Womens Review of Books

Get Paid to Read: 17 Legitimate Sites That Pay Reviewers

Serious question: do you want to get paid to read? You might laugh it off at first, thinking that that sounds too good to be true, but its not. You can get paid for spending time on what you love: reading books.

Of course, the key to this #hack is book reviewing, where you offer your personal opinion of a book after youre done with it. [If youd like to learn more, check out this post to discover how to write a book review.] Because books are constantly being published, book reviewers are generally always in demand.

So whether youre a voracious reader of nonfiction, genre fiction, classics, or indie books, theres probably an outlet thats willing to compensate you if you read [review] for them! Without further ado, heres a definitive list of the 17 sites that will help you get paid to read. If you want to cut to the chase and find out which of them is the right fit for you, we recommend first taking this quick quiz:

Then read on for the full list of all of the ways to get paid while reading!

1. Kirkus Media

Pay: Freelance basis

More information: Check here

If youve ever lingered on a books Amazon page before, youll have heard of Kirkus Reviews. Itsone of the most respected sources of book reviews out there, publishing many of the blurbs that youll see on Amazon, or on the cover of your favorite titles.

You have to wonder: where do all of these reviews come from? Thats where you come into the picture. Kirkus Media lists an open application for book reviewers. As of right now, theyre specifically searching for people who will review English and Spanish-language indie titles. Some of the qualities that they want in reviewers include: experience, a keen eye, and an ability to write about a 350-word review in two weeks time.

To apply, simply send your resume and writing samples! You can find out more about this opportunity here.

2. Reedsy Discovery

Pay: Tip basis

More information: Check here

A powerhouse in the world of indie books, Reedsy Discovery gives book reviewers the chance to read the latest self-published books before anyone else. You can browse through hundreds of new stories before picking one that piques your interest. Andif youve built up a brand as a book reviewer on Reedsy Discovery, you can liaise with authors who contact you directly for a review.

Its application process is pretty simple: just complete this form to be selected as a book reviewer. Once youre accepted, you can start looking through the shelves and reading immediately. One more thing: book reviewers can get tips for their book reviews. Readers can send $1, $3, or $5 as a token of appreciation [which, lets be honest, all book reviewers deserve more of].

If this system intrigues you, you can discover more about how it works on this page.

3. Any Subject Books

Pay: Freelance basis

More information: Check here

Any Subject Books is a full-suite self-publishing service. More importantly for you, it hires book reviewers on a book-by-book basis to help them review new books.

Theyre big on in-depth, honest, and objective reviews. No fluff here! Theyre also happy to give you books in your preferred genres, so if youre a voracious reader of war fiction, you wont typically be asked to read the latest paranormal romance hit [or vice versa].

Sadly, Any Subject Books is not currently open to book reviewer applications, but check back again this could change at any time.

4. BookBrowse

Pay: Freelance basis

More information: Check here

BookBrowse reviews both adult fiction and nonfiction, and some books for young adults. The site focuses on books that are not only enjoyable to read, with great characters and storylines, but that also leave the reader knowing something about the world they did not before. Reviewers also write a "beyond the book" article for each book they review.

5. Online Book Club

Pay: $5 to $60

More information: Check here

Online Book Clubs FAQ begins with a warning for all aspiring book reviewers: First of all, this is not some crazy online get-rich-quick scheme. You won't get rich and you won't be able to leave your day job.

That daunting reminder aside, Online Book Clubs setup is pretty reasonable, not to mention straightforward. Youll get a free copy of the book and youll get paid for your review of that book. Moreover, its one of the few sites thats transparent about their payment rates [anywhere between $5 to $60]. To begin the sign-up process, simply submit your email here.

6. U.S. Review of Books

Pay: Freelance basis

More information: Check here

U.S. Review of Books is a nation-wide organization that reviews books of all kinds and publishes those reviews in a popular monthly newsletter. The way that it works for a book reviewer is simple: when a book title is posted, reviewers can request to read it and get assigned.

A typical review for U.S. Review of Books is anywhere between 250 and 300 words. They are looking particularly for informed opinions and professionalism in reviews, along with succinctness. To apply, submit a resume, sample work, and two professional references via email. But wed recommend that you check out some previous examples of their book reviews here to first get a better sense of what theyre looking for.

7. Womens Review of Books

Pay: $100 per review

More information: Check here

Womens Review of Books is a long-running, highly-respected print publication thats a part of Wellesley Centers for Women. This feminist magazine has been published for 36 years and is looking for more book reviewers to join their force.

If you plan on writing reviews for Womens Review of Books, you should be aware that its reviews are published in the service of action and consciousness. Most of its writers are also academics, journalists, or book reviewers with some years of experience behind them. If you meet these qualifications and are accepted, youll be compensated $100 per review.

To pitch then a review, send them an email with a quick proposal. For more details, click here.

8. Upwork

Pay: Variable

If youre a freelancer, youre probably already familiar with Upwork! One of the biggest marketplaces for freelancers, Upwork has fingers in every industrys pie. So it wont be a surprise to learn that people who are looking for freelance book reviewers regularly post listings on its marketplace.

Because each job caters to an individual client, the requirements and qualifications will differ. It might be a one-time project, or the gig might turn into a long-running collaboration with the client. Generally, the listing will specify the books genre, so youll know what youre getting before you agree to collaborate with the client on the other end.

