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Last Updated on June 19, 2025 by Katie
Did you know that the global audiobook market is expected to reach $35 billion by 2030? This means there’s no better time than today to get started with these side hustles for book lovers!
This explosive growth of the audiobook market represents just one of many opportunities to transform your passion for reading into a profitable venture.
The digital age has opened up countless ways to monetise literary interests, from traditional reviewing to innovative content creation.
Whether you’re a fast reader, gifted narrator, or creative designer, there’s a book-related side hustle perfectly suited to your skills.
The best part? Many of these opportunities allow you to work from home, set your own schedule, and build income streams while staying connected to the literary world you love.
Sounds good?
Let’s get started.
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Best Side Hustles for Book Lovers You Can Start Today
If you enjoy reading and being around books, you’ll be glad to know that you can profit from your passion!
Here are some top ideas for the best side hustles for book lovers to boost your bank account each month.
1. Audiobook Narration
Audiobook narration offers a great way to earn money while sharing stories with listeners.
Platforms like ACX connect narrators with authors and publishers, while Amazon Audible provides wider distribution options.
Starting requires a quality microphone and a quiet recording space. You’ll need to create sample readings that show off your vocal range and storytelling abilities.
Many successful narrators begin by practicing with public domain books to build their portfolio.
Voice acting communities provide valuable networking opportunities and industry tips. Regular participation in these groups can lead to paid projects and collaborations.
Pro tip: Focus on developing clear pronunciation, consistent pacing, and character voices to stand out in this growing market.
Further reading: How to start a voice over career with no experience.
2. Self-Publishing Low-Content Books
Creating journals, planners, and book trackers has become a profitable venture for designers seeking passive income.
Amazon KDP and Etsy serve as primary platforms for selling digital planners and minimal-text publications.
Success in this space comes from understanding current market trends. Many creators look to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok to spot what readers want.
Popular items include reading journals, bullet journals, and themed planners that help people track their reading goals.
Starting with a specific theme or audience helps your products stand out. Reading-focused planners might include sections for book reviews, reading challenges, and TBR (to-be-read) lists.
Pro tip: Quality design and user-friendly layouts make these products more appealing to potential buyers.
Further reading: How to sell low content books on Amazon: a complete guide.
3. Book Subscription Box Curator
Book subscription boxes offer readers a monthly package of hand-picked books and related items.
By focusing on specific genres or reader interests, curators can build a loyal subscriber base who look forward to their monthly deliveries.
Starting a subscription box business begins with choosing your niche and building relationships with publishers and authors.
You might specialize in young adult fantasy, cozy mysteries, or contemporary romance. Adding bookish items like candles, bookmarks, or author-signed merchandise makes each box more appealing.
Platforms like Shopify and Cratejoy help manage subscriptions and shipping.
Consider starting with pre-orders to gauge interest and manage inventory costs and sell through various platforms to understand the market better.
Pro tip: Getting feedback from early subscribers shapes future box selections and helps create a product people want to receive month after month.
Further reading: 30 subscription box ideas for beginners.
4. Self-publish an eBook with AI
AI-powered writing tools make creating and publishing eBooks faster than ever.
Writers can turn their knowledge into digital books by using AI for drafting, editing, and content organization while maintaining their unique voice and expertise.
Getting started writing an eBook with AI requires picking a specific topic where you have knowledge to share.
AI tools assist with outlining, writing drafts, and suggesting improvements, while Canva helps create professional covers. Simple editing tools like Grammarly check for clarity and correctness.
Building a social media following in your chosen subject area helps create a ready audience for your eBooks.
Regular posts about your topic keep potential readers engaged and make launching your book more effective.
Pro tip: Start with shorter guides or how-to books to test the market before tackling larger projects.
Check out the FREE AI eBook generator guide below.
5. Online Course Creator
Teaching others about writing, publishing, or literature through online courses generates steady income.
Popular platforms like Udemy and Teachable let instructors reach students worldwide while handling the technical aspects of course delivery.
