Turn Your Passion for Reading into Profit with the 12 Best Book Affiliate Programs in 2024

Are you a book lover? Do you have any blog or channel where you usually share your reading experiences or lessons from pages?

Lots of people love to read. That makes book promotion one of the most popular choices for affiliate marketers out there.

It’s not wrong to say that the magic world of reading not only enriches your mind but also fills y our wallet.

In this article, we will reveal a curated list of 12 book affiliate programs that will help you share your passion with fellow readers.

Are you ready to explore? Let’s dive in!

Top 12 Best Book Affiliate Programs in 2023 to Earn Money

Affiliate marketing is a no-risk strategy to boost your bookstore’s revenue because you only pay affiliates when they generate sales.

As the top favored affiliate marketing solution on Shopify, UpPromote makes it easy to recruit book-loving influencers to promote your inventory. You can easily set your affiliate commission rates, share your unique links, and watch affiliate-driven sales roll in.

A book is more likely to sell when it’s recommended by someone influential. According to a survey, 88% of customers most trust recommendations from people they know.

Amazon Associates

Well, Amazon is the market for everything, including books.

It provides an unparalleled selection of books. From bestsellers to new releases, readers can find a wide variety of genres, topics, and editions. For this diversity, affiliates can easily promote books to match their audience’s needs and preferences.

It can not be denied that Amazon has a significant international presence. So, it’s not a challenge if you want to target a global audience for your promotion.

Additionally, this is the most trusted and well-known brand worldwide. You can persuade your audience to buy books from your links without worrying about reliability or transactions.

By becoming an affiliate of Amazon Associates, you’ll earn 4.5% per physical book sale.

The cookie duration is as short as 24 hours. If you want to get more money, try attracting more readers to your affiliate links.

Bigger books

Are your audiences college or university students? If so, Bigger Books is an excellent option for your affiliate marketing campaign.

Founded in 2001, this online bookstore and retailer was known for its emphasis on textbooks, making it a valuable resource for students looking to buy or rent textbooks for their academic courses.

With a wide range of textbooks, both new and used, Bigger Books is proud to meet all students’ needs. Plus, their books are competitively priced, making it easier for affiliates to attract more customers.

If you’re excited to promote these products, join their affiliate program via CJ or ShareASale.

There’s a slight difference in commissions between these two networks. While CJ gives you 5% for all qualifying sales, ShareASale offers 5.5%.

However, no matter which you choose, you’ll still receive the best in-house support. BiggerBooks also provides coupons, banners, buttons, and other unique creatives to help you maximize your earnings.

Grab the chance to promote their product feeds with over 6,000,000 ISBNs to your audience.

CJ network:

ShareASale:

Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble is one of the largest chains of bookstores in the US, carrying a huge selection of books from all genres and periods.

Though books are the focus of Barnes & Noble, they’re not the only products. You can find a wide selection of other goods, such as periodicals, music, toys, games, stationery and presents.

Do you want to be a part of their affiliate network? Then, join the program via CJ Affiliate.

For each sale driven from your unique link, you’ll get a 2% commission.

You might realize that this rate is relatively low compared to others. However, you can gain trust from promoting their products.

It’s true that customers often feel comfortable making purchases from a well-known and established bookstore. With over a century of operation, Barnes & Noble is a reliable option.

So, consider the situation carefully and make your decision.

Eagle Saver

This case is special!

At Eagle Saver, we’re not buying books. We’re selling them.

This online media buyback company specializes in purchasing used books, blu-rays, CDs, DVDs, and video games from customers.

They offer a straightforward and convenient way for collectors, students, businesses, and others to sell unwanted media items in exchange for cash.

The company is proud to offer a number of advantages, such as competitive prices, free shipping, and fast payment.

So, if your audiences want to declutter their homes while earning extra money, refer them to Eagle Saver. This promotion also gains a plus point in encouraging everyone to reduce waste and recycle their unused media.

To join the Eagle Saver affiliate program, sign up via ShareASale. They offer affiliates a 5% commission, along with competitive buyback quotes to help increase the conversion rates.

Vital Source

Let us introduce another online bookstore for student audiences.

