20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You might split time between classes and reviewing. Mornings often have lecture prep, grading, or a 9–11am class using PowerPoint and Google Docs for slides and handouts.
Afternoons go to reading, writing reviews in Microsoft Word, and emailing editors with Microsoft Outlook. Evenings can be reading advance copies, attending campus events, or meeting colleagues to discuss scholarship.
Expect Microsoft Word for drafts and Microsoft Outlook for communications. Use Microsoft PowerPoint for lectures and Adobe Acrobat Reader for reading PDF galleys.
Blackboard Collaborate or another LMS handles online classes; Google Docs is common for shared bibliographies and colleague collaboration. Apple Safari or another browser is used to find reviews, publisher sites, and journal submission pages.
AI can summarize a chapter or suggest structure, but you must check facts and add your own judgment. Treat AI output as a first draft—edit it in Microsoft Word and verify quotes against the book or PDF in Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Never submit AI-generated criticism as your own original analysis for journals. If a publisher asks, disclose any substantial AI use and follow their ethics policy.
Begin by writing short reviews for campus publications, blogs, or the college newsletter and post them in Google Docs or a personal site viewed in Safari. Send polished samples and a CV via Microsoft Outlook to local journals and small presses.
Build relationships: offer to review for campus reading lists, compile bibliographies, or review manuscripts for colleagues. Participate in campus events and network with editors at conferences.
If you work as a faculty member, cite the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). BLS reports 57,720 employed in related roles with a median wage of $78,760 per year, a lowest tenth at $48,270, and a top tenth at $137,250. These figures cover teaching-related occupations, not freelance reviewing alone.
Freelance book reviewing pay varies widely: some publishers pay per review, others give free copies or honoraria. Combine reviewing income with teaching pay to estimate total earnings.
No. A literature professor spends much time teaching, preparing lectures with PowerPoint, grading, advising students, and doing research and grant proposals. Reviewing books is one task among many professors do, but not the whole job.
A book reviewer—outside academia—focuses mainly on reading and writing reviews, submitting them to publications, and meeting editorial deadlines. Professors also perform administrative duties and mentor students.
Clear writing wins. Editors care more about a tight, persuasive review they can publish quickly. Use Microsoft Word to draft, revise, and track changes; provide concise criticism and specific examples from the text.
Fast reading helps you accept more assignments and meet deadlines, but without clear writing your reviews won’t be chosen. Practice both: read efficiently, then spend most time polishing prose.