Jennifer Aitken: Writing Her Own Legend, One Chapter at a Time
For so many of us, the dream of writing a book begins in childhood, a whisper of a wish to create worlds and tell stories. For most, that whisper fades with time, lost to the demands of everyday life. But for Jennifer Aitken, that whisper grew into a roar. The self-published author of the captivating Young Adult fantasy series, Legends of Light & Shadows Saga, is a powerful testament to what can be achieved with a lifelong passion, unwavering determination, and the courage to build your own path. She is not just writing stories; she is living one, a story of turning a childhood dream into a thriving career. For her incredible journey and her impact on the world of indie publishing, The Influential Today Magazine is proud to honor Jennifer Aitken as The Most Influential Woman Making a Mark in Publishing for 2025.
The Dream That Never Faded
Jennifer Aitken’s journey as a storyteller didn’t begin with a keyboard or a pen; it began with a box of crayons. “Writing and story telling is something that’s been with me my entire life,” she shares. “As a child with crayons I would create stories for my family and knew I wanted to be an author. I didn’t know at the time how I’d get there but I knew I would.” This wasn’t a fleeting hobby; it was a core part of her identity from the very beginning.
That childhood certainty was nurtured by a powerful force: her family. In a world where artistic dreams are often met with skepticism, Jennifer’s was met with unconditional belief. “My family supported me from the very beginning,” she recalls. “Never discouraging me from my dream even though they knew how hard it would be. Their support made me believe anything was possible and kept my dream alive even when it seemed impossible.” This foundation of love and encouragement gave her the confidence to hold onto her ambition, even when the path forward wasn’t clear.
Finding a Home in the Freedom of Fantasy
When Jennifer finally sat down to write what would become her signature series, she didn’t start with a target audience or a marketing plan. She started with what mattered most: a story. “When I started writing I didn’t have a specific audience in mind, I just had a story,” she explains. It was only as the characters and plot began to take shape that the narrative found its natural home. “As my story unfolded it became clear that the Young Adult genre is where my story would fit.”
The choice of fantasy, however, was a conscious one, driven by a desire for limitless creativity. “In regards to fantasy, it was the lack of parameters that drew my attention,” she says. “For me it meant I could create whatever I wanted!” This freedom allowed her to draw from her lifelong interest in mythology and folklore, weaving together ancient beliefs and ideologies into something entirely new. But her creative process is fluid and intuitive. “When I start writing one idea can quickly turn into something entirely different and I just go with it,” she reveals, showcasing the organic, instinctual nature of her world-building.
The Leap of Faith That Changed Everything
For a time, Jennifer channeled her writing skills into a freelance career, writing for clients. But the dream of her own novels was always there. Making the jump from a steady freelance income to the uncertain world of a full-time author is a terrifying prospect for many, but Jennifer didn’t make that leap alone. Once again, her family and especially her husband was her rock.
“It was not a decision I made alone,” she emphasizes. “My husband is so supportive and he wanted me to have the time to write and work towards my goals. It was him who encouraged me to leave freelance writing behind.” This pivotal moment speaks volumes about their partnership. It was a shared dream, a shared risk, and a shared belief that her stories deserved to be told. His encouragement gave her the final push she needed to dedicate herself completely to the worlds she was so passionate about creating.
Navigating the World of Self-Publishing
Deciding to become a full-time author was one hurdle; deciding to self-publish was another entirely. The world of indie publishing is vast and complex, and for a newcomer, it can be incredibly daunting. “After deciding to publish myself, knowing where to start or even how to start was overwhelming,” Jennifer admits. “There is a lot of information available, of course, but its hard to know what the best option or path is in just a vast industry.”
There was no magic formula or easy guide. Her success was forged through grit and persistence. “It took time and research and trial and error to get where I am today,” she says. This honest admission is both a comfort and an inspiration to aspiring authors. It demystifies the process, showing that the path to becoming a successful indie author is paved with patience, hard work, and the willingness to learn from mistakes.
A Hero’s Journey, On and Off the Page
It’s often said that authors put a piece of themselves into their characters, and for Jennifer, that connection is strongest with her protagonist, Lucius. He isn’t a perfect hero, and that’s precisely what makes him so relatable. “He is a flawed man, someone constantly struggling through life’s trials but he never gives up and he keeps learning and evolving,” she explains.
In Lucius’s journey, she sees a reflection of her own and a universal truth about the human experience. “I like to think during the hard parts of life I have persevered and that anyone can,” she says. This theme of resilience is the beating heart of her saga, offering readers not just an escape into a fantasy world, but also a mirror to their own strength.
The Life of an Author-preneur
Being an indie author in today’s world requires wearing two hats: the creative storyteller and the savvy entrepreneur. Jennifer’s daily schedule is a masterclass in how to balance both. “My recent schedule has been business tasks in the morning and creative in the afternoon,” she details. Her mornings are dedicated to the crucial work that builds her author platform: social media posts, marketing campaigns, interviews, and scheduling book signings.
“This way my afternoon is free for writing,” she continues. “These are my priorities right now so the rest of life’s chores fit in where they can and I have a lot of help from my husband.” This structured approach allows her to give both the business and creative sides of her career the attention they need to thrive. It’s a realistic and insightful look into the discipline required to make a mark in the competitive world of self-publishing.
Even with her growing success, the reality of having fans still fills her with a sense of wonder. “I am surprised to have fans!” she exclaims. “It is such an amazing feeling to have people come up to me and say they have read my books and wanting to know when the next one is coming out. It’s wonderful to know people are enjoying my stories.”
Her Advice for Dreamers: “You Can Do Hard Things”
When asked for advice, Jennifer offers wisdom that is both practical and profoundly inspiring. For writers struggling to finish their first book, she suggests a simple, powerful tool: “Putting a word count goal for the day or week. You may not always hit your goal, but it definitely helps make your writing a priority.”
For women who want to tell their own bold stories, her message is one of courage and authenticity. “Everyone always says, ‘write the book you want to read’ but I feel like that’s true,” she affirms. “Write the story in your heart and don’t apologize for it or shy away from it because of anyone else’s judgment… you’ll find your audience. Just keep writing!”
All of this is underpinned by a simple mantra that has guided her through every challenge: “You Can Do Hard Things.” A saying she adopted from her favorite trainer, Autumn Calabrese, it became a lifeline. “I took this saying to heart during my fitness journey and found it 100% translates into everyday life,” she says. “If you tell yourself you can instead of you can’t it opens so many opportunities in every aspect of life.”
This philosophy is the key to her entire story. From the challenge of writing a novel, to navigating the complexities of publishing, to building a business from the ground up, Jennifer Aitken is living proof that you can, indeed, do hard things. As she works on the fourth book in her series, her journey continues to inspire a growing legion of fans and aspiring authors who see in her story a legend of its own making.
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