Starting a Career as a Rare Bookseller

Two years ago, I wasn't even aware that the rare book trade existed.

I didn’t know that people made a living selling rare books. I didn’t know about rare book markets, auction houses, or specialist bookshops.

Then I started selling books at local markets and discovered a whole world I never knew existed.

From the start, I was pessimistic that people could make a career as a bookseller. Sure, you can do this as a hobby or work in one of the major bookshops. But is it possible to make enough money to live well off rare books?

Now I have no doubt that some people make a living selling rare books. Over the past month, I have messaged many people with successful book businesses. They have a few things in common: daily social media updates, extensive inventories, and 5–10 years developing their businesses.

There is nothing easy about selling books.

Unemployed

In my twenties, I worked on film sets, then in kitchens, and later as a content writer. I’ve tried a lot of jobs and realise that I am not cut out for stressful work. I don’t want to work long hours, I don’t want to stand on my feet 12 hours a day.

Freelance writing suited me better than any of my previous jobs. I set my own schedule, worked independently, and didn't have a boss looking over my shoulder.

However, due to weak economics and AI, this work has no future. I lost my main client at the start of the year, then one by one, the work dried up.

Now my only source of income is bookselling.

Bookselling

The future is physical media. As the world pushes more towards digital technology, people will start to crave physical goods, books, vinyls, art. I have no stats to back my thoughts, but one thing is for sure people are buying books.

Every day, someone buys a book from my eBay shop. Typically only a £20 book, but my more expensive sales include a bundle of Harry Potter Dulux £1000, a book on early Americas £1,500 and a first edition Sherlock Holmes £900.

Some books sell quickly, and others take 6 months or more. If you have limited funds, you can’t spend all your book money on long sales, even if the books are irresistible. You need a balance of guaranteed sales and slow burns.

Home Office, 2026

Gentle Madness

I’m 35 years old, I don’t want to struggle. That is to say, I am coming into this with realistic expectations. I know I need to keep making money throughout my life.

However, the past month I have spent £1,000 on book stock. It’s madness, book buying is very addictive. Whether I'm bidding online or find a book in a shop, I can’t let go. I see something I think will make money and my eyes light up, but then the book sits there online, and months go by. It’s an obsession that I need to control.

I’ve made it clear that I won't buy this next month until I have all my books online. There are a few auction boxes I have yet to open, as well as some risky job lots.

Goals

I’ve built skills over the past few years, writing, SEO, photography, and filmmaking. I have the marketing skills to make this work. But it will take time. Every bookseller I've messaged has said it took at least 5 years for their online shop to take off.

So, in addition to focusing on bookselling, I will also find a part-time job. It might even be better to find a job that gets me out of the house. I’d love to buckle down and make this business work fast, but unless I go viral on TikTok, I need patience.

Thanks for reading my first bookseller journal post. I’m going to write more personal posts on my blog, as well as case studies of books I buy and sell. You can follow me daily on Instagram @sixbookshop