VitalSource, an eTextbook platform, provides a wide range of educational materials to students, educators, and institutions. It was founded in 1994 and has since become one of the leading digital textbook distributors.

Particularly, the company has over 1.5 million users around the world and offers over 1 million titles from at least 1100 publishers. They claim to provide the most competitive price for students, up to 80% cheaper than physical textbooks.

Another advantage of VitalSource is that they allows users to download eTextbooks and materials for offline access, making it convenient for students who may not always have an internet connection.

Perfect to refer to your readers, right?

If you own book blogs or websites that attract lots of learners, joining VitalSource’s affiliate program and earning money is a piece of cake.

Commission Junction hosts this program. They’ll give you unique links and eye-grabbing materials to drive more students to VitalSource’s page. For each qualifying sale, get your share of 3%.

Premier Collectibles

Have you ever heard of Premiere Collectibles before? If you’re a book nerd who loves to collect signed copies of your favorite authors, you might know this company for sure.

This online retailer claims to be the world’s largest autographed bookstore, with a selection of thousands of signed books in different genres, including politics, fiction, cookbooks, pop culture, and more.

Premier Collectibles collaborates with well-known authors, offering signed and limited-edition books that are not widely available elsewhere. These items can highly attract collectors and fans.

So, if you want to tap into the appeal of unique and collectible books for affiliating, this online store is a potential choice.

Their affiliate program is managed by ShareASale. If you’re already a member of this network, search the program and start your plan. Or else, signing up is super easy once you’ve got an attractive presence.

Collectible and limited edition books from Premier Collectibles tend to be a bit overpriced compared to standard editions. Thus, grab the chance to earn a high affiliate commission of 15%. They reveal that the average order value is often in the $100’s. Sometimes, it reaches $1000’s.

A huge earning potential, right?

Bookshop

Bookshop was founded in 2020 with the goal of supporting independent bookstores and promoting the importance of local bookshops in the US.

Let’s dig a little deeper!

Well, when you buy a book from Bookshop, a percentage of the sale is donated to the indie bookshop of your choosing from among more than 1,600 partners. If you don’t specifically pick one, the profit will be shared for all.

You’ll find a wide variety of titles at Bookshop, including fiction, non-fiction, kids, and more. Thus, as an affiliate, you can easily find books to match the interests of your target audience.

If you’re interested in Bookshop and want to support the local literary ecosystem, join their affiliate marketing program on their website.

You’ll receive a generous commission of 10% for each sale generated.

Books-A-Million

Along with Barnes &Noble, Books-A-Million (abbreviated as BAM!) is a prominent American book retailer that operates both in-house stores and an online platform.

In particular, Books-A-Million operates over 200 stores in 32 states across the United States. These stores offer different types of books, magazines, collectibles, and other related products. What’s more? They also provide cozy cafes where customers can relax with a book or enjoy a beverage.

In addition to its physical stores, Books-A-Million has a robust online presence through its website. Customers can browse and purchase books, e-books, audiobooks, and various other items.

For this convenience, affiliates can widen their potential customer base, targeting both local audiences interested in in-store shopping and online shoppers.

How to join their affiliate network? The answer is to sign up to be a member of Commission Junction first.

As long as you have a website or a social media account, you can apply to join Bookshop’s affiliate program. They pay book bloggers or influencers a 5% commission, with a cookie length of 30 days.

TextbookX

As it might show in the name, this online platform focuses on selling textbooks and academic supplies to students. They offer over 100 million books, including new and used options, eTextbooks, and book rentals. Plus, they compare prices from multiple sellers to ensure that students are getting the best deal.

If your audience consists of students, educators, or parents, promoting book sales and rentals is highly relevant and beneficial.

How to start promoting?

TextbookX’s affiliate program is performed via Commission Junction. Create an account with this network. Once approved, you can use unique links to refer TextbookX’s products to your audience.

The program offers a standard commission rate of 5% on all sales. This means that with an average order value of over $100, you’ll earn at least $5. TextbookX also provides affiliates with diverse promotional tools and creatives to help them bring in customers.

Chirp Books

Welcome to the world of audiobooks!

At Chirp Books, users can browse, purchase, and listen to an extensive library of audiobooks spanning various genres and categories. From science mysteries and thrillers to fiction and fantasy, Chirp Books covers them all.

