The COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation by surprise, leaving thousands of people confined to their homes. Boredom was inevitable during the lockdown, but this boredom inspired one Harper College student. At just 16 years old, Aiden Branss chugged a cup of coffee, opened Google Docs, and started writing.
What began as a way to let off steam turned into something Branss never could have predicted: a book. “2020! From A Teenagers POV” came out in February 2021, but the journey to get it published was not easy.
“I got denied by everybody without any hesitation,” Branss said. “They told me, ‘I’m sorry we can’t do this.’”
The constant rejections did not stop Branss from finding an alternative. Branss decided to self-publish, determined to get his words out there.
“I knew people needed to see this, even if some may think it was crazy and out of nowhere,” Branss said. “I just knew I had to do it.”
Now at 21 years old, Branss runs the company Aiden Branss Books. The self-published author reflects on why he decided to start a company.
“I started the company because there’s a lot of people my age who don’t get their voices out there.” Branss said. “These mainstream people don’t want to give us a chance. That’s why I felt like I had to build this platform.”
With the help of his company, Branss started receiving attention. Aiden Branss Books attended its first live event in the Chicago Brentano neighborhood during Black History Month, where Branss and published author Jahkel Madison spoke to younger students. The company later went on to attend events at various libraries and festivals around Illinois.
As of now, Aiden Branss Books works with five other authors who consider themselves “one big friend group.” The company has a “specific branding,” so it’s important to agree on certain things.
“We’ve all read each other’s books, but everybody gets to do their own thing. I don’t tell them what to write; I don’t have any influence on that,” Branss explained.
Branss’ first breakthrough came from an everyday moment with his grandmother.
“We [Aiden Branss Books] didn’t get on TV until about a year and a half into all of this,” Branss said. “I was watching TV with my grandma when I saw a channel called WGN. I thought I should try to get on it, so I called them. After that, other channels reached out to me.”
Aiden Branss Books was later featured on channels including Fox Local, PBS Chicago Tonight, WTTW News, WCIU The U, and others. Branss even bought an ad to be displayed in Times Square.
But with all the good, sometimes comes the bad. Branss said the negativity can be challenging, especially on social media, where critics often dismiss his work because of his age.
“It’s difficult at times because some people are automatically jealous or can’t be supportive,” Branss said. “Honestly, I just tell people you have to thug it out. Who cares what they think?”
Branss is still an active student at Harper College, balancing school and running his company.
“It can be difficult at times. Most people get to finish at Harper in two years, and this is technically my third year,” Branss said. “I haven’t been able to fully dedicate all my time to my education. I’m trying to put all my effort into going to school and learning, but I also got a company to run.”
Despite his busy schedule, Branss makes time to write. His new book, “Rise of The Viper Empire,” is set to be released on November 1st and will be available for purchase online.
“My new book “Rise of The Viper Empire” is a bit of a crazy read,” Branns said. “It involves lizard people and is connected to all the other books my friends and I have written.”
When asked for advice, Branss said, “I always tell people you never know unless you take that risk. If you go for it, you never know where it may take you.”
