Side Hustle Idea: 11 Ways to Make Money Reading Books

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Last Updated on November 28, 2024 by Nell Marie

Imagine getting paid to do something you already love—reading books!

Whether you’re a bookworm who devours novels or someone who enjoys analyzing and sharing your thoughts on what you’ve read, there are plenty of ways to turn that passion into extra cash.

From proofreading and reviewing books to narrating audiobooks or even starting your own book blog, the opportunities are endless.

The best part?

Many of these gigs let you work from home, making it a dream come true for anyone who loves to curl up with a good book.

Let’s dive into some of the fun and creative ways you can make money reading books!

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11 Ways to Make Money Reading Books

This blog is geared toward the chronically ill who are unable to work traditional jobs outside the home due to their illnesses. While some of us cannot work even from home or are unable to make an income due to being on disability, there are many more who can work flexible jobs from home and want to but don’t know where to start.

That’s where this blog comes into play. This is where I help my fellow spoonies in the way I can- legitimate businesses or jobs for spoonies.

In the first article, I’m talking about ways to make money reading. I chose this topic to start the blog off with because I know a lot of my spoonie friends love to read. I see the IG stories and posts with their books and why not find a way to get paid for reading?

So with your passion for reading and mine for helping you monetize that love, let’s look at the 11 ways to make money reading that I feel work the best for people who want to do that with flexibility from home.

1- Proofreading & Editing

If you have a keen eye for detail and a love for books, proofreading and editing could be your sweet spot.

Authors and publishers are always looking for skilled proofreaders to catch those pesky typos and grammar mistakes.

Editors take it a step further, polishing the content for clarity and flow.

What exactly do proofreaders do for authors?

A proofreader is like the final clean-up crew for an author’s book before it’s published.

Their job is to go through the manuscript with a fine-tooth comb, catching all those little typos, grammar mistakes, and awkward punctuation that might have been missed earlier.

They make sure everything looks polished and professional, so readers aren’t distracted by any silly errors.

But it’s not just about fixing spelling mistakes. Proofreaders also keep an eye out for consistency—making sure character names don’t change halfway through, places are described the same way every time, and that the overall formatting is on point.

They’ll check things like chapter headings and page numbers to make sure everything lines up nicely.

Basically, a proofreader ensures the book is as smooth and error-free as possible, helping the author put their best foot forward before the book hits the shelves.

They’re the last step in making sure the book is ready for readers to dive in without any hiccups.

You can find jobs on platforms like

or even through writing communities on social media.

Whether you’re working with indie authors or larger publishing houses, this gig can pay anywhere from $15 to $50 per hour, depending on your experience.

If you need training to proofread, I highly recommend this course.

2- Book Reviewer

If you love reading and sharing your thoughts on books, becoming a paid book reviewer is a fantastic way to turn that passion into profit.

What exactly is a book reviewer?

A book reviewer is someone who gets to read books and then share their honest thoughts about them—kind of like giving a friend a recommendation but on a bigger scale.

After finishing a book, the reviewer writes up a summary of the story, talks about what they liked or didn’t like, and gives their overall opinion.

It’s all about helping other readers decide if a book is worth their time.

Book reviewers usually focus on things like the plot, characters, writing style, and how the book made them feel.

Some might dive deep into themes and messages, while others might just share whether it was a fun read or not.

Reviewers often get their hands on books before they’re released, especially if they’re reviewing for a publisher, website, or blog.

Book reviewers can post their reviews on platforms like Goodreads, Amazon, or their own blogs.

Some even get paid for their reviews through sites that connect them with publishers or authors looking for feedback.

It’s a great way to turn a love for reading into something that can help guide others and maybe even make a little extra cash.

You can find companies who pay for reviews at:

Websites like Online Book Club might pay around $5 to $60 per review, depending on the book and the length of the review. Kirkus Reviews, which is more established, pays about $50 to $100 per review. While the pay might not be huge, it’s a great way to get free books and a little extra cash on the side.

Plus, if you build a solid reputation, you might even score more lucrative gigs with bigger publishers or media outlets.

3- Beta Reader

Being a beta reader means you get to read a book before anyone else and help the author make it even better.

You’ll give feedback on everything from the plot and characters to pacing and flow.

To land beta reading gigs, try connecting with authors and writing groups online, check out freelance sites like Upwork and Fiverr, or join beta reader services like BetaBooks.

When it comes to pay, beginners usually earn between $25 to $100 per manuscript. As you get more experienced and build a reputation, you could make $100 to $300 or more.

It’s a great side hustle that not only puts you at the forefront of new books but also lets you make a bit of extra cash while doing something you love.

