Workshop: Kiki Astor: The Pen Name Playbook Overcoming "Writer's Block"

Workshop Title: The Pen Name Playbook: Overcoming "The REAL Writer's Block" and Building a Massive Platform in Disguise

Presenter: Kiki Astor

Workshop Description: Many romantasy and romance authors choose to write under a pen name for privacy, branding, or creative freedom. But what happens when that veil of anonymity becomes a wall?

We often think of "writer's block" as a lack of inspiration or a missing muse. However, for pseudonymous authors, the block rarely happens at the blank page—it happens at the finish line. The true hurdle is the fear of finishing, publishing, and promoting your book because you don't know how to build a platform or market yourself when you can't be "you."

In this highly actionable and encouraging workshop, romance author and digital strategist Kiki Astor redefines writer's block for the modern indie and traditional author. Drawing from her extensive experience—having written a non-fiction book and taught masterclasses on overcoming creative blocks under her legal name—Kiki will show you how to step out of your own way and confidently launch your alter ego into the world.

Attendees will learn that you don't need to share your private life to build a deeply engaged, authentic community. Kiki will pull back the curtain on the exact social media strategies she used to build her own "Kiki Astor" platform to over 270,000 followers and 200,000 podcast downloads. Whether you are self-publishing your first romantasy or navigating traditional publishing, this workshop will give you the tools to stop hiding and start thriving.

What You Will Learn:

• The Myth of the Muse: How to identify the real root of your "writer's block"—the fear of publishing and promoting under a pseudonym—and actionable steps to conquer it.
• The Faceless Connection: Strategies for building a highly engaged author platform and social media presence without revealing your real identity or crossing your personal boundaries.
• Content Pillars for Pen Names: What to post when you can't post yourself. How to use aesthetics, tropes, niche interests, and persona to attract your ideal readers.
• The Hybrid Advantage: Insights from Kiki’s dual journey as a successful self-published romance author and an agented non-fiction writer.

About the Presenter: Kiki Astor is a romance author, etiquette expert, and the host of the hit podcast Awkward Etiquette: Old Money and New Manners (over 200k downloads). Operating entirely under her pen name, Kiki has built a loyal social media community of over 270,000 followers. She successfully navigates the publishing world as a hybrid author, independently publishing her romance novels while being agented for her non-fiction work. Under her legal name, she has also authored non-fiction and taught extensive classes on overcoming writer's block and building creative habits.

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Host or Publisher Santa Barbara Literary Festival