How To Get Paid To Review Books (14 Sites That Actually Pay)

If you love reading, did you know you can actually get paid to review books?

In today’s article, I’m going to show you how to get paid to review books with 14 sites that actually pay readers for real book reviews. These sites can give you anything from free copies of new books to paying real cash.

Whether you’re looking for a flexible way to earn extra income or just want to read more books without spending money, these paid book review sites can be a great place to start.

How paid book review sites work

Paid book review sites give a way for readers to earn money by sharing their thoughts on books while providing authors with helpful feedback.

The book review process

To start, you need to sign up on a paid book review site. Many sites, like The US Review of Books, require you to create an account and start the application process. Some may even require writing samples in order to join their paid reader program (this is because there is usually a limited number of books they have to give out, so they want reviewers who will put high-quality work toward this gig). Once you’re a member, you can browse available books to review.

Then, you request a book to review. If selected, the site sends you a copy, sometimes an eBook and other times a physical copy of the book. It’s important to read the book thoroughly, and after reading, you write your book review.

Some sites have specific guidelines for reviews. For example, they may need a certain word count or focus on particular elements of the book. Once you submit your review, it goes through the approval process, and you get paid after the book review is accepted.

Payment varies by the book review site and the review length.

Why authors use paid book review sites

Authors use paid book review sites for many different reasons. One main reason is that positive reviews help increase a book’s visibility, so a good book review can lead to more sales, which is important for both new and established authors.

Many sites, such as Kirkus Media and Booklist Online, typically have well-known reviewers that readers like to read reviews from (so that people in their target market know if a book is worth reading or not). A review from a reputable book review site adds credibility, and this can be really valuable for self-published authors and indie authors who don’t have a big publishing house backing them.

Authors also get detailed feedback from paid book review sites. Reviews highlight strengths and areas for improvement, which is helpful for future writing projects. Plus, having numerous reviews can help a book’s ranking on platforms like Amazon. This attracts even more readers and potential buyers.

The Best Sites That Will Pay You To Review Books

Below are the best paid book review websites.

Recommended reading: 16 Best Ways To Get Paid To Read Books

1. Kirkus Reviews

Kirkus Reviews is a popular company in the book review industry. They provide professional and unbiased reviews for self-published and traditional authors. You’ve actually probably read a book before and the back cover has a review printed right on it from Kirkus Reviews – I have personally seen this many times over the years!

If you are a book author and want a book review from Kirkus, you have to pay for it. The service is called Kirkus Indie. It is quite popular with self-publishers looking to get their work noticed.

Many writers like Kirkus Reviews for its credibility. The company has been around since 1933 and is one of the most trusted sources in book reviews.

Kirkus also gives reviews for books written in English and Spanish. They cover a wide range of genres, including fiction, nonfiction, and children’s books.

Though getting a review from Kirkus can be expensive, many authors feel it’s worth the investment. A positive review can help your book’s visibility and sales after all.

Kirkus Reviews is currently hiring freelance book reviewers. They need reviews that are around 350 words, due two weeks after the book is assigned.

I actually just read a children’s book the other day (a very popular one with thousands of Amazon reviews), and the cover had a Kirkus review right on it. So, book authors definitely use these book reviews!

Recommended reading: 13 Ways To Get Free Books Online and Sent to You

2. Booklist

Booklist is a great place if you want to make money by reviewing books. They pay $15 for every book review you write. Many book reviewers write two or three reviews each month.

Booklist focuses on books for public libraries and school libraries, and they publish around 8,000 book reviews each year. This means there’s always something for you to read and review.

To get started, you need to become a freelance reviewer for them. Sometimes, their editorial staff also writes reviews, but freelancers contribute a lot. Once you write a review, you get paid when it’s published.

3. BookLife by Publishers Weekly

BookLife by Publishers Weekly is a platform dedicated to self-published authors. BookLife is trustworthy and well-known, making it a popular choice for indie authors.

You can usually get paid around $25 to $75 per paid book review on this site.

They look for book reviews around 300 words in length that include a plot summary, critique, and your analysis of the book.

4. Reedsy Discovery

Reedsy Discovery is a platform where you can get paid for reviewing books.

As a Reedsy Discovery reviewer, you can access hundreds of new books for free. These books are usually unpublished, giving you a sneak peek at fresh stories before anyone else.

Each review you write can earn you money. The more reviews you write, the more you can make. Plus, high-quality reviews can attract more followers to your reviewer profile.

5. London Review of Books

The London Review of Books (LRB) is one of Europe’s top magazines for book reviews and essays. They publish every two weeks and cover a mix of different genres and ideas.

The LRB looks at unsolicited submissions, which means you can send your work even if they didn’t ask for it. This gives many writers a chance to get their reviews published.

6. Readers’ Favorite

Readers’ Favorite is a popular site that shares book reviews for authors. They review many different types of books, including eBooks, audiobooks, and even comic books.