Beta Reader Jobs:

While it may not be a full-time income, it’s a fun way to earn some extra cash while indulging in your love of reading.

Check out these tips about becoming a beta reader!

4- Audiobook Narrator

If you’ve got a smooth, engaging voice and love reading out loud, audiobook narration might be the perfect gig for you.

Your job as an audiobook narrator would be to bring the story to life, using your voice to convey emotions, personalities, and the overall tone of the book.

It’s a creative way to connect with stories and share them with listeners.

Getting started in audiobook narration is easier than you might think.

Platforms like ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) connect narrators with authors who need their books recorded.

You can audition for projects that interest you, and if selected, you’ll work directly with the author or publisher to record the audiobook.

Voices.com is another great platform where you can find voiceover jobs, including audiobook narration.

For those who want to work more independently, reaching out directly to indie authors or small publishers can also open up opportunities.

When it comes to pay, audiobook narrators typically earn between $50 to $250 per finished hour of narration.

This rate can vary depending on your experience, the complexity of the book, and whether you’re working on royalty share deals, where you earn a percentage of the audiobook sales.

5- Book Blogger

Starting a book blog is a great way to turn your passion for literature into a source of income while connecting with fellow book lovers.

If you love diving into new reads and sharing your thoughts, a book blog allows you to do just that, all while potentially earning money.

To get started, you’ll need to choose a platform to host your blog. WordPress and Squarespace are popular options because they offer user-friendly interfaces and customizable templates to help you create a visually appealing site.

(WordPress.org is the gold standard for pro bloggers.)

Once you’ve set up your blog, you can begin posting content like book reviews, author interviews, reading lists, and literary discussions.

Regular, high-quality content will attract readers who share your interests and help build a loyal following.

When it comes to monetization, there are several avenues you can explore:

Affiliate Marketing: By signing up for affiliate programs with online retailers like Amazon or Book Depository, you can earn a commission on books purchased through links on your blog. Include these affiliate links in your reviews and reading lists to generate passive income.

Sponsored Posts: As your blog grows, publishers or authors might approach you to write sponsored posts. These are paid articles where you promote a book or author, often in exchange for a fee. Make sure to disclose any sponsored content to maintain trust with your readers.

Digital Products: Creating and selling digital products like e-books, reading guides, or printable book trackers can be a lucrative addition to your blog. These products provide extra value to your readers and can be sold directly through your blog or platforms like Etsy.

Ad Revenue: Once you have a steady stream of visitors, you can monetize through ad networks like Google AdSense and Mediavine. These ads will appear on your blog, and you’ll earn money based on clicks or impressions.

Membership or Patreon: Offering exclusive content through a membership or Patreon account allows your most dedicated readers to support your blog financially. In return, you can provide them with special perks like early access to posts, exclusive reviews, or personalized recommendations.

Building a successful book blog takes time and effort, but with consistent posting, engagement with your audience, and smart monetization strategies, it’s possible to turn your love for books into a rewarding venture.

Plus, you’ll be part of a vibrant community of book enthusiasts and have the chance to shape conversations around literature.

Bloggers can make anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $100,000+ a year, depending on their niche, audience size, and monetization methods.

Book Bloggers to Follow:

Tools & Blogging Resources:

Blogging Vlogs:

If you’re brand new to blogging then I highly recommend Lisa’s blogging course.

6- Create and Sell Bookish Merch

If you’re crafty or have a flair for design, creating and selling bookish merchandise can be a fun and profitable venture.

From custom bookmarks and tote bags to mugs and book covers, there’s no limit to the book-themed items you can create.

Using Canva, a user-friendly graphic design tool, you can easily craft eye-catching designs for your products.

Canva offers a range of templates and design elements that make it simple to create professional-quality graphics, even if you’re not a design pro.

You’ll need to read their terms of use before creating products with any of their elements.

Here’s how you can turn your designs into cash:

Print on Demand Companies: Print on demand (POD) services like Printful, Teespring, Society6, and Zazzle let you upload your designs and have them printed on various products like mugs, t-shirts, and tote bags. These platforms handle printing, shipping, and customer service, so you don’t need to worry about inventory or fulfillment. Simply upload your designs, set your prices, and let the POD service take care of the rest.

Etsy: Etsy is a fantastic marketplace for handmade and custom items. You can set up an Etsy shop to sell your bookish merchandise designs. From custom bookmarks to literary-themed home décor, Etsy provides a platform to reach a community of book lovers who are looking for unique and personalized items. The platform also offers tools to help manage your store and connect with customers.

