of English and Spanish titles written by self-published authors.
The site requests a resume, writing samples, and a list of reviewing specialties, so this job does not appear to be for newcomers. With most freelance jobs, the more impressive your writing samples are and the more prestigious places you have been published, the more likely you are to be chosen.
How to Use: To enter, send your application to Kirkus Indie Editor David Rapp at [email protected]
2. Booklist
Payment is $15 per review.
The American Library Association includes Booklist. Its reviewers assist school and public library staff in selecting books to purchase or recommend to library patrons. Booklist refers to its reviews as “the haiku of book reviewing,” asking for 150- to 175-word summaries that include a plot synopsis, suggest the book’s ideal audience, and recommend similar titles.
To Apply: Booklist is not currently accepting applications, but the application period will reopen in January 2023.
3. ACX
Hourly wage or a 50% royalty share
Do you enjoy listening to audiobooks and have a great voice? ACX allows professional narrators and audiobook producers to make money by working with published authors who require a narrator for their book.
To complete and finalize your audio recording, you can enlist the assistance of other studio professionals. You will be paid once the audiobook is published, or you will be paid on an ongoing basis equal to 50% of royalties on sales. Once you’ve completed at least 25 audiobooks, you can apply to become an Audible Approved Producer.
Through the Bounty Referral Program, you can also earn money by referring Audible users to your recorded books.
How to Use: To get started, go to the ACX website and create a profile. Upload voice samples based on accents, genre, style, and other factors. If an author or rights holder selects you, you will record an audition by reading a few minutes of their manuscript.
4. Findaway Voices
Unknown salary
Findaway Voices, like ACX, allows authors to select narrators to create audiobooks for them. It provides a comprehensive guide with all of the tools you need to succeed.
To apply, first create a narrator profile. You will be given a unique URL to help authors find you. Then, include work samples, an audio intro, a bio, a cover image, and an avatar.
5. Voices
Pay: Variable
Voices is a platform where voiceover artists can find work or list their availability for projects. According to the platform, over 5,000 jobs are posted each month. When you finish a project, your payment is automatically deposited into PayPal.
Projects listed under the “audiobooks” skill pay between $250 and $375. When you list your services as a voiceover artist, you can specify your rates and delivery time.
How to Use: Create your profile and upload work samples — you can upload an unlimited number of free samples. If you pay for Premium membership, you will be matched with jobs that match your profile.
6. The New York Review of Books
Unknown salary
The US Review of Books, with the tagline “Professional Reviews for the People,” publishes a monthly newsletter of book reviews to assist authors in spreading the word about their newest titles. Reviewers should write between 250 and 300 words, providing a plot synopsis and insights. The guidelines for the site request “heart and succinct writing,” with no use of first-person language in the review. The review can compare similar books, offer opinions, or discuss the author’s previous titles and experience.
Reviewers can choose their favorites from a list of titles. The US Review of Books expects reviews to be submitted within two to three weeks of being assigned.
To Apply: Send your resume, samples of your work, and two professional references to [email protected]
7. Reedsy Discovery
Pay: $1 to $5 in tips from those who read your reviews
Reedsy Discovery does not pay a flat or hourly rate for reviews. Instead, it allows readers to tip reviewers $1, $3, or $5 in appreciation for their work. Writing reviews for Reedsy will not make you rich, but it is a great way to hone your skills if you want to write reviews for larger, more well-known sites like Kirkus Reviews.
To Apply: The Reedsy application process is simple. To create an account, simply enter your email address and first and last name. You will also be able to upload an avatar. Then, respond to a few questions about your reading habits and the genres you’d like to discuss. Include a brief biography. Share links to some of your best reviews to increase your chances of being chosen. You can submit reviews in both video and written form.
8. BookBrowse
Pay: Unknown, but described as “modest.”
Before applying, BookBrowse requires review applicants to have good quality sample reviews of at least 300 words. In addition to each review, reviewers must submit a “Beyond the Book” article. The majority of reviewers write one review per month, and titles include adult fiction, nonfiction, and young adult fiction.
To Apply: The application process is simple, and it requires you to list your favorite genres, share two high-quality reviews (plus a link to other reviews if you want), and write a brief bio.
9. Upwork
Pay: Variable
Upwork is one of the largest online freelance marketplaces, and there are many book review opportunities among other freelance writing gigs. Qualifications and requirements will differ depending on the client and the project at hand. In many cases, Upwork can provide a stepping stone to ongoing work as a book reviewer, making it one of the best sites that will pay you to read books indirectly.
To apply, sign up for a Freelancer account, list your skills and experience, and upload a portfolio. Then look for jobs and submit proposals for those that interest you. A contract will be sent to you if a client wishes to hire you.
10. Online Book Club
Pay: $5 to $60
OnlineBookClub.org allows you to select the books you want to read from a list. You get the books for free and then leave a review. Your first review will not be paid in cash, but subsequent reviews will pay between $5 and $60, according to the website.
To Apply: Unlike many other online review websites, you are not required to submit an application or have previously published book review samples. As a result, this website is more accessible to new reviewers.
