Have you ever thought of writing book reviews? Perhaps you’ve already written some as a favor to a writer acquaintance or on Goodreads or Amazon. But how about writing book reviews for an income? There are book review sites (online and print form) that actually pay for book reviews and some pay quite well. But, like anything else, you may have to start with the less lucrative income sources to establish your name as a book reviewer.

There are bonuses to writing book reviews, beyond the monetary aspect and beyond the fact that you may also be given a free copy of the book. But writing book reviews, or any review for that matter, is a tricky business. It is, however, a great way to start a writing career and to promote your publications. Not to mention the fact that reviewing books allows the reviewer the opportunity of reading (and owning) a large book collection, opening up a world of writing styles and genres that you might not otherwise consider. Reading more always improves your own writing, but writing the review itself hones certain writing skills.

The remuneration is not always what I think it should be, but it adds up and the more I review, the more I’m noticed as a reviewer. Also, the more I’m recognized as a writer myself. That’s why one recent book review site was quite confident in saying that my credentials as a book reviewer were “very impressive”.

Like any other form of writing, it’s important to know your market and the target audience. Study the style of book reviews for the publication you want to write for. If it’s an academic journal, then the review must be written in an academic format, complete with proper footnotes. If the review is for a newsstand tabloid, don’t super analyze the book and don’t get too technical.

But first, make sure you read the book. Don’t read other people’s reviews and then write a review based on the reviews. Read the book, write your review and submit it before even glancing at other reviews. A book review is YOUR opinion. Make sure it sounds like YOU!  

Remember, the book reviewer is the messenger, the one who is telling the world what is good or bad about a specific book. To succeed and to be recognized for your book reviewing skills, you must, first and foremost, be fair. Every book has its merits. The reviewer may think that it’s the worst book ever written. However, the book has been written and it has been published. A lot of work went into both writing and producing the book. Good or bad, that should be enough to merit a fair review. I love J.R.R. Tolkien’s commentary on book reviewers. He wrote: “Some who have read the book, or at any rate have reviewed it [“The Lord of the Rings”], have found it boring, absurd, or contemptible; and I have no cause to complain, since I have similar opinions of their works, or of the kinds of writing that they evidently prefer.” Tolkien has a good point. The person you review today may in fact review you tomorrow, so be fair. Be honest, but fair.

Like anything else that ventures into the public forum, be careful what you write. You may be quoted! So be sure to make your review a well written work of literature. Your review may, in turn, promote your writing, your books.

There are many markets for book reviews. Local newspapers and community papers often publish reviews. Local artists and writers newsletters also publish reviews. Specialty journals will publish reviews of books that relate to their specialty. For example a needlework magazine would be interested in a review on a recently published book on embroidery. There are lots of e-journals, online book review sites and online booksellers that publish reviews: some pay, some don’t. Amazon, Barnes and Noble are two examples of non-paying online booksellers that publish reviews.

Blogging has become another way to generate income writing book reviews. Check out some of the book reviewing blog sites, or start your own. Remember, you’re doing a service to both yourself and to the many authors whose books deserve recognition.