Make $ from your reading

3 places that want to hear about what you've read

What do robots, cruise ships, and Egyptian tombs have in common?

They all featured in books I read last year and were memorable enough to stick—anyone else currently have a fish-length memory?

I especially loved Klara and the Sun, by Kazuo Ishiguro.

Barak Obama and the Nobel Prize people agree with me on this one. Oh, and my dad.

Reading is essential for us writers. But why not take our reading lists and make some money off of them?

(Fingers crossed.)

Should we tackle the high paying one first?

Here’s the call for pitches from Longreads:

We’re seeking new contributors to Longreads and invite you to pitch us your reading list ideas.

We pay USD$350 per reading list.

Please read our updated submissions page, and browse our reading lists to see what we’ve published over the years.

Curation is at the heart of this format, but our favorite lists have many of the elements of our best commissioned stories: a strong voice, a fresh and unexpected angle, and sharp and thoughtful commentary.

Longreads is more challenging to get into, but hey! Who said this writing thing was easy?

If you want something more regular…

Booklist could be interesting.

Booklist reviews are “the haiku of book reviewing,” brief but impactful. In 150-175 words, our lively reviews place each work in context, provide a synopsis of plot and other appeal, suggest the ideal audience, and offer readalikes.

Booklist pays $15 for each review.

They do warn: “Our deadlines can be demanding.”

So make sure you have the time, and passion for reading, before signing on.

For our Science Fiction and Fantasy fans

Tor.com has a very specific way to submit and three editors to submit to.

Read up before you send a pitch!

We are most interested in pitches for essays, think pieces, list posts, reaction pieces, and reviews in the 1000-2500 word range (although we are also open to longer essays).

We do not encourage articles on spec—please send us clear, thoroughly outlined pitches on specific topics.

They pay, but don’t say how much on their website.

What’s a book you enjoyed recently? I love book recommendations, so pretty please share in the comments!

Talk soon

Kelly xx