Get Paid to Read Books: 6 Creative Gigs to Try
There’s a way to get paid to read books, but it does involve more than turning pages. Some readers earn money by writing or recording, while others help shape a book before it’s published.
If you enjoy reading and want to earn money, this article will walk you through real opportunities that pay, what to look out for, and other ABCs.
Legit ways to get paid to read books as side gigs
Below are 6 legit side gigs where reading turns into paid work, with clear requirements and money expectations.
From bookworm to side hustler
Find out how to get paid to read books and explore flexible ways to earn online.
1. Get paid to write book reviews for online book clubs and Publishers Weekly
Earning potential: Payment varies by publication, but rates often sit between $10 and $50 per review
Writing book reviews is the most realistic way people earn side cash to read books today. Instead of earning money just for reading, you are paid to write a useful review for publishing houses, companies, and indie authors.
Many online book club spaces, magazines, and sites like Publishers Weekly pay reviewers for finished pieces. This includes professional book reviews that follow clear rules and tight limits.
Most sites require a sample review before you are accepted, and experienced reviewers get first access. If you’re looking to gain experience, you can start with getting paid to write Amazon reviews.
Things to know:
- You write thoughtful reviews based on a book provided
- Openings stay limited across many publications and magazines
You are not paid for simply reading; you get paid to write, revise, and follow editor feedback. This won’t replace a full time job, but it works as one of several side gigs.
If you want to get paid to write reviews, expect competition, clear standards, and have patience. It suits an avid reader with:
- Strong writing skills
- Attention to detail
- Passion for reading
Over time, honest feedback builds trust with publishing houses and editors. In result, that trust leads to more paid review work.
2. Get paid to narrate audiobooks
Earning potential: Most companies pay per finished hour, often between $50 and $250, though payment depends on experience and quality. One finished hour can take four to six hours of actual work.
Audiobook narration is another way to earn income to read books. When you narrate audiobooks, you are paid for performance, not just for the book reading action.
Narrators record themselves reading aloud, add emotion, pace, and clear pronunciation, then handle basic edits. This makes narration a popular job for introverts who want to earn money from their passion for reading.
What to consider:
- You read the full book out loud and create clean audio files
- You audition first, and many narrators are not accepted
- You need a quiet space, a decent microphone, and consistent style
This work is rarely a full time job at first. Pay varies, and projects come and go.
What you need:
- Strong talking manners (fluent language, good pronunciation)
- Good equipment (mic, headphones, computer)
- Patience
For the right reader, audiobook gigs turn reading into a flexible, paid side hustle that fits real life schedules. Many narrators treat this as a hobby before building a steady career, learning from each job, improving skills, and growing confidence with every book project.
3. Get paid to proofread or edit books
Earning potential: Payment often ranges from $20 to $50 per hour or per project
Proofreading books and edits is reading-heavy freelance work that pays for accuracy, not speed. Unlike casual reading, you get paid to read books while fixing errors or improving clarity.
Proofreading focuses on grammar, spelling, and formatting, while editing looks at structure, tone, and flow.
Many readers start with online proofreading jobs and grow from there.
Things to know:
- Proofreaders read every book line by line and fix surface mistakes
- Editors read more deeply and suggest changes to style and meaning
- Work comes from publishing houses, companies, and independent writers
To get accepted, most sites ask for samples, tests, or a short course. This job suits an avid reader who enjoys reading but prefers quiet focus.
Results depend on a few core skills:
- Sharp grammar and spelling awareness
- High attention to detail
- Patience and consistency with long books
It’s rarely a full-time position, but it works well as a side hustle. If you like fixing mistakes, this turns reading into paid, useful work.
Over time, steady feedback, clean edits, and reliable quality help build trust with editors and publishers across genres. As a result, this can help you become a freelancer in publishing.
4. Get paid as a beta reader to review books before publishing
Earning potential: Beta readers usually earn between $10 and $60 per book, or a few cents per word.
Beta reading lets you get paid to read books before publishing. Beta readers read manuscripts closely and review books from a real reader’s point of view. Authors expect honest reactions, pacing notes, and clear feedback.
Things to know:
- You read unfinished book drafts before release
- You give structured opinion on plot, characters, and flow
- Work comes from writers, publishing houses, and small companies
Most beta reading work is freelance, and opportunities can be inconsistent. Many readers find gigs through community websites, online book club spaces, or direct outreach. Clear notes, useful examples, and thoughtful reviews are the way to go.
Skills you need:
- Strong attention to detail
- Clear written communication
- Familiarity with genres like fantasy or young adult
It works best as a side hustle for readers who love reading and are interested in the publishing industry.