To begin, youll need to sign up as a freelancer on Upwork. Find out more information on Upworks FAQ page!

9. Moody Press

Pay: Free ARCs

More information: Check here

Moody Press is a nonprofit publishing house of Christian titles and Bible study resources. If this is your niche, youll definitely be interested in Moody Press Blogger Review Program! As part of the program, youll get free copies of book published by Moody Press.

Like some of the other programs on this list, you wont get paid for your review, but you will get a free book. Moody Press also asks you to write your honest review within 60 days of reading it. To get a feel for it, try joining the MP Newsroom Bloggers Facebook group, where you can directly interact with existing members of the program.

10. New Pages

Pay: Variable

More information: Check here

Not interested in writing anything longer than 300 words? Are quick flash book reviews more your pace? If so,becoming a NewPages reviewer might be just your speed. NewPages.com is an Internet portal to small presses, independent publishers and bookstores, and literary magazines. More importantly, theyre looking for short book reviews [generally between 100 and 200 words] on any recent literary magazine or book that youve read.

If youre already a fan of books from small presses or unknown magazines, even better: thats exactly the kind of reviewer NewPages wants to work with. If youd like to look through some of their past book reviews to see if your style matches, check out their book review archive here.

11. Publishers Weekly

Pay: Freelance basis

More information: Check here

Publishers Weekly is an online magazine focused on international book publishing and all that that entails. More pertinently, it regularly reviews both traditionally published and self-published books, which means that it does occasionally have a call for book reviewers. As of right now, its closed to applications but if you check its Jobs page every once in a while, you might see an opening again.

12. Tyndale Blog Network

Pay: Freelance basis

More information: Check here

Tyndale Blog Network runs a program called My Reader Rewards Club, which is based on an innovative rewards system. If you join as a member, you can earn points for certain actions that you take on the site [for instance, inviting a friend to the program and sharing a direct link to MyReaderRewardsClub.com on Facebook each fetches you 10 points].

Writing a review for a Tyndale or NavPress book on Amazon or Barnes & Noble gets you 10 points, with a maximum limit of 50 points in 30 days. In turn, you can use your accumulated points to receive more books off of Tyndales shelves. If this sounds like something that may be up your alley, check out their FAQ here.

13. Booklist Publications

Pay: $12.50 to $15 per review

More information: Check here

Booklist is the American Library Associations highly respected review journal for librarians. Luckily for freelance writers, Booklist assigns freelance book reviews that vary from blog posts for The Booklist Reader topublished book review in Booklist magazine.

As the site itself suggests, its important that youre familiar with Booklist Publications outlets [which include Booklist magazine, the quarterly Book Links, and The Booklist Reader blog] and its writing style. Reviews are generally very short [no longer than 175 words] and professionally written. You can discover more of its guidelines here and an archive of previous Booklist reviews here.

To apply, contact a relevant Booklist editor and be prepared to submit a few of your past writing samples.

14. Instaread

Pay: $100 per summary

More information: Check here

Not interested in writing critical takes on the books that you read? Then Instaread might be for you. Instaread has an open call for book summaries, which recap the key insights of new and classic nonfiction.

Each summary should be around 1000 to 1500 words, which makes it a fair bit lengthier than your average flash book review. However, Instaread will compensate you heartily for it: as of 2019, Instaread pays $100 for each summary that you write. You can peruse Instareads recommended Style Guide on this page, or download Instaread from your App Store to get a better feel for the app.

15. NetGalley

Pay: Free ARCs

More information: Check here

If youve dreamt about becoming an influencer in the book reviewing community, you may want to give NetGalley a look. Put simply, NetGalley is a service that connects book reviewers to publishers and authors. Librarians, bloggers, booksellers, media professionals, and educators can all sign up to NetGalley to read books before theyre published.

How it works is pretty simple. Publishers put digital review copies out on NetGalley for perusal, where NetGalleys members can request to read, review, and recommend them. Its a win-win for both publisher and reviewer: the publisher is able to find enthusiastic readers to provide an honest review for their books, and the reviewer gets access to a vast catalog of books.

The cherry on top is that NetGalley membership is 100% free! Simply use this form to sign up. And if youd like more information, you can dip into their FAQ here.

16. getAbstract

Pay: Freelance basis

More information: Check here

Are you an avid reader of nonfiction books? getAbstract is a site that summarizes 18,000+ nonfiction books into 10-minute bites. Their Career Opportunities page often includes listings for writers. At the time of this posts writing, getAbstract is looking for science and technology writers who can sum up the latest magazine articles and books. They pay on a freelance basis, so apply through their website to get further details.

17. Writerful Books

Pay: $10 to $50

More information: Check here

Writerful Books is an author services company that provides everything from beta reading to [you guessed it] book reviewing. As such, theyre always on the lookout for book reviewers with fresh and compelling voices.

One of the benefits of this gig is that you can review any book that you want for them [although they prefer contemporary award-winning American, Australian, British, Canadian, Irish, and New Zealand authors]. Getting a regularly paid gig with Writerful Books isnt a guarantee, but if you regularly publish quality reviews for them, they may contact you.

To apply, youll have to be able to provide previous book review samples. Heres the job listing if youre curious to learn more about this role.

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