This paid book review site typically pays less than others, as they provide free book reviews to authors.

7. Women’s Review of Books

Women’s Review of Books focuses on books by and about women.

Women’s Review of Books is known for quality writing. Scholars, authors, and critics contribute to it. If you love books by women or about women’s issues, this is a great place to try out.

8. OnlineBookClub

Online Book Club is a popular site where you can get paid to review books. It’s free to join, and the only requirement for your first review is that you do it for free.

Once done, you can start getting paid for honest reviews. Most book review payouts range from around $5 to $60 per book review.

The pay for reviews varies, and you get to choose which books you want to review. This means you can pick genres that interest you.

9. BookBrowse

BookBrowse is a popular site for book lovers to get paid for book reviews.

Their reviewers usually get around one book review task a month from them and receive a small payment for it.

10. BlueInk Review

BlueInk Review focuses on providing professional book reviews and has published more than 7,000 reviews.

They need book reviews from both traditionally published and self-published books, ebooks, graphic novels, translated books, and more.

Reviews are typically around 250–300 words long.

11. The US Review of Books

If you love reading and reviewing books, you might want to check out The US Review of Books. This site connects authors with professional reviewers who get paid to read and review books.

As a reviewer, you get paid for every review you complete, and payments are made monthly.

To become a reviewer, you need to apply and get approved. You need good writing skills and a love for books. Once approved, you can start picking books to review.

12. Manhattan Book Review

Manhattan Book Review is a place where you can read and review books. They have been reviewing books since 2008. It covers many genres, so you have plenty of choices.

They are looking for book reviews and summaries less than 300 words long.

13. eBookFairs

For book lovers, eBookFairs is a popular website to earn money by writing reviews.

On eBookFairs, you can review many different books. The site offers a payment rate of $10 for books over 100 pages. For books under 100 pages, book reviews are usually not paid.

The site also makes it easy to find and review many books. They have thousands of books that need reviews. This means you will have many choices to pick from. You can find books that match your interests and enjoy the reading process.

14. Upwork

Upwork is a popular platform where you can find many freelance opportunities, including paid book reviews.

On Upwork, you can create a free profile and start looking for job postings. Many authors and publishers post jobs looking for book reviewers.

Upwork allows you to bid on jobs and communicate directly with clients. This means you get to discuss the terms and payment before starting.

Make sure to set a fair price for your reviews, as quality reviews take time to write (you will have to read the whole book after all!).

I did a quick search on Upwork for book reviewers, and freelancers are charging anywhere from $25 to $100 plus per hour for writing book reviews.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to common questions about getting paid for book reviews.

Can you get paid to do book reviews?

Yes, you can get paid to write book reviews. Many websites pay for book reviews, such as Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, BookLife by Publishers Weekly, Reedsy Discovery, and OnlineBookClub. You can get paid to write reviews on books about romance, fantasy, nonfiction, and more.

What is the best site for book reviews?

The best site depends on your needs, such as if you just want free books or if you want to make extra money doing this gig. Kirkus Reviews and BookLife by Publishers Weekly are very popular. Reedsy Discovery is also a good choice for indie book reviewers.

Can students also get paid for reviewing books?

Yes, students can also get paid for reviewing books. Many sites don’t have age requirements as long as you can write well.

Will Amazon pay you for book reviews?

Amazon itself doesn’t pay for book reviews, but you may be able to get books for free from Amazon through its Amazon Vine program. You can learn more about this at How I Received $4,500 in Free Amazon Products by Writing Reviews.

What do I need to know before I start a book review side hustle?

First, make sure you enjoy reading. It’s also important to be honest and fair in your reviews. One way to build trust with your reviews is to start by sharing your book reviews for free on Goodreads. Also, understand the rules about disclosing paid reviews so you follow book review guidelines. Lastly, make sure you do not use AI to write your book review, as this is NOT what the companies or authors want – and many have very strict rules about cheating in this way.

How much money can you make writing book reviews?

The amount of money you can make writing book reviews varies. Some sites pay per review, like $25 to $60 for each review. Others might have different compensation, like free books. It can be a good side income, but for most people, it will not be a full-time job.

How To Get Paid To Write Book Reviews – Summary

I hope you enjoyed this article on how to get paid to review books.

Paid book review sites are a great way to turn your love for reading into a profitable side hustle. There are plenty of sites that focus on different genres and interests. By picking the right site, you can earn money while enjoying the latest novels, nonfiction, or even young adult or children’s books.

Have you tried any of these popular paid book review sites?

Recommended reading:

• 7 Ways To Get Paid For Amazon Reviews
• 12 Easy Ways To Earn Free Amazon Gift Cards
• 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures
• 7 Best Ways To Get Paid To Watch Netflix
• 23 Ways To Get Paid To Write Reviews
• 21 Ways To Get Paid To Answer Questions

The post How To Get Paid To Review Books (14 Sites That Actually Pay) appeared first on Making Sense Of Cents.