Redbubble: Redbubble is another great platform for selling your designs. After creating your book-themed artwork in Canva, you can upload it to Redbubble and sell it on a variety of products, like phone cases, stickers, and apparel. Redbubble handles the production and shipping, while you earn a commission on each sale. It’s a convenient way to showcase your designs to a global audience.

Your Own Online Store: Setting up your own online store with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Big Cartel gives you complete control over your brand and sales. Use Canva to design your product visuals and marketing materials, and then integrate with a POD service to handle production and shipping. While it requires more effort to manage, having your own store allows for a tailored brand experience and direct customer relationships.

Social Media and Marketplaces: Promote your bookish merchandise using social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. Share your products, engage with your audience, and run promotions or giveaways to attract more customers. Joining book-related forums and groups can also help you connect with potential buyers and spread the word about your products.

The key to success in selling bookish merchandise is to create designs that resonate with your audience.

Canva makes it easy to craft visually appealing products that reflect the interests of book lovers.

With the right niche, effective marketing, and a bit of creativity, you can turn your book-themed designs into a significant source of income while doing something you love.

Income potential is going to vary greatly depending upon what you’re creating, where you’re selling, and if you’re doing print on demand or making the products yourself.

7- YouTube Channel

Starting a YouTube channel focused on books can be a fantastic and lucrative way to share your love for literature while earning money. Whether you’re diving into book reviews, conducting author interviews, or discussing literary topics, YouTube provides a platform to reach a global audience and connect with fellow book enthusiasts.

Here’s how to monetize your YouTube channel and what you can potentially earn:

Ad Revenue: Once your channel meets YouTube’s Partner Program requirements (1,000 subscribers and 4,000 watch hours in the past 12 months), you can start earning money from ads placed on your videos. According to Gigworker, “The average YouTuber earns between $0.01 and $0.03 per ad view, translating to about $18 per 1,000 views.”

According to Gigworker, the average pay for US YouTubers in 2022 was $1,154 per week and $4,616 per month.

Sponsored Videos: As your channel grows, you might attract sponsorship deals from publishers, authors, or book-related brands. Sponsored content involves promoting a product or service in your videos in exchange for payment. Rates for sponsored videos can range from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on your channel size and audience engagement.

Affiliate Marketing: You can earn money by promoting books or book-related products through affiliate links. When your viewers purchase items through these links, you earn a commission. Affiliate programs such as Amazon Associates or Books a Million are popular options. Earnings will depend on the volume of sales generated through your links.

Merchandise Sales: With a dedicated following, you can create and sell your own merchandise, such as book-themed t-shirts, mugs, or tote bags. Platforms like Teespring or Redbubble can help you set up and sell your merchandise. Your income from merch sales will depend on your designs’ popularity and how well you market them to your audience.

Channel Memberships and Patreon: YouTube offers channel memberships, where viewers can pay a monthly fee for exclusive perks. Platforms like Patreon allow your fans to support you directly in exchange for special content, early access to videos, or other rewards. Memberships and Patreon support can provide a steady income stream as your channel grows.

Building a successful YouTube channel takes time, consistency, and creativity, but with dedication, the earning potential can be significant.

Engage with your viewers, create quality content, and explore various monetization strategies to maximize your income.

Check out Lisa Bass’s Video/YouTube Masterclass for free!

8- Paid or Free Book Review Newsletter

Running a book review newsletter can be a fantastic way to share your passion for literature and make money while doing it.

By curating book recommendations, reviews, and literary news, you can build a dedicated following of subscribers who value your insights.

Platforms like Substack make it easy to launch and manage your newsletter, offering both free and paid subscription options.

Monetizing Your Newsletter:

Affiliate Links: Incorporate affiliate links to books and book-related products in your newsletter. When your subscribers purchase through these links, you earn a commission. Affiliate programs from online bookstores like Amazon Associates or Books a Million can be especially lucrative if your recommendations drive significant sales.

Sponsored Content: Partner with authors, publishers, or book-related brands to feature sponsored content in your newsletter. This might include sponsored book reviews, advertisements, or special promotions. Rates for sponsored content can vary based on your subscriber count and engagement, but they can be a substantial source of income.

Paid Subscription Model: With Substack, you can offer premium content to paying subscribers. This model allows you to charge a subscription fee for exclusive content, such as in-depth reviews, author interviews, or access to special book lists. Subscription fees typically range from $5 to $15 per month, depending on the value and frequency of the content you provide.

