How to Get Paid to Read Books: 6 Innovative Methods

Reading books is a wonderful pastime, but did you know it can also be an active money-making strategy? With a little creativity and effort, you can get paid to read books by turning your passion into a profession. From book reviewing to audiobook narration, here are six innovative methods to make money by reading books:

1. Get Paid to Review Books

If you enjoy critical thinking and putting your thoughts into written form, becoming a book reviewer can be a rewarding way to turn your reading habit into a paid activity. Here are a few companies where you can get paid to write book reviews:

Online Book Club

Founded ten years ago, Online Book Club is a well-known resource for book lovers. You can review books for them, and if your review is accepted, you will be paid $5 to $60 per review. Additionally, as a bonus, you can keep the reviewed book. Note that the first review is not paid, but you will still receive the book for free.

Kirkus Media

Kirkus Reviews is a book review magazine based in the United States, founded in 1933. They cover nearly all genres and lengths of books in digital hardcover and paperback formats. You must write a 350-word review within two weeks after receiving the book. To apply, send your resume, writing samples, and a list of reviewing specialities to David Rapp at drapp@

Women's Review of Books

Women's Review of Books is the leading feminist book review organization. They are always on the lookout for experienced reviewers who can provide feedback on a variety of books, including fiction, graphic novels, poetry, and memoirs mostly written by women. After you sign up for an account on their website and provide your credentials and any previously published reviews, you can be assigned a book to review. Upon approval, you can earn up to $100 per review, and the review should be around 1,200 words long.

2. Get Paid to Read Books for Audiobooks

Do you have a good voice and the necessary equipment? Consider lending your voice for audiobook narration. Audiobooks are voice recordings of a book's text, and narrators get paid on an hourly basis. The average hourly wage is around $100-$225, but as a beginner, you may earn less. Here's what you need:

A computer/laptop Editing software Headphone and microphone Pop screen A silent place

Join a company or offer your services on freelance sites to get paid as a narrator. ACX is a marketplace where authors, literary agents, publishers, and other rights holders connect with engineers, narrators, recording studios, and other audiobook producers. Create an account on their official website, upload audio samples based on accents, genre, and style, and build your profile. Record a few minutes of the manuscript to look for interesting books. If you're the rights holder's first choice, you will receive the offer. Payments are made on a per-finished-hour basis or a 50/50 split of royalties.

3. Additional Opportunities

For those looking for diverse opportunities, here are a couple more options:

Online Transcription Jobs

For those with a keen ear, online transcription jobs can be a great way to make extra income by transcribing audio files into written text. The average rate is around $1 to $2 per minute, although rates can vary widely depending on the complexity of the audio. This can be a flexible job that suits those who have good listening skills and a commitment to accuracy. Here's a related article: Top 5 Online Transcription Jobs for Extra Income.

Summary Writing and Content Creation

Often, the key to getting paid for reading is adding value to the reader through content creation. For example, you can summarize books in an interesting way, post on social media platforms such as X / Twitter, Substack, or other platforms, and monetize through ads, premium articles, or a newsletter. Whether you write top-notch book reviews or create engaging summaries, the internet's vast audience could benefit from your insights, and you could earn money doing it.

Conclusion

The world of online reading opportunities is vast, and with the right skills and dedication, you can turn your passion for reading into a lucrative career. From reviewing books to narrating audiobooks, these methods and more can provide you with a consistent income and a platform to share your knowledge and love of literature.

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