Jan van Aken (Herwen en Aerdt, 9 August 1961) is a Dutch writer, who worked in the cultural sector and in automation.

The third novel De dwaas van Palmyra takes place in the 1st Century and describes the travels of the philosopher Apollonius of Tyana to India, as later seen through the eyes of his student, Damis.

In Koning voor een dag, the protagonist is the historic poet Hipponax, who lived in Ionia during the 6th Century.

It takes place during the time of Julian the Apostate, seen through the eyes of a group of boys belonging to a Christian Sect who ended up being involved in an assassination plot.

This large-scale novel covers the period between 350 and 392 C.E.. Van Aken was previously published in the magazines Optima and Nieuw Wereldtijdschrift.