Free and Paid Tiers: You can also use a combination of free and paid tiers. Offer general book recommendations and reviews for free, and provide exclusive, more detailed content or perks to your paying subscribers. This tiered approach can help attract a wider audience while still generating revenue from your most dedicated readers.

Donations: Some newsletters also incorporate donation options, where readers can support your work through one-time or recurring contributions. Platforms like Substack allow you to set up donation buttons for this purpose.

Getting Started with Substack:

  1. Set Up Your Newsletter: Create a Substack account and design your newsletter layout. Substack offers customizable templates and a straightforward interface to help you get started.
  2. Build Your Audience: Promote your newsletter through social media, book forums, and collaborations with other book influencers to attract subscribers. Consistent, high-quality content is key to growing your audience.
  3. Monetize Your Content: Decide on your monetization strategy, whether it’s through affiliate links, sponsored content, or a paid subscription model. Use Substack’s built-in tools to manage subscriptions and track performance.
  4. Engage with Your Subscribers: Interact with your readers, respond to their feedback, and continuously refine your content to keep them engaged and satisfied.

What you can make with a paid or free newsletter will vary greatly depending on the size of your audience, how you choose to monetize your newsletter, and how much you charge with your paid newsletter.

Running a book review newsletter on Substack can turn your love for literature into a rewarding venture.

With the right approach, you can build a loyal subscriber base and generate a steady income while sharing your bookish passion with the world.

Make money with Substack:

9- Virtual Assistant for an Author

Being a virtual assistant for a book author can be a fantastic way to make money if you’re organized and enjoy working behind the scenes.

Authors often need help managing various tasks that come with writing and publishing a book, and that’s where a virtual assistant (VA) steps in.

Your responsibilities might include handling email correspondence, scheduling book signings or promotional events, managing social media accounts, and even assisting with research or editing tasks.

As a VA, you might also help with administrative tasks like organizing manuscripts, keeping track of deadlines, or coordinating with publishers and editors.

This role can be especially appealing if you have a knack for multitasking and a keen interest in the book industry.

You can find virtual assistant positions through job boards like Upwork or Freelancer, Fiverr, and FB groups like this one, or by networking directly with authors through writing communities and social media platforms.

Many authors, especially indie ones, are on the lookout for reliable VAs who can help streamline their workload.

Pay rates for virtual assistants can vary widely, but you can expect to earn anywhere from $20 to $50 per hour depending on your experience and the scope of work.

Working as a virtual assistant for a book author not only provides a steady income but also offers the chance to be involved in the creative process and gain insight into the publishing world.

Plus, you’ll be supporting authors in their journey to share their stories with the world!

If you need VA training, I recommend The Virtual Savvy.

Need individual courses that fit your specific needs? Check out the Fully Book VA courses.

10- Book Club on Patreon

Hosting a book club on Patreon is a fantastic way to share your passion for reading while earning income.

By setting up a membership-based community, you can offer patrons access to exclusive content such as book selections, in-depth discussions, and interactive events.

With different membership tiers, you can provide a range of benefits—from basic access to book discussions to premium perks like author interviews and personalized recommendations.

Monetizing through monthly subscription fees, special events, and even book-themed merchandise can turn your book club into a profitable venture.

It’s a great way to connect with fellow book lovers and build a dedicated following while generating a steady income.

If you’d like to explore the idea of membership sites outside of Patreon, you’ll want to watch this video from Gillian Perkins about how she makes 10k a month with hers!

11- Write about Books on Medium

Writing about books on Medium is a great way to share your literary insights and earn money at the same time.

By publishing book reviews, literary analysis, or book recommendations on Medium, you can attract readers who share your passion for literature.

Medium’s Partner Program allows you to earn money based on the engagement your stories receive, such as reads, claps, and time spent on your articles.

With the right mix of compelling content and effective promotion, you can build a following and generate income through Medium’s platform.

It’s a fantastic opportunity to combine your love for books with potential earnings, all while reaching a wider audience.

I encourage you to watch this playlist from Hudson Rennie all about his experience with Medium and how that can help you with your account.

Final Tips for Making Money Out of Your Love of Reading

If you love reading, consider opportunities like writing book reviews, beta reading manuscripts, or starting a book club.

These activities allow you to work at your own pace and generate income through affiliate links, sponsored content, or subscription models.

To make the most of these opportunities, focus on what you enjoy about books and stay consistent with your efforts.

Building connections with other book enthusiasts and exploring multiple income streams can help you create a steady source of income.

Tools like Canva for designing book-related merchandise or Substack for running a newsletter can make your work easier and more effective.

With creativity and persistence, you can turn your passion for books into a fulfilling and flexible way to earn from home.

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