Everyone has opinions, and the more passionate we are about something, the stronger those opinions tend to be. As a book lover, wouldn’t you like to get paid to express your opinions on books?
Unfortunately, you’ll need a little more than just passion. Becoming a professional book reviewer or critic takes a lot of planning and work, but it is definitely possible. In this post, we’ll show you the path to your dream job.
How to Become a Book Reviewer
Below are 10 essential tips for anyone interested in becoming a book reviewer.
1. Read a lot of books.
If you’re interested in becoming a professional book reviewer or critic, I’m guessing you already have a love for books. If not, you should probably consider another line of work, because reading won’t get any more enjoyable once you start working with deadlines.
However many books you currently read, challenge yourself to read more. This way, you’ll get used to reading “on-demand” and processing your reactions to a book more effectively (a reading journal can be a great help when it comes to reflecting on what you’ve read).
But of course, the most important reason you should read as many books as you can is so you have a thorough understanding of your chosen genre(s), their history, sub-genres, most influential authors, and important works.
It also helps to study other book reviews. Aspiring writers are often advised to read abundantly from their genre if they want to improve their craft; it’s no different for you as a book reviewer! Find a few top-notch reviewers whose style you admire, and think of how you can take that style add your own unique voice.
2. Review books for free.
Thanks to sites like Amazon, Goodreads, and pretty much every social media platform, anyone can be a reviewer these days.
Now I understand that if you’re reading this post, chances are you’re looking to become a professional book reviewer, as in one that actually gets paid.
And that’s definitely possible—but in the meantime, you can hone your review skills by writing reviews for free. You can even get feedback on your reviews with features like Amazon’s “helpful” votes, which lets other users give you a thumbs-up for your helpfulness.
If you’ve never written a review before, check out our tips on how to write a book review, then start practicing right away!
3. Follow review guidelines.
Regardless of which platform you’re using, it’s important that you follow review guidelines carefully.
This can save you from a lot of rejections or requests for rewrites. Some platforms are very particular about the format they want in reviews, so always do your homework if you want to save time and make a good impression.
If you’re writing on your own blog or website, it can still be helpful to follow a general format so that you get used to adhering to guidelines, but also so your readers can expect some consistency (for example, you should always use the same rating system).
4. Make your reviews helpful.
Your reviews will of course contain your opinions, but you should still always have the reader in mind. Your reviews can essentially make the difference between other readers opting to buy the book or not.
You should be honest, but also remember that not everyone has the same tastes as you. So while you can make it clear that a certain book was not your cup of tea, try to think if there are certain readers who would like the book. And for both positive and negative commentary, always explain why you feel that way.
Providing helpful reviews will help build your reputation as a source that readers can trust and count on.
5. Choose your favorite genres to work with.
Even if you really do read all genres, telling publications that you can “review anything” probably won’t get you more than a few scoffs. Instead, it’s better to become an expert in one or a small handful of genres and learn everything you can about them.
This way, you’ll be able to make your reviews more helpful and insightful, because you’ll be well-versed in the genre’s landscape.
You also want to be the first person who comes to mind when an editor needs a reviewer for a certain genre. It’s better if they know you as a trusted expert in one or two, rather than a generic “jack of all genres.”
6. Keep a portfolio of your reviews.
Once you’re ready to start pitching to major publications or online outlets, you’ll definitely want to have a portfolio of your best work.
If you’re just starting out, your name alone won’t get you through the door. You’ll need samples to show editors what you can do, which is why it’s important to not only back up all your reviews, but keep a collections of your best ones that you can use in your pitch.
What you include in your greatest-hits packet should depend on who you’re pitching to, but in general, it would be wise to include a mix of recognizable titles and indie books, to show you have range.
7. Keep track of upcoming releases.
You’ll rarely find reviews printed for books that have already been out for months. Reviews are usually printed immediately following (if not before) the book’s release date.
As such, you’ll definitely want to plan ahead. Many publishers feature catalogs of their upcoming titles of their websites. Alternatively, you can simply email them to let them know you’re a book reviewer and would like to see a list of their upcoming books. Most will be happy to comply, since publishers want good publicity for their books.
Then, with your list in hand, you can make a list of books you want and are qualified to review. Just remember to keep track of release dates, which you might want to list in a calendar or planner.
8. Start small.
No matter how amazing your writing and review skills, it’s highly unlikely that your first published review will be in the Los Angeles Times.
So if you’re brand new to the game, start with smaller fish, like your local newspaper or up-and-coming online magazines and literary journals. Keep track (perhaps in a spreadsheet) of outlets you want to target, their specialties, which books you’d like to pitch to them, and their contact info.
9. Learn how to pitch.
First, always make sure you’re pitching to the right person. Most publications have mastheads on their websites, where you can find the names and contact info of section editors and other key roles.
Sending your email to the sports editor will not only waste time, but will increase the chances of your review getting lost in the shuffle and show everyone that you’re not good at doing your research.
Next, when it comes to writing your pitch, you should focus on the story your review can tell. What’s unique about the book? Is it timely? Why would that publication’s readers care about it? Why are you the best person to write that review? What do you bring to the conversation?
Finally, make sure that you pitch as early as possible, as most publications plan out and assign their reviews at least weeks in advance.
10. Follow up.
If you don’t get a response within two weeks, don’t be afraid to send a polite follow-up. It’s possible that your pitch got lost among the many submissions editors receive, so don’t assume that no response means they hate your idea. Learn how to write an effective follow-up email.
And if you do get a “no thank you,” that doesn’t mean you should never pitch to them again. It could be that someone else was better suited for that particular book, or that the publication had already assigned all their reviews for that month.
How Much Do Book Reviewers Get Paid?
According to RealWaystoEarnMoneyOnline, book reviewers can get paid anywhere from $5–$60 for their reviews, and sometimes more depending on the publication and your experience or expertise.
Get Paid to Read
If you’re truly passionate about books, you might consider sharing your knowledgeable opinions with others—and if you can get paid in the process, even better!
Check out these 10 hilarious book reviews that may not be the most helpful, but are sure to make you laugh out loud!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- How to Write a Book Review: 9 Hot Tips
- List of Book Review Blogs: Where to Find Free Book Reviews
- 10 Hilariously Funny Book Reviews that Don’t Hold Back
- Why Did Amazon Remove My Book Reviews?
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