If you’re a book blogger looking to promote audiobooks to serve your audience’s listening pleasure, this is an ideal option.

Why?

Unlike other platforms offering subscription services and fees, Chirp Books lets customers use their resources without subscription fees or minimum purchases. Moreover, it offers daily deals where you can save as much as 95% on some audiobooks.

When you buy an audiobook from Chirp Books, you may instantly download it to your device so you can start listening. The free Chirp app or website also allows users to listen to audiobooks online. Fantastic, right?

Plus, tell your audience not to worry about purchased books when they cancel their account. Chirp Books lets them retain their ownership.

Commission Junction also manages this affiliate program. They’ll send you creatives, coupon codes, and newsletter updates to enhance your promotion.

Refer a new bookworm to their site for a 20% commission on all sales. If your audience is already their customer, you’ll get 5%.

TAN Books

This name specializes in Catholic and religious literature. If you’re targeting a specific niche audience interested in theology and Catholicism, consider their affiliate program.

TAN Books is a family-owned, traditional Catholic publishing company founded in 1967. They aim to publish and promote books that adhere to traditional Catholic teachings and values.

You can find a vast catalog of books on their page, including Bibles, booklets, homeschool books, fiction, literature, and more. They also offer e-books and digital resources for convenient access to Catholic literature.

It’s undeniable that TAN Books has a long-standing reputation for publishing high-quality Catholic books.

Affiliates can confidently promote their products on one of these trustworthy networks: Refersion and CJ. No matter which you choose, you’ll receive the same commission of 8% on qualifying purchases.

Refersion:

CJ Affiliate:

eCampus.com

We end this round-up with eCampus.com, another name in the textbook purchase and rental industry.

They provide both physical and digital textbooks for students of all levels, depending on their preferences and course requirements.

The platform is known for offering competitive prices, often at a significant discount compared to traditional campus bookstores and other online marketplaces.

In addition, they have a textbook buyback program where students can sell their used or unwanted textbooks, allowing them to cover some of their costs.

If you’ve found this site suits your audience’s needs, consider joining their affiliate program via ShareASale or CJ.

The commissions will vary depending on purchasing options.

The highest rate of 8% is for qualifying rentals from your affiliate links. If your audience purchases used books, you’ll get 6% per sale. How about new books and eTextbooks? You’ll earn a 5% commission. Besides, eCampus offers $3 per lead on buybacks.

Research the program thoroughly and choose a more suitable platform for making money.

ShareASale:

CJ Affiliate:

How Do Book Affiliate Programs Work?

Book affiliate programs operate similarly to others in different niches. If you’ve performed any promotion before, you might easily relate to the process. But if you’re new, refer to the basic information below to see how it typically works.

Sign up for your chosen programs

After finding a perfect book affiliate program, it’s time to apply.

Based on companies’ policies, you’ll sign up directly on their website or join via affiliate networks.

For example, if you selected Barnes & Noble or Vital Source, you must become a CJ Affiliate member first. Or join ShareASale if you’re interested in Eagle Saver and Premier Collectibles.

While signing up, you’ll be required to provide some basic information about yourself and your website, blog, or other promotional channels.

Get affiliate links and creatives

Once you’re approved as an affiliate, you’ll gain access to a dashboard where you can get unique affiliate tracking links for promotion in the next step.

Some programs also offer promotional materials like banners or codes to help you drive sales.

Start promoting books

There are different ways to refer products to your audience.

For instance, you can publish dedicated book reviews on your relevant blog and include affiliate links in these articles. If you own a YouTube channel, create related videos and show links in the descriptions. Or else, share images on your social media profiles and inform your audience about promotion.

Earn commissions

When a visitor clicks on your link and makes a book purchase or rental, you earn a commission on that sale. How much you get depends on the affiliate program’s terms.

Get payments

You’ll receive earnings through the method you specify, such as PayPal, check, or direct deposit. Once you reach the minimum threshold, the affiliate program will send you money.

Benefits of Joining a Book Affiliate Program? 

Are you still hesitant about joining affiliate programs in the book industry? Then, let us round up some basic benefits to help you make up your mind.