Start by picking a specific area where you have deep knowledge. This could be freelance writing basics or analyzing classic literature.
Breaking your topic into clear, bite-sized lessons helps students stay engaged and complete the course.
Adding downloadable worksheets, writing templates, and resource guides increases the value of your courses. Regular updates keep content fresh and relevant, leading to better reviews and more enrollments.
Pro tip: Building an email list of students creates opportunities for launching new courses to an interested audience.
Further reading: How to make passive income selling courses online.
6. Book-Themed Merchandise Creator
Turning your love of books into physical products offers a creative way to earn money.
Print-on-demand services make it simple to start selling t-shirts, bookmarks, and art prints without holding inventory. Platforms like Etsy, Redbubble, and Printify handle production and shipping.
Start by studying what bookworms want. Popular items include quotes from classic novels, literary-themed designs, and products that reference current reading trends.
Test different product types to find what sells best – some creators do well with bookish stickers while others excel at tote bags.
Working with book influencers and joining reader communities helps spread the word about your products. Social media posts showing your items in use generate interest and sales.
Pro tip: Consider seasonal offerings like holiday-themed bookmarks, greeting cards or special edition prints tied to book releases.
7. Book Cover or Interior Graphic Designer
Book cover and interior design services are in high demand among independent authors and publishers.
Many writers need skilled designers to create covers that catch readers’ eyes and interior layouts that make their books readable.
Starting requires familiarity with design programs and an understanding of book genres. Build a portfolio on Behance showing mock covers and interior samples.
You can make money with Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud by creating professional designs that meet industry standards.
Focus on a specific genre to build your reputation. Romance covers need different elements than thriller covers, while children’s books require special attention to typography and spacing.
Pro tip: Working directly with authors helps you match their vision while adding your creative touch to make the final product stand out on digital and physical shelves.
8. Book Reviewer
Reading and reviewing books offers a rewarding way to earn money while sharing your literary opinions.
Sites like NetGalley connect reviewers with publishers offering advance copies, while personal blogs let you build your own review platform.
Starting as a book reviewer jobs begins with choosing your focus area. You might specialize in romance novels, mystery books, or young adult fiction.
This helps you attract a specific audience and establish authority in your chosen genre. Create accounts on review platforms and start building relationships with publishers who provide free review copies.
Many successful reviewers combine written reviews with social media content. Posting short reviews on Instagram or TikTok reaches different audiences than traditional blog posts.
Pro tip: Adding affiliate links for books you review creates an additional income stream, while maintaining honest opinions keeps readers coming back for more recommendations.
9. Proofreading and Beta Reading
Authors need skilled proofreaders and beta readers to polish their manuscripts before publication.
Freelance platforms like Reedsy and Fiverr connect editors with writers seeking feedback, while writing communities offer direct opportunities for manuscript review work.
Success in this field requires strong grammar skills and careful attention to detail and you can learn how to become a proofreader wth no experience pretty quickly.
Many proofreaders use tools like Grammarly to catch errors and maintain consistency. Building a client base starts with offering competitive rates and meeting deadlines consistently.
Starting out, focus on one genre to build expertise. Romance novels have different needs than technical manuals.
Join writing groups to network with potential clients and stay current with industry standards.
Pro tip: Clear communication and constructive feedback help maintain long-term client relationships.
Further reading: 55 proofreading jobs online no experience needed.
10. Book Club Leader or Curator
Running a book club is one of the best side hustles for book lovers that lets you turn reading discussions into income.
Meetup and Facebook provide ideal platforms for starting your club, whether online or in person. Many leaders charge membership fees for access to organized reading schedules and guided conversations.
Setting up regular meeting times and choosing books that spark good discussions keeps members coming back.
Some club leaders add value by creating reading guides, discussion questions, and character analyses. Others offer private sessions for deeper literary analysis or themed book recommendations.
Social media helps promote your club and attract new members. Posting about upcoming reads, sharing quotes, and highlighting member discussions builds community interest.
Pro tip: Adding special events like author Q&As or genre-focused months gives members extra reasons to stay involved.
11. Book Marketing Services
Authors regularly need help promoting their books across digital platforms.
Freelancers skilled in online advertising and social media management find steady work running promotional campaigns and building author platforms.
Starting as a book marketer requires learning digital ad basics and social media best practices.
Many marketers begin by managing Facebook ads or Instagram campaigns for indie authors.
Building a portfolio of successful campaigns makes attracting new clients easier. Track metrics like book sales, email list growth, and social media engagement to show concrete results.
Pro tip: Many marketers start with smaller projects before taking on full book launch campaigns.
12. Book Podcast Host
Starting a book podcast opens doors to connect with readers worldwide while earning from your passion for literature.
Recording platforms like Anchor and Spotify for Podcasters make it simple to begin sharing your bookish thoughts with listeners.
Many successful hosts mix book reviewer job descriptions with author interviews and literary discussions.
Regular weekly or bi-weekly episodes help build a steady audience. Adding segments like new release roundups or genre spotlights keeps content fresh and listeners coming back.
Growing your show starts with picking topics that interest you and your target audience. Invite authors as guests to share behind-the-scenes stories about their books.
Social media promotion and cross-promotion with other book podcasts helps expand your reach.
Pro tip: As your listener base grows, sponsorship opportunities and advertising revenue become possible income streams.
13. Freelance Writing
Writing book-related content offers a flexible way to earn from your literary knowledge.
Many publications, blogs, and websites need writers for book summaries, reviews, and articles.
Platforms like Upwork, ProBlogger, BloggingPro and Medium connect writers with paying clients offering writing side jobs.
Success starts with building a strong portfolio of writing samples. Focus on a specific area like young adult fiction reviews or literary analysis to stand out.
Regular freelance writer marketing and pitching to magazines and book-focused websites helps land steady writing work.
Maintaining relationships with editors and meeting deadlines consistently leads to repeat assignments.
Many freelance writers begin with short writing courses and beginner typing jobs to help build up experience and money.
Pro tip: Starting small with book blog contributions helps build credibility before pursuing larger publications.
14. Selling Used or Rare Books Online
Buying and selling used books through online marketplaces can turn a book collection hobby into steady income.
eBay and Amazon provide reliable platforms for reaching buyers interested in specific titles, editions, or rare finds.
Success starts with finding quality books at thrift stores, estate sales, and library sales. Look for first editions, signed copies, and out-of-print titles that command higher prices.
Many sellers start by selling old books they already own to learn the market before investing in inventory.
Clear photos and detailed descriptions build buyer confidence. Include information about the condition, edition details, and any special features.
Pro tip: Good packaging practices and prompt shipping lead to positive reviews, helping attract repeat customers and higher sales prices.
15. Start a Book Blog
Starting a book blog opens up opportunities to earn through advertising, affiliate sales, and sponsorships.
WordPress and Medium provide user-friendly platforms to showcase your book reviews and recommendations.
Begin by picking a specific reading niche that matches your interests and knowledge.
This could be romance novels, science fiction, or children’s literature. Write detailed reviews and create reading lists that help your audience find their next favorite books.
Add affiliate links to online bookstores and book-related products to generate income from reader purchases. Join ad networks like Monumetric once your traffic grows.
Pro tip: Social media promotion helps build your readership – share snippets of reviews, reading updates, and book photography to attract followers who share your reading interests.
Final Thoughts on the Best Side Hustles for Book Lovers
The beauty of side hustles for book lovers lies in their versatility and accessibility.
Whether you choose to narrate audiobooks, curate subscription boxes, or create literary merchandise, success comes from combining your genuine love of books with strategic business approaches.
The key is starting with one venture that aligns with your strengths and gradually expanding as you gain experience.
Remember that building a profitable book-focused business takes time, but the rewards extend beyond financial gains.
You’ll join a vibrant community of fellow book lovers, stay ahead of literary trends, and contribute to the evolving landscape of how people discover, consume, and celebrate books.
