If you can get lost in a good book for hours and love sharing your thoughts on what you read, that passion can actually open up a pretty decent side hustle. There are tons of ways book lovers are making extra cash these days just by doing what they already enjoy. I’m about to walk you through how to start turning your love of reading into something that pays.
TL;DR: Your Quick Guide to Bookish Side Hustles
Turning your love of reading into a profitable side hustle is actually pretty doable. You could earn money reviewing books, editing manuscripts, starting a book blog, becoming an audiobook narrator, or selling curated book boxes, to name a few options. The key is figuring out what fits your skills and lifestyle, then learning how to market yourself.
Why Book Lovers Are Well Suited for Side Hustles
Readers already have a lot going for them that directly lines up with some very real earning options. A keen eye for grammar, an ability to quickly absorb new ideas, and a natural curiosity all come into play. More companies, publishers, and individual authors need people who get books to help them connect with readers, polish their writing, and market new releases. Websites like Kirkus Reviews and Booklist Online regularly use freelance reviewers, making this path even more accessible.
Bookthemed side hustles also let you work from anywhere, often on your own schedule. This flexibility is pretty handy if you have a day job or family obligations. Plus, the publishing and online content scenes just keep growing, so there’s always fresh demand for book lovers who want to pitch in. If you’re eager to get involved, you’ll find that this field appreciates people who genuinely care about literature, which makes your passion a real asset.
Earning Options for Book Lovers
There’s a wider variety of ways to earn than you might guess. Here are some of the most popular paths you could try:
- Freelance Book Reviewing: Get paid to read books and share your honest opinions for blogs, magazines, and author websites.
- Proofreading and Editing: Help authors or publishers polish up manuscripts, articles, or web content. Remote gigs in this area are everywhere.
- Book Blogging: Start your own site where you review, recommend, or curate reading lists. Monetizing through ads, sponsored posts, or affiliate links can actually add up.
- Audiobook Narration: If you enjoy reading out loud and have a decent microphone and a quiet spot, narrating for platforms like ACX (Audiobook Creation Exchange) can be pretty rewarding.
- Book Subscription Boxes: Curate and sell themed book boxes on Etsy, your own website, or platforms like Cratejoy.
- Online Tutoring or Coaching: If you have a way with literature or grammar, tutoring students virtually is a steady option.
- Book Affiliate Marketing: If you’re already recommending books, using affiliate links from retailers like Amazon lets you earn a commission when someone buys based on your suggestion.
Other than these core options, you could branch into related roles like running a book-themed YouTube channel or launching a podcast where you interview indie authors and discuss new releases. There’s also room to get creative by designing bookish merchandise, running virtual book clubs, or offering beta reading services, which many indie writers need before publishing.
Getting Started: Steps to Build a Profitable Reading Side Hustle
If a side hustle around books sounds like your thing, getting started is pretty straightforward.
- Pick a Direction: Think about your favorite aspects of reading. Do you like analyzing books? Would you enjoy helping writers? Maybe you’re obsessed with fantasy and want to start a niche blog?
- Create a Presence: Whether it’s through a freelancing profile (like Upwork), your own website, or a Medium blog, having a home for your work helps potential clients find you. If starting a website feels daunting, Wealthy Affiliate offers easy tools and training to get set up.
- Build a Portfolio: Even a few sample book reviews, edited chapters, or mock podcast intros look great to future clients. Don’t be afraid to work for free early on to bulk up your samples.
- Start Pitching: Plenty of sites post calls for book reviewers, editors, or narrators each week. Look for submission guidelines and send personalized pitches including your relevant work and what you love about books.
- Track Your Progress: Keep tabs on what you earn, who you work with, and what kinds of work you actually enjoy most. This data helps you figure out where to put your energy next.
Remember that building your reputation and skills takes time, but every project helps you improve and connect with more people. Don’t hesitate to ask for feedback or testimonials, these can be valuable when pitching for future opportunities. As your confidence grows, you’ll also figure out which niches or roles are the best fit for your personality and schedule.
Roadblocks and Reality Checks
No side hustle is all roses. Here are some common challenges to watch for as you turn your bookish hobby into something that pays:
- Picky Pay: Book reviews typically pay $5, $100 each, and editing gigs can range a lot based on experience. At first, you might earn more in free books than dollars. In the beginning, don’t expect every opportunity to pay top dollar, choose a mix of paid work and portfolio-building projects.
- Time Management: Reading, writing, and revising takes time. Make sure you balance your side hustle with work, school, or family so it stays enjoyable. Setting aside designated hours each week (maybe just evenings or weekends) helps prevent overwhelm, keeping your passion front and center.
