Where can I find out about critiquing books as a job?

Question

I have heard of publishers that paid people to read books and critique what they have read. I think this would be a great at home second job for me, and would like to find out where I need to go to get into this business.

Answer 1

Contact publishers you respect. But it's not just publishers that do this. There is another whole layer for things like book clubs, chain bookstores and so on, who hire people as readers because they simply cannot take the time to choose any other way. You will probably be asked to write the synopsis that goes into their newsletter or internal publications if they do decide to carry the book. Check out the marketing department of the chain which is closest to you.

Answer 2

I have done publisher-contracted reviews and it isn't an easy market to get into. In my experience, no publishing house will hire someone for this sort of work unless they have previously had professional writing experience, particularly reviewing books for magazines, newspapers, or major online publications. Additionally, if you have professional experience as an editor, that might be helpful in getting this kind of reviewing work.

Publishers generally have in-house people who do this and only rarely hire freelancers such as myself when they have an "emergency" need for that. Usually, this would be due to their regular reader leaving the company, being medically unable to work, et cetera.

In any case, this is never a regular thing, unless the publisher decides that you are VERY good at it—better than their in-house people, and even the best freelancers doing that can only expect to be paid for critiquing a couple dozen books per year.