Looking for a legitimate way to get paid to read books from home? Kirkus Reviews is currently accepting applications from experienced freelance book reviewers, with the location listed as “Anywhere.”
This is freelance, project-based work for Kirkus Indie. Reviewers read an assigned book and write a review of about 350 words within two weeks.
To apply, you'll need a resume, writing samples, and a list of your reviewing specialties. The big question Kirkus doesn't answer publicly is how much reviewers are paid, so you'll want that information before deciding whether the work makes sense for you.
What Is Kirkus Reviews?
Kirkus has been publishing book reviews since 1933. Its Kirkus Indie service lets independent and self-published authors pay for a professional review, while its traditional review program selects books submitted by publishers.
Those author fees are separate from reviewer pay. You're looking at a writing opportunity here, not purchasing a review for a book of your own.
What Does a Kirkus Book Reviewer Do?
The current opening covers English- and Spanish-language books for Kirkus Indie. Kirkus reviews nearly all genres and book lengths, including digital books, hardcovers, and paperbacks.
Once a book is assigned, you have two weeks to read it and deliver an approximately 350-word review. That deadline includes the reading, not just the writing!
Kirkus explains that editors match books with reviewers based on their experience, subject knowledge, and reading interests. Your list of reviewing specialties helps show which books you are best equipped to assess.
A useful review needs more than a plot summary or “I liked it.” You'll need to explain your opinion clearly and fairly, with enough detail to help someone decide whether the book is for them.
The reading and written reviewing are non-phone work, rather than customer-service calls.
For more options, my Non-Phone Jobs Guide is a PDF covering 300 non-phone jobs in writing, data entry, transcription, and more.
You can plan your reading and writing around other commitments, but the deadline still matters. A long or challenging book can take much more time than a short, familiar one, so don't judge the workload by the review's word count alone.
How Much Does Kirkus Reviews Pay Book Reviewers?
Kirkus does not currently publish reviewer compensation on its careers page. I can't give you a verified current rate, and the price an author pays for a review doesn't tell us what the reviewer earns.
Older third-party discussions have mentioned per-review payments, but those figures are not confirmed current rates from Kirkus. I would not use them to estimate what you'll earn today.
If Kirkus responds to your application, ask about the actual payment, when it is paid, and whether revisions are included. Then weigh that amount against the time you expect to spend reading the whole book, taking notes, and writing the review.
For your own comparison, divide the offered fee by your total hours of work. That gives you a more useful picture than the payment for a short review might suggest.
Kirkus Reviewer Requirements
Kirkus specifically asks for experienced book reviewers. The current listing does not state a college-degree requirement or a minimum number of years of experience.
You'll need strong writing and critical-reading skills to produce a clear, thoughtful review. Kirkus asks for writing samples and reviewing specialties along with your resume.
The careers page doesn't define exactly what counts as enough reviewing experience. A Goodreads profile or personal book blog is not a guaranteed qualification, although someone with a strong relevant reviewing or writing background may decide to apply.
Choose samples that show how you assess a book, support your opinions, and write concisely. For your specialties, be specific about the genres or subjects you know well rather than saying you'll review anything.
If you're starting without relevant experience, my list of remote jobs that require no experience may be a better starting point.
If Kirkus isn't the right fit, sign up for my free work-at-home emails for more remote opportunities. I'll also send you my free list of 43 non-phone jobs.
How to Apply for a Kirkus Reviews Job
Start with the official Kirkus careers page and look for the Book Reviewer listing. As of this update, it directs applicants to Kirkus Indie Editor David Rapp.
Send these three things:
- Your resume.
- Writing samples.
- A list of your reviewing specialties.
Proofread everything before sending it, especially your samples.
The listing does not give an application-response timeline or promise assignments to everyone who applies.
Can You Review Books for Kirkus From Outside the U.S.?
Kirkus currently lists this freelance position's location as “Anywhere.” It does not name a U.S.-residency requirement on the careers page.
Still, there isn't a promise that every applicant in every country will qualify, so confirm any country or payment restrictions with Kirkus if they respond when you get in touch.
Is Working as a Kirkus Reviewer Worth It?
If you enjoy reading closely and explaining what makes a book work, this could be worth looking into. The remote, project-based format and written work may fit around another job or freelance clients.
But reading for a deadline is different from picking up a book whenever you feel like it. You still have to finish the assignment and write a fair review, even if the book isn't one you enjoy.
The careers page does not promise a steady volume of assignments, and the pay is not public. I would treat this as a freelance opportunity to evaluate, rather than count on it to replace a full-time work-from-home job.
If you're not sure Kirkus fits, you can also look through these other paid book-reviewing opportunities.
How to Get Started
Gather your strongest relevant samples, update your resume, and check the current Kirkus application instructions before sending anything in.
If you hear back, get the compensation and assignment details before you commit!
Looking for more legitimate ways to find freelance writing or reviewing jobs?
I always recommend checking out FlexJobs.
It’s a paid site, but they hand-screen every listing so you’re not wasting time on scams or low-quality gigs.
You can try it for just $2.95 for 14 days! And canceling is very simple if you decide it's not for you.
Photo by ArtHouse Studio: https://www.pexels.com/photo/person-in-blue-denim-jeans-reading-book-4640844/
Anna Thurman is a work at home blogger and mom of two. She has been researching and reviewing remote jobs for over 15 years. Her findings are published weekly here at Real Ways to Earn.