- Finding Clients: Landing your first few gigs can take longer than you want, but persistence usually pays off. Joining communities helps you network and track your progress. Don’t be discouraged if you face rejections, each “no” brings you closer to a “yes.”
- Burnout: If your TBR pile starts to feel like homework, take a step back and remind yourself why you started. Only say yes to projects you’re genuinely excited about. Listen to your limits, and never be afraid to press pause or try something new if you’re starting to lose your spark.
Level Up: Pro Tips to Make Your Book Side Hustle Shine
Once you’re up and running, these strategies can help you get more out of your efforts:
- Niche Down: Focusing on a genre (mystery, romance, YA, scifi), a specific author, or a book format (graphic novels, audiobooks) makes you easier to find and promotes your expertise.
- Polish Your Online Presence: Consistent branding and a full portfolio (even if you’re just starting out) help you look more professional right away.
- Invest in the Right Tools: For narrators, a simple microphone upgrade goes a long way. Editors should learn the basics of tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor. Bloggers can also try keyword research tools to get their content seen by more readers.
- Connect and Collaborate: Join Facebook groups for book reviewers, connect on BookTok, or consider linking up with indie authors, where you can help authors shape their stories. You could even volunteer to moderate book discussions or guest post on fellow book blogs to build your network even faster.
Standing out isn’t just about what you offer but also about how you interact with the community. Share your process, recommend hidden gems, and encourage others, these small efforts often lead to bigger opportunities and genuine connections.
Turning Pages into Profit
Bookworms have a pretty handy set of money making options right at their fingertips. Whether you jump in as a reviewer, blogger, editor, or even a subscription box curator, you’ll get to connect with people who care about books as much as you do. Growing your network, building a simple online portfolio, and fine-tuning your niche can help boost your visibility. Not every book side hustle will get you rich quick, but these little wins can add up to a meaningful stream of extra cash. Even if you start small, consistent effort can gradually lead to bigger clients and bolder projects you actually look forward to doing.
Action Plan: Start Your Own Book Side Hustle
- Pinpoint your favorite readingrelated tasks: reviewing, editing, narrating, curating, or recommending.
- Set up a simple online portfolio or website (try Wealthy Affiliate if you need a starting point).
- Scout out a few reputable sites or platforms hiring book lovers and send out your first pitches.
- Continue learning through bookish forums, YouTube tutorials, and online courses as you go. Every new skill you learn will keep you ahead in this growing market.
- Be patient as you build relationships. The best gigs often come through word of mouth. Keep track of your wins, stay active in your communities, and don’t hesitate to ask others for advice or support along the way.
Looking for a training platform that actually works?
I’ve put together a full walkthrough of the affiliate marketing training that helped me build everything I have today. It’s practical, beginner-friendly, and you can try it out for free to see if it suits you.
Take a look at my honest review and see if it’s the right fit for you.
Turn Your Passion into Earnings
Get the Tools, Training and Support you need. All in One Place
Join a a Vibrant and Global Community of
Marketers and Entrepreneurs from Around the World
FAQ: Side Hustles for Book Lovers
Can I really make money just by reading books?
Yes, there are real opportunities. Reviewing, editing, helping with book launches, or affiliate marketing all pay something, though pay rates can be low at first.
Do I need special qualifications?
No degree required. Portfolio work, positive testimonials, and proof of strong reading and writing skills matter much more in the book world than credentials.
How long does it take to start earning?
Most people land their first paid gig within a few weeks of pitching. Growing your network definitely helps.
Where should I look for bookrelated gigs?
Check out job boards on Upwork, Fiverr, Reedsy, or connect with indie authors directly. Facebook groups for bloggers or book reviewers also post leads regularly.
Make Reading Pay Off: My Take on Bookish Side Hustles
Books have always been my escape, but finding ways to earn from that passion has honestly transformed my free time into something that’s both fun and financially rewarding. Whether you want to build a following with book reviews, help shape someone’s first novel, or just stock your shelf with free reads, there’s a book side hustle out there for pretty much every reader. My suggestion? Try out a few approaches, connect with other book lovers, and don’t be afraid to get a bit creative with how you put your love of reading to work.
If you’re looking for resources to start a blog or build your bookish brand, Wealthy Affiliate makes it super simple to launch an online presence even if you have zero tech skills. If tracking your reading adventure is more your style, Benable is a neat way to show off and share your book lists.
Want to help authors in completely new ways? Whatever you pick, turning your love of reading into a smart side hustle is totally within reach. You’ve got the skills, now go find your first gig and see how reading can do more than fill your shelves. Drop your favorite book side hustle ideas or wins in the comments. I’m always on the hunt for inspiration!
Let’s make it happen!
