by Elton Gahr

Created on: June 21, 2009

Reading is one of the most important things that any writer can do and something that is generally enjoyable. Yet in our busy days it is sometimes difficult to find the time to sit down and read a book. One thing that may help is if reading that book can help you earn a few dollars. But how do you make money writing a book review?

The first thing you must understand is that publishers and authors need book reviews. They are actively seeking them out, especially for the smaller market books where five thousand copies sold isn't considered a bad run a single review that sells ten copies of the book is worth something to them and if you have a blog or similar you may even be able to get advanced review copies sent to you from the publisher for free. Simply go to Amazon look for the books you are interested in reviewing, write down the publisher and ISBN and write to them. It's not a sure thing but getting a free book is a sort of payment.

Once you have read the book you need to look for sites to publish the review. Helium is an excellent place for book reviews. Not only do you get an upfront payment, but if you suggest a book there is an excellent chance you will get the empty title bonus of a dollar and residual pay as well. If you don't mind writing multiple reviews there are other sites as well. Review Stream typically pays 40 cents not the 2.00 they advertise but the articles are short and if you are reviewing many things it can add up. Search the web for other sites and you will likely find multiple places interested in your opinions.

If you want to go the full rout it may even be possible to write review for your local newspaper. Small local news papers are typically quite interested in getting content that isn't available in the bigger papers. It likely won't be a lot of money but if you can get ten or twenty small newspapers to pay you five dollars a week for a book review it can start adding up to a reasonable income as well as preparing you for bigger things.

With so many publishers and book authors desperately searching for book reviews there is a real market for book reviews and if you are already reading the books it isn't that much work to write down your opinions of the book. Not only this but as a writer thinking about why you like books is an excellent way to improve your skills as a reader which will allow you to become a better writer.

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