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5. Get paid to write book summaries and guides
Earning potential: Summary platforms usually paid between $15 and $100 per finished book summary.
This option lets you get paid to read books and turn reading books into clear insights. Instead of a full review, you write structured summaries that explain key ideas.
Most platforms focus on nonfiction, where readers want fast takeaways. These sites earn money by selling subscriptions, courses, or learning tools.
As you go, you can even open your website and make money blogging about fictional books and its summaries,
Things to know:
- You read nonfiction books and pull out main points
- You write summaries, guides, or learning notes
- Work comes from companies, websites, and learning platforms
What skills you need:
- Clear writing and organization
- Subject knowledge
- Ability to create insight from complex ideas
- Consistent tone and style
Many writers start with one example summary to get accepted and over time, steady work can support a small career in educational publishing.
6. Get paid to fact-check or sensitivity-read books
Earning potential: Rates usually range from $30 to $75 per hour, or $100 to $500 per project.
Fact-checking and sensitivity reading are niche roles within publishing that focus on accuracy and respect. You are not hired to do casual book reviews. Instead, you review a book for factual errors or harmful portrayals.
Fact-checkers work mostly with nonfiction, while sensitivity readers often focus on fiction tied to specific genres, such as fantasy. This work is handled by publishing houses, magazines, or a single publication.
Things to know:
- You review content using real-world knowledge and sources
- Clients expect clear notes, not a full article rewrite
- Work is offered per job, not through a public site
Publishers usually hire people with proven experience, cultural knowledge, or professional background. Many reviewers are freelance writers with prior writing experience, while others come from academic or industry roles.
How much can you realistically earn by reading books?
Here’s a comparison of each option discussed, going from the highest-paid to the lowest-paid:
| Option | Typical payment range |
| Fact-checking or sensitivity reading | $30–$75 per hour or $100–$500 per book |
| Proofreading or edits | $20–$50 per hour or per project |
| Audiobook narration | $50–$250 per finished hour |
| Writing book summaries and guides | $15–$100 per summary |
| Writing book reviews | $10–$50 per review |
| Beta reading | $10–$60 per book |
Most people don’t do this as a full-time position. It’s more like extra cash on top of other work. Some weeks are busy, others are quiet. How much you earn usually comes down to how much time you put into each book. Care and effort matter, but steady pay is never guaranteed.
Paid reading work is looking like a slow or inconsistent side hustle?
It’s normal to feel stuck with book reviews. Paid reading work can move slowly. Openings are limited, account approvals take time, and many publications only accept a few reviewers at once. Even solid book reviews may sit unanswered for weeks. That doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. It’s just how publishing works.
One way around this is to mix reading-based work with simpler options. While you wait to hear back, or between projects, platforms like JumpTask can help.
JumpTask lets you earn without pitching, sending samples, or waiting for approval. You don’t need an account review or auditions. You just complete various online microtasks when you have time.
Again, it won’t be a full-time income, but it keeps cash moving while you wait.
Pair your reading passion with instant earnings
JumpTask lets you earn with simple tasks while exploring paid reading opportunities.
Key takeaways
- Getting paid to read usually means doing more than reading. Most book reviews and projects require you to write clear feedback or notes.
- Work in publishing is competitive. Reviewers often wait weeks to hear back from a publication or magazines.
- These options work best as a flexible job, not a full-time path. Many people mix them with other income.
- If you’re interested in reading-based work, focus on specific genres, stay patient, and keep it fun, not stressful.
FAQs
Yes, but usually through book reviews. You’re paid for the review, not reading alone, and editors choose reviewers carefully. Other times, you might get rewarded with free books.
Some work from Publishers Weekly, niche magazines, or a small publication may pay well, but those spots usually go to freelance writers with experience.
None, in the “just read and get paid” sense. The few high rates you’ll see are for editing, fact-checking, or narration, not simple reading.
Try legit review outlets like Publishers Weekly, plus magazines and a niche publication that runs book reviews. Listings often appear on a hiring page with an apply form and a link.
Monika Ivanauskaite
Content Manager
Meet Monika, your go-to person for turning side-hustle ambitions into real income. As a content manager at JumpTask, she makes digital earning opportunities easy to understand and follow. With a Communication degree from Vilnius Tech and studies in International Communication at Hanze, Monika knows how to turn tricky money earning topics into practical tips. She’s been where you are and knows how hard it can be to start. That’s why her advice is always honest and clear. No empty promises, just real ways to make money online.
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