Hi Friend, The holidays are approaching, and I’ve been feeling a bit Grinchy about it all—as if the season has somehow shifted from one of joy to one giant chore when I wasn’t looking. How did that happen?! I’ve always loved the holidays, but this year, they feel like too much (wait, does everything feel like too much??). Like that Christmas song says, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”—except right now I’m feeling the first part—It’s the most…, no extra words needed. So I’ve been trying to reframe the season from oh no, the holidays are coming! to something softer, maybe a space where we choose the moments we actually need: a good conversation, a day of PJs and reading in a comfy chair, a spontaneous get-together, hot cocoa, or just a quiet hour watching the fog sink into the trees. For me it’s—slowing down, staying offline, shopping less and/or with more intention.
I know this last year has been a lot for many of us (personally, I’ve felt in some sort of crisis-mode since May 2024!) But I read the other day that the opposite of anxiety is creativity (I always thought it was calmness, as I am highly creative with my anxiety and worst-case scenarios!) But what the author shared was that we can take all those uncomfortable emotions and make something from them—write a poem, journal, paint something, or even string fairy lights in the laundry room just because. Make beauty where there wasn’t any. And I like that idea—leave the world a little better each day. Create when you can. One of my beliefs as a poet and a human trying her best to navigate this strange, gorgeous, difficult planet is remembering that our time is limited and instead of giving my energy into what I don’t like, I try to amplify and share what I love. So in that spirit, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite things (and maybe it will make your shopping—if you do shop!—a little easier). Also—when you can, try to shop indie and/or local this season—your local bookstore, your neighborhood shops, artists and indie sellers on Etsy. I know it’s tempting to click “buy now” because “next day delivery,” but every time we shop locally, our money circulates through our own communities and helps individuals and families over corporations (yay!). 🎁 Favorite Things (The Early Holiday Shopper’s Edition) 🎁
The Days of Accidental Devotions (which sounds like a new soap opera!)Other than that, I’ve been spending my days/my daze deep in the cathedral of proofing my next book of poems, Accidental Devotions, which comes out May 12, 2026 from Copper Canyon Press. I’m both wildly excited and proud of this book, but also carrying some anxiety that comes with sending something so personal into the world. It’s very much that feeling of Omg, this is the best thing I’ve ever written! and Omg, I didn’t realize vulnerability has a publication date! It’s a lot, but a good lot. I do hope you’ll like it. Also if you know of any opportunities—podcasts, interview series, guest-speaking gigs at universities, online readings, conversations about poetry, desire, Emily Dickinson, technology, grief, the Pacific Northwest, or just being a human in the world—feel free to send them my way. You can reply to this email or always reach me at: kelli@agodon.com So that’s the downlow on the book and the favs. I hope you’re hanging in there—maybe even thriving! Or slowing down enough to spot the bits of beauty trying their best to outshine the ugly stuff as we continue spin together on this strange little planet. Oh! And before I go, I want to share this image I snapped in downtown Seattle—just in case you need to hear this today:
Sending peace, love, and poetry,
📍Where to find me: Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Daydreaming Thanks for reading. Subscribe for poetry, creativity, and notes from a poet.
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Tuesday, November 18, 2025
🎁 My *Favorite Things* List
Step and Repeat Banners Continue to Redefine Event Visuals and Brand Engagement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2025
United States
The Step and Repeat banner, a distinctive visual element at gatherings worldwide, maintains its prominence as a fundamental tool for event organizers, businesses, and public figures seeking heightened visibility. Originating from the world of celebrity gatherings and photo calls, these branded backdrops have expanded their utility, becoming a staple across a diverse array of events, from professional trade shows to personal celebrations.
A Step and Repeat banner features a repeating pattern of logos, sponsor names, or other brand elements, providing a consistent visual background for photography and media interviews. Its primary design purpose is to establish immediate brand visibility, allowing companies and individuals to maximize exposure through shared images and videos from their events. This repeated visual presence ensures that every photograph taken against the backdrop implicitly carries the event's identity or its sponsors' messages, creating numerous photo opportunities that extend brand promotion far beyond the physical location.
The versatility of the Step and Repeat banner extends to its construction. These backdrops are available in various materials and stand configurations to meet differing event needs and budgets. Vinyl banners, known for their durability and cost-effectiveness, are a frequent selection, particularly for outdoor use or settings where cleaning is straightforward. While vinyl surfaces can exhibit glare under flash photography, advances in printing technology have introduced matte finishes to reduce this effect. Conversely, fabric banners provide a premium appearance with a soft, non-glare finish, making them highly desirable for high-profile indoor events like Red Carpet Events and gala celebrations. Fabric options are often wrinkle-resistant, portraying a polished visual impact.
The physical support for these backdrops also presents choices. The banner stand is an integral component, offering portability and ease of assembly. Telescopic stands provide adjustable width and height, accommodating various space requirements and banner sizes. For a more seamless and taut presentation, pop-up banner stands, often utilizing tension fabric displays, create a smooth, wall-like effect, frequently referred to as a Media Wall or Logo Wall. These portable display systems simplify setup and breakdown, an advantage for event event planning teams.
Effective design remains central to a Step and Repeat banner's effectiveness. Custom design services specialize in arranging logos with appropriate spacing and repetition to ensure each brand mark is clear and unobstructed in photographs. High-quality printing is paramount, necessitating high-resolution graphics, typically vector files, to prevent pixelation when scaled for large format printing. Graphic design professionals guide clients in selecting suitable color modes and ensuring adherence to brand guidelines for a cohesive and professional presentation.
The application of Step and Repeat banners spans a wide spectrum of events. At Corporate Events and Trade Shows, they act as powerful tools for event marketing, attracting attendees and providing a consistent backdrop for interviews and company announcements. During Press Conferences, the repetition of logos reinforces sponsor recognition for media outlets. At private gatherings such as weddings or parties, personalized photo backdrops featuring monograms or themed graphics enhance the celebratory atmosphere and create memorable picture opportunities. Sponsorships are frequently highlighted on these banners, providing tangible value to contributing organizations through repeated exposure.
The continued evolution of digital marketing and social media platforms amplifies the value of Step and Repeat banners. Images captured against these backdrops are readily shared across social channels, generating organic reach and amplifying brand messages to broader audiences. This digital footprint extends the life of the event's visual branding, providing enduring returns on investment for advertising efforts.
Companies specializing in printing services offer a range of custom banners solutions, working with clients to determine the ideal materials, sizes, and stand types for their specific needs. From initial graphic design concepts to final large format printing and delivery, these providers help businesses and individuals translate their branding aspirations into a physical photo backdrop that makes a statement.
The Step and Repeat banner remains an indispensable asset for effective brand promotion and visual communication at any significant gathering. Its simplicity in concept belies its powerful capacity to elevate an event's profile and deliver sustained brand visibility in an increasingly visual world.
Apex Display Solutions is a leading provider of high-quality event display products, specializing in custom Step and Repeat banners, Media Walls, and trade show exhibits. With a focus on superior printing services and custom design, Apex Display Solutions helps clients achieve impactful brand visibility at Corporate Events, Trade Shows, and special occasions.
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Wednesday, November 5, 2025
👻 Haunted House Reading? Editing Tip? Poetry Prompt? --Yes, Yes, Yes.
👻 Haunted House Reading? Editing Tip? Poetry Prompt? --Yes, Yes, Yes.And a Few Things from Two Sylvias Press!
It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year 👻 🍁 & Copper Canyon Press ReadingHow is it November 5th already? Because I love Spooky Season (Oct. 1–31), I really tried to slow down October—watching Halloween shows, lighting candles, doing something autumn-festive almost every day—but somehow we’ve still arrived at the darker days of November with the sun setting at 4:46 p.m. tonight in the Pacific Northwest. Yes, night is coming earlier now and it’s pouring outside as I type this, but the good news? This darkness and weather make for perfect writing time. I had the joy of reading from my next collection, Accidental Devotions, at the gorgeous (slightly haunted) Stimson-Green Mansion hosted by Copper Canyon Press.
Thanks for reading The A-List: Notes from my Electric Typewriter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. After a stretch of gorgeous autumn days, we got a stormy, windy Seattle night—one of those “who’s even leaving their house?” evenings, in fact, I was convinced it would be me in this giant mansion reading to ghosts. But somehow (magic?), it was a full house! I have never been to this mansion before, but it was the perfect historic (read: spooky) place to be a week before Halloween. And I did read a poem about a seance with Rilke’s ghost and well, nothing fell from the walls, so maybe not that haunted. It also reminded me how good it feels to be around people who genuinely love poetry. Since the pandemic, I’ve found it harder to motivate myself to go out to events in Seattle. I joke with friends, “Remember when we used to do things?” But that night, it felt good to show up, to be part of something meaningful. I’ve been thinking about how important it is to support the things we want to last—especially the arts. Copper Canyon remains one of the rare long-time presses entirely devoted to poetry, and I’m so grateful to be part of their family. The event was also a fundraiser, so if you’d like to help them keep bringing more poetry into the world—you can make a donation here.
An Editing Tip for ManuscriptsSpeaking of Accidental Devotions (Copper Canyon Press)—I am on my second set of proofs (the book will be published May 12, 2026)! One of the coolest things Copper Canyon does are these “proof sheets,” which are fantastic if you’re trying to edit your own manuscript.
Basically, if you use a word that can be spelled two ways (“blond” vs. “blonde”), you jot it under that letter with the page number to make sure you’re consistent. They also include any nonstandard words—which, as you can guess, I use plenty of. And the bonus of this task: you end up with this bizarre little museum of your book’s vocabulary. Mine includes “afterlife” (five times!) along with some of my invented words like duskbirds, lustheavy, and rosesmoke. So here’s your tip—if you’re working on a manuscript, I really recommend trying this as you can easily create your own proof sheet—it’s a surprisingly effective way to catch small mistakes before you submit.
✍️ Two Sylvias Offerings Right Now:Despite everything—and a rent hike (!!)—Annette Spaulding-Convy and I are still here, keeping Two Sylvias Press afloat in these wild times. Annette and I have also been busy writing new poetry prompts and exercises to help folks stay creative (and sane!) through it all. Here are two ways to stop the “doomscrolling” and start a little “poemquesting.”
Here’s our lineup through February 2026: This week— November 7 we have Jane Wong teaching a class on Deep Image; on December 8, Melissa Studdard and I will be teaching a class on collaborations; on January 22, Marie Howe will share her wisdom on what happens when a poet contradicts herself (and yes, the Marie Howe will be joining us!); and on February 11, Traci Brimhall will lead a class on sweet & spicy love poems. We’ll also have spring classes with Lauren Davis and Elena Karina Byrne, plus a few surprises we can’t reveal just yet. And if you sign up right now, you can join us THIS Friday for Jane Wong (Zoom registration link will come in your Welcome Letter!) —And yes, we do record EVERY Zoom class in case you can’t join us in real time. Along with the classes, Annette Spaulding-Convy and I will also you weekly poetry prompts and writing exercises—plus submission calls, inspiration, interviews with poets, and more. You’ll receive it in your inbox every Sunday morning—we see it as a small creative reset to help you stay organized and to prioritize your writing in a world that keeps trying to distract you. (You can even give the Weekly Muse as a gift!) Price: $18.99 a month or $198 for a year of Zoom classes and weekly poetry prompts. If you want to join us, you can sign up here.
Whew! If you made it this far, thank you for reading and for being part of my corner of the world. It feels as if it’s been a decade of “one thing after another” or “one thing after twenty other things!”—and yet here we are, still finding ways to connect throughout the chaos. I’ll be sharing my Favorite Things list later in November. I keep hoping to post more here, but you know how life goes—some days you write a poem, some days you scream into the void while your cat watches, unimpressed. I’m kidding…(or am I?) Sending love through the interwebs,
📍Where to find me: Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, Daydreaming Thanks for reading The A-List: Notes from my Electric Typewriter! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
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