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Home > Online Jobs > 6 Steps to Become a Book Reviewer and Get Paid to Read

6 Steps to Become a Book Reviewer and Get Paid to Read

editUpdated on: February 25, 2020 by anvitalis

Learning how to become a book reviewer and get paid to read is a skill you just can’t pass up. Check out all the companies that will pay you to read books. Do you love to read a good book? Have you ever thought about how to become a book reviewer and get paid to read?

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If you look at the Sunday paper, one of the most popular sections is the book reviews. People get paid to write those reviews about books that they read.

While there are many ways to make money working from home, if you love to read, writing book reviews is a great way to earn some extra cash.

How to Become a Book Reviewer

If this sounds like something you would enjoy, the first thing you need to know is what to do after you read a book.

You want to be able to write a compelling review that gives people an idea of the book without giving too much detail.

How to Write a Review

Whether you want to make some extra cash or are in school, learning to write a book review is a great skill to have.

If you haven’t ever written a book review, here are 6 steps to writing a great one!

#1 Write a Brief Summary

The best way to introduce your review is to start with a brief summary of the book. Keep it short and simple.

Do not give away too much detail and never give away the ending. You may be able to find a summary online as well.

#2 Talk about Important Aspects

Depending on the book you read, you will want to talk about the most important aspects of the book. This could be certain characters, the theme, the plot, or world-building.

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Dedicate a paragraph to each important aspect. Talk about how the author dealt with each aspect, what you liked and what you didn’t like.

#3 Include Quotes

Include quotes that go with those important aspects. It gives readers an example of what you are trying to say.

Make sure to choose quotes that are short and sweet.

#4 Write a Conclusion

Your conclusion should be a summary of your summary. Make it very short and sweet. Then, end with your overall opinion of the book.

#5 Give it a Rating

In conclusion, you can give the book a rating. Most reviewers will say something like I give this book 4 out 5 stars. If you want to really delve in, you can rate the book by category:

  • Character: Such as 3 out of 5 stars
  • Plot: Such as 4 out of 5 stars
  • World-building: Such as 2 out of 5 stars

#6 Offer Similar Books

This is optional, but to close your review, you could offer readers a similar book. Here is an example:

If you liked the main character in “X book,” you will love the main character of this book!”

If you need to visualize a review, check out these 17 Book Review Examples to Help You Write the Perfect Review.

Companies that Pay for You to Read

There are many companies out there offering to pay you to write a book review. Keep in mind that not all companies pay you cash to write a book review.

Some companies will compensate you with a free book. Additionally, there are numerous scams out there.

Scams that we have found include companies claiming to hire book reviewers, but once they get the review, they do not compensate the reviewer.

So, we have compiled a list of companies that pay for you to read and write reviews that are legitimate!

Any Subject Books

This company pays book reviewers, but the pay all depends on how long the book is, the deadline you have to do it in, and the length of your review.

Currently, this site does not need any more book reviewers, but you will want to keep the page bookmarked. Once they need more, you will want to be the first to know.

Kirkus

As one of the best-known companies for hiring book reviews, the pay is based on your experience. Keep in mind that this is an extra income as work may not be reliable.

You may get a book to review one month and then not again for a month or two. Book reviews are to be submitted within 2-weeks of agreeing to do them.

You will need to write at least 350-words reviewing the book. Payment is made within 60-days of your review.

Online Book Club

Get paid between $5 to $60 per review you do. Not only do you get paid, but you also get free books. It’s a win-win for those who love to read.

For the company to gauge how well you review books, your first book review will only be a free book. After that review, you will be able to take on paid reviews.

You also do not have to give a good review. With these book reviews, you are being paid to give honest reviews.

The US Review of Books

The US Review of books regularly needs freelancers that are willing to write book reviews. To write reviews, you will need to contact the editor with a resume, sample work, and 2 references.

Find the editor’s email, here. Once approved, book titles are posted for potential reviews. You are asked to read the list and return your preferences.

Book reviews will be assigned in order of reviewer request and on a best-fit-basis. Get paid monthly via a mailed check.

Wellesley Centers for Women

You will need to contact the editor via email to pitch your book reviewing services. Paid book reviewers usually get paid $100 per review and a subscription to their magazine.

Astronomy

This is an online magazine company that will pay you to write reviews. However, they want to know what books interest you.

Basically, you pitch a desired review for a book you have read or want to read. The editor will check out your inquiry and get back to you.

Be sure to include specific information about the book, the ISBN number, publication date, price, and why you want to write the review for this book.

Booklist

Don’t fit in one set genre? Booklist offers book reviewers a wide range of different genres to choose from.

You can write reviews for submission to their website or their magazine. Each review pays $15. If the review gets rejected, you still get $5.

Additionally, you can earn extra money by writing blog posts. They pay $12.50 per blog post you write.

To get started, contact the editor and let them know the genre you are interested in reading and reviewing.

Na’amat USA

Na’amat is an organization that is dedicated to helping Israeli-American women and children.

Its content focuses on this mission, and pays for book reviewers to review books with Jewish content.

To find out more about becoming a reviewer, you will need to contact the organization via email. Ask for more details and offer your services.

The Writer

This is an online magazine company. They pay reviewers for accepted pitched stores and book reviews.

If you have read a book that you would like to get paid to review, send your pitch to the editor. You will hear back in 2-weeks on whether or not they will publish your review.

Publishers Weekly

This is a digital magazine that is dedicated to helping authors, publishers, and other writers. They don’t always have jobs for reviewers, but they are good to have in your basket.

On their career page, you can find openings for reviewers from time to time. So, if you don’t see one now, keep checking back.

Read Dream Relax

This is a blog that considers books an obsession. The blog is dedicated to book reviews in all genres, and wants reviewers to join their team.

You will need to send an email to the blog owner, Laura. Make sure you send current review samples. You should hear back within a week if you are a good fit for the blog.

In addition to sending samples, be sure to inquire about pay rate and length of reviews for your personal information.

Companies that Give You Free Books to Read

If you are not looking to do reviews for cash, you can do reviews that pay you in FREE books!

Here are some companies that compensate you with free books in exchange for honest reviews:

Page Chaser

If you are just looking to expand your library, this company compensates you with free books. There is no monetary compensation, however.

In order to get a free book, your written review must be at least 200-words. And, you will need to post the review on your own personal blog.

This company used to be called Book Look Bloggers, however, it has recently changed its name to Page Chaser.

You can find book reviewer guidelines, here.

Bethany House

If you are a blogger, this is a great way for you to get content on your blog and get free books! Additionally, this would make for a great affiliate link.

Books you will be asked to review will be Christian fiction or nonfiction. So, if you aren’t into that religion, you may not like the books.

All reviews are only 75 words not including the plot synopsis. You will post your review to retailer sites like Barnes & Noble as well as on your own personal blog.

You are allowed to request a title to review each month, but it will be on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Book Browse

Want to give someone a first impression of a book? With Book Browse, reviewers get the chance to get a first look at all the books before they are even published.

You can get a new book once per month, and you have about 4-weeks to review it. Reviews will need to be 50 words to 300 words.

You want reviews to be your true opinion of the book not just a plot summary of the book.

Chicago Book Review

If you want to contribute to Chicago Book Review, you will need to send an email to [email protected].

If you are chosen as a reviewer, you will be given books to review based on their publication dates, so deadlines are crucial.

They recommend reading this post before sending an email to make sure you are a good fit.

MoodyPress

This publishing company is seeking exposure for its published books. They want real, honest, online book reviews.

So, if you have a blog as well as an account with an online book retailer, you can review for MoodyPress. Reviews are compensated with MoodyPress Publishers products.

You get to choose from a variety of books. They are then shipped to you within 7 to 10 business days. You will have 60-days to review the book on your blog and on the retail site.

Net Galley

Get digital books for giving regular book reviews. When you review a book with Net Galley, you receive free books for doing it.

Additionally, as a reviewer, you become a part of the community. So, you can discuss books with others, vote on cover photos, and network with other reviewers and authors.

Springer

Write a review, get a free book with Springer. You want your skills to be honed into scientific, medical, and technical pieces.

Once you are accepted as a reviewer, you will have 6-months of online access. Review up to 10 selections at a time. Once your review is done, you will receive a hard copy of the book.

Beware of Scams

As stated above, there are companies out there that make promises and never deliver. If you are worried a company may not deliver, you can always do your research.

Go to the Better Business Bureau and look up the company. Look for reviews and what the company is rated.

If you cannot find the company on the BBB, do a Google search of the company with the word scam after it. This will bring up any scams that may have happened with said company.

Additionally, if any company seems too good to be true, it probably is!

 

Have you had any experience with these companies that pay for you to read? If so, share your experiences in the comments below!

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