17 Realistic Ways to Get Paid to Read Books for Good Money

Getting Paid to Read Books: How Bibliophiles Can Profit From Their Passion

For book lovers around the world, reading isn’t just a hobby – it’s a lifestyle. But what if you could get paid to indulge your literary passion? As it turns out, there are numerous innovative platforms connecting avid readers with authors, publishers, and audio producers who compensate them to review, summarize, publicize or even narrate books.

So whether you’re looking to earn some extra cash or score free reads, read on to discover 17 legitimate ways to profit from your bookworm tendencies!

Kirkus Reviews

As one of the most authoritative voices in independent book reviews, Kirkus offers seasoned readers a chance to weigh in on upcoming releases. Reviewers are paid up to $75 per finished piece which evaluates everything from plot and prose to marketability. Books are shipped free of charge and turnaround times average 2-3 weeks.

With its prestigious industry reputation, Kirkus Reviews provides an unparalleled opportunity to kickstart your reviewing career. Assessments should offer balanced, unbiased analysis free from plot summaries or explicit content. Previous writing experience is valued.

Booklist

Backed by the American Library Association, Booklist magazine relies on discerning readers to inform librarians’ purchasing decisions. Reviewers earn $15 per 200-word critique which concisely evaluates strengths and weaknesses. Books span every genre, are sent complimentary and two weeks is standard for completion.

Given its standing among libraries, Booklist bolsters credibility for fledgling reviewers. Submissions should adopt an informative consumer-focused tone free of academic jargon. Multi-taskers can pursue editing roles too paying $12 per hour.

ACX

For narrators, ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) provides everything needed to transform printed works into audio guides, lectures and more. Earning models include per finished hour rates from $20 or 50% shared royalties. Books are freely provided and production assistance is accessible.

With audiobook popularity booming, ACX grants vocal aspirants access to an online library awaiting narration. Budding narrators should showcase crisp enunciation and vocal range capturing distinct personas. Auditions may be required.

Findaway Voices

Findaway Voices offers another portal connecting book lovers’ dulcet tones with eagerly awaiting readers’ ears. Following complimentary approvals, narrators earn at minimum $75 per finished hour. Royalties and production help give voice artists creative control.

Cultivating nearly 50,000 audiobooks across many genres, Findaway furnishes unlimited outlet for sonorous book worms. Emotive, lively deliveries which fully immerse listeners are key. An instinctual grasp of prose and pacing serves well.

Voices.com

Voices mode of operations parallels Findaway by lining up voice over jobs in various categories, including audiobook narrations. However, its broader scope and transparent pay structure offer pros. Listed projects feature set budgets (usually no less than $250 per hour) enabling tailored auditions and streamlined hiring.

With over 500,000 registered clients scouting talent, Voices extensive reach gives narrators immense exposure. Flawless recordings, professional demeanor and quick turnarounds are prerequisites. Custom demos and profiles allow talents to shine.

The US Review of Books

A fixture in literary circles, the US Review of Books trade magazine continually seeks book analyses for upcoming issues. Pay starts at $50 for 400-word reviews and selections ship free of charge. Two week deadlines permit thoughtful appraisals.

With thousands of eyes on its pages, exposure alone may satisfy some wordsmiths. Otherwise, compensation affirms knowledgeable readers’ status as publishing authorities. Factual judgments absent hyperbole or nitpicking are preferred.

Reedsy Discovery

Reedsy Discovery uniquely empowers reviewers by adopting a “tipping” model. Readers pay recommended $1 to $5 sums for posts which illuminate assigned books’ essence for classmates and colleagues. Prolific, esteemed critics may earn over $100 monthly as volumes fuel visibility. Partner incentives further boost incomes.

This forum offers budding reviewers autonomous control to shape literary conversations. Offer original viewpoints in 250 to 750 words for niche fiction and nonfiction. Embed external links driving traffic toenhanced author pages.

BookBrowse

A favorite among analyzing aficionados. BookBrowse raises the bar asking critics to furnish a complete book review plus supplementary original article tied to its themes. This earns $50 after an initial probationary piece. Books ship free domestically.

With over 500,000 monthly users relying on its weekly reviews, BookBrowse grants significant sway to enlisted critics. Meet 1000-word thresholds fusing summary, critique and unique connections. Previous publishing credits prove persuasive.

Upwork

Freelance behemoth Upwork frequently posts book reviewing gigs listed by authors or collaborating third parties. Compensation varies based on length, turnaround timeline and other specifics. Interested wordsmiths submit bids competing for coveted contracts.

Upwork’s extensive reach across 197 countries gives seasoned reviewers access to a steady stream of global clients. Standout pitches evidencing subject matter expertise and sound writing skills will prevail. Flexibility on rates and editing requests helps secure the deal.

OnlineBookClub.org

True to its name, OnlineBookClub compensates reviewers following an initial free trial run. Anonymous critiques garner $5 to $60 based on word count, timeliness and assignment difficulty. Reviews reach over two million eyes monthly.

With its high-traffic community of book enthusiasts, OnlineBookClub enables reviewers to rapidly gain visibility. Offer 300- to 800-word analyses encompassing unique discussion questions or author interviews to boost appeal.

Become an Audible Narrator

The undisputed leader in downloadable audiobooks, Audible extends vocal book worms opportunities to have their pipes heard across its prolific catalog. Per finished hour compensation aligns with studio rates. Royalties accompanying Audible exclusive productions offer ongoing incentives.

Partnering with Audible furnishes built-in visibility book narrators crave. Flawlessly executed recordings confirming to meticulous quality controls are nonnegotiable. Acting chops bringing colorful characters to life are equally essential.

NetGalley

NetGalley grants professional reviewers sneak peeks at upcoming book releases in exchange for timely analyses which publishing houses utilize to gauge market reception. Average turnarounds are under three weeks.

Certain reviewers may qualify for monetary compensation if their contributions significantly aid promotional efforts. Most partake purely for freebies and backstage literature access. Target followings determining sales influence compensation eligibility.

Construct 400- to 600-word overviews without divulging spoilers for prepublication works spanning all genres. Attention grabbing descriptors enticing fans prove helpful.

BookLook Bloggers

BookLook Bloggers similarly furnishes free not-yet-released books asking bloggers to raise awareness via reviews on boundlessly traversed sites. Turnaround varies based on agreements.

Scoring free books alone thrills most bibliophiles! Yet frequently publishers reward reliably insightful bloggers furthering their marketing initiatives with compensation or extra reads. Highlight little known works or niche topics to stand out in saturated markets.

Voice123

Aimed at building voice actors’ portfolios, Voice123 payment system uniquely allows employers to instantly purchase custom auditions from talents’ profile samples. Narrators receive 70% commissions from these purchases which support audition creation costs.

While royalty splits for contracted gigs better reward commitment, this innovative structure helps new narrators offset expenses while increasing job competitiveness. Record an initial 15-minute demo reel to open purchase options.

Scribd

To bolster its document library, Scribd recruits eagle-eyed contributors to summarize lengthy uploads spanning every topic. Although pay per piece is relatively low at $5, prolific producers can earn substantial sums monthly.

With over 100 million active Scribd subscribers relying on uploaded digests when pressed for time, furthering its mission pays dividends. Submit 3-paragraph encapsulations extracting a piece’s essence in under 500 words. Frame appropriately to entice interested visitors.

In Conclusion

Scoring compensation for indulging literary passions is clearly plausible through various innovative platforms designed expressly for bookworm benefit! While direct payments motivate some, others satisfied seeing their name or voice credited.

Before diving in, reflect on which prospects best align with interests, skills and schedules. Confidently producing quality content, reliable technology facilitating clear recordings and articulately marketing talents shape success. But for book lovers willing to put in the effort, profiting from prose is an enriching reality!