Monetize your passion

This might be one of the main factors that attract affiliates to promote books.

Indeed, if your love for books can help you make extra money, why not give it a try? Book affiliate programs provide a perfect way to earn commissions for recommending books you genuinely enjoy. Don’t miss the chance!

Long-term earnings

How can it be in the long-term? In fact, the market for books is enormous. Whether promoting printed or audiobooks, you can continue generating commissions for an extended period.

Easy to join

Joining most book affiliate programs is typically free and straightforward. As long as you have a strong presence and meet the company’s basic requirements, you can be a part of their network.

Wide range of books to promote

Book stores offer affiliates a diverse book selection, including fiction, non-fiction, academic, lifestyle, politics, and many more. No matter what types of books your audiences are fond of, you’ll find a reputable source for them.

Educational Value

It’s not wrong to say that books are rich sources of information, knowledge, and entertainment. By promoting books, you’re making a positive impact on your audience and society as a whole.

For example, if you’re referring textbooks to students, you can help them excel academically and achieve their educational goals.

What Are Effective Ways to Promote Book Affiliate Programs? 

Here are some ways for you to consider:

Create quality content on a blog or website

The first way is to provide your audiences with valuable content that will help them to find the best books to read.

You can create different types of articles. For example, write informative and engaging book reviews, blog posts about new releases, or top lists of favorite books on specific topics.

For this presence, it’s essential to develop evergreen content that remains relevant over time to provide value to your audience and ensure a consistent stream of potential customers.

Use social media marketing

Social media platforms are a quick and engaging way to attract readers’ attention.

You can write your thoughts, post pictures, and upload videos to help promote books to your audiences.

Share your affiliate links on your social profiles (whether on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest), and engage with your followers about the books that you are referring to.

Send via e-mail marketing

Some programs allow affiliates to promote books via their e-mail lists. Get use of this!

Build a specific email list of subscribers interested in books and reading. It’s better to segment it  based on your audience’s needs and preferences. After that, you can send regular newsletters featuring book recommendations with affiliate links.

Video content on YouTube

Last but not least, streaming platforms like YouTube are perfect for affiliate marketing in the book niche. They allow you to visually  showcase your passion for books and engage with a dedicated community of book lovers.

You can create detailed reviews of books, share your recent book purchases in a book haul video, and more.

FAQ

Are there any specific requirements to become a book affiliate?

In fact, the requirements can vary depending on the programs you choose.

Most book affiliate programs have no specific requirements to join. You typically only need a website or blog and a passion to promote books. However, others may have additional conditions, such as minimum traffic or audience size.

Is it possible to simultaneously promote multiple book affiliate programs?

The answer is yes. You can choose to promote multiple programs to reach a wider range of books and diversify your income. However, remember to stick to programs that are relevant to your niche and audience and to avoid promoting competing ones.

Are book affiliate programs available globally?

Many large book affiliate programs, such as Amazon Associates and Barnes & Noble, are available to affiliates in countries all over the world. However, some other small ones are limited.

Thus, it’s crucial to check their terms and conditions to see if there are any restrictions on affiliate participation based on location.

What kinds of books can I promote as an affiliate?

It depends on the affiliate programs you join since they might sell different types of books. Generally, the promotion range is wide, such as fiction, non-fiction, self-help, business books, cookbooks, and more.

Others focus on textbooks and academic supplies for a specific niche of audience. You might also promote religious literature like those from TAN Books.

How much can I earn from book affiliate programs?

Again, the amount you earn will depend on the programs you choose. Particularly, it’s the commission structure. Besides, the order value through your product links will also decide how much you’ll get.

Do I have to pay a fee to join a book affiliate program?

In most cases, you do not have to pay a fee to join book affiliate programs. They are open to any suitable affiliate. Always review the terms and conditions of the specific program you’re interested in to ensure there are no hidden costs.

Conclusion

We’ve walked through a variety of book affiliate programs, each with its own set of benefits and opportunities. Now, it’s your turn to pick the ones that align with your interests and audience to ensure success and values.

Remember that you don’t need to be a professional reviewer to become a book affiliate. Let your passion take its course. Be confident, do careful research, and make wise decisions!