Pasadena, CA - Kalvin M. Madsen, a creative writer and journalist, has won second place in the 2025 Colonel Darron L. Wright Memorial Writing Awards for his prose piece, "Bad Impact." The story, which focuses on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) resulting from military drones, was submitted to the "Prose by a Military Family Member" category. The competition is presented by Line of Advance, a non-profit literary journal founded by three veterans who served together in Afghanistan. The organization is committed to providing a platform for veterans and their families to share their stories. The award honors Colonel Darron L. Wright, an infantry commander and writer who was killed in a 2013 parachute training accident. Judge Danback-McGhan praised the submissions in the category for their "psychological depth, rendered in direct prose, offering the reader the right details at the right time." Madsen's winning entry was one of three recognized in the category. First place went to Allison Whittenberg for "Sharing Soap," and Scott Holleran placed third for "Boom-Boom Goes to Jail." Madsen says he wrote the story based on his experience listening to daily news updates from various ongoing military conflicts, and specifically stories about attacks on civil infrastructure. The story is also about, he claims, the rise of a new type of PTSD which is specifically linked to the sound and appearance of quad-copter drones. Kalvin, a Pasadena resident, is a journalist for Local News Pasadena, where he covers community stories and local culture. His work has also appeared in publications such as The Pomona Valley Review and Felix Magazine, and he is also the Editor and Chief of this magazine. Find the story here: https://www.lineofadvance.org/blog/2025/8/13/bad-impact

The latest issue of the esteemed literary journal Blue Earth Review (Issue 33) has placed the work of visual artist Carella Keil firmly in the spotlight, selecting her as its sole Featured Visual Artist. This prestigious honor gives Keil’s artwork a commanding presence in the issue. One of her pieces was chosen for the cover, and a portfolio of nine distinct images is featured exclusively within its pages, making her work the singular visual statement of the entire volume. Blue Earth Review, published at Minnesota State University, Mankato, is known for seeking “ambitious and exuberant works... that enrich our understanding of what it means to be human in this increasingly diverse world.” The selection of a single artist’s portfolio is a testament to the strength, coherence, and impact of Keil’s vision, demonstrating how her art aligns with the journal’s mission to showcase insightful and conversation-starting creative work. While the art itself invites discovery within the pages of the journal, Keil’s professional Instagram handle, @catalogue.of.dreams, hints at a style that is evocative and imaginative. By featuring her work so prominently, Blue Earth Review invites readers to immerse themselves fully in her unique aesthetic. To see Carella Keil's featured artwork: Explore the issue on the Blue Earth Review website: blueearthreview.mnsu.edu/issues Purchase a copy of Issue 33: blueearthreview.submittable.com Follow the artist's work on Instagram: @catalogue.of.dreams

OTTAWA, ON – What happens when the promise of a technological utopia reveals its hidden risks? This is the question at the heart of Seed Beetle, the powerful debut full-length collection from Ottawa-based writer Mahaila Smith (any pronouns), which was released on May 15 from Stelliform Press. Told as a "novelette in verse," the book compiles the illustrated poems of its protagonist, Nebula Armis, to build a dystopian narrative. The story is set in a near-future southern Ontario where industrialization has led to desertification and food insecurity. A corporation named Utopic Robotics arrives with a message of hope: a swarm of automated beetles designed to revitalize the ravaged land. But as the community embraces this technological savior, the true costs begin to surface. Through sharp, speculative poetry, Smith explores the dangers of relying solely on science to solve complex environmental problems. The publisher notes that the collection uses "femme and queer perspectives" to lay "bare the social implications of a technological savior, and creates a blueprint for co-opting technology in the name of community and connection." The collection has already garnered significant praise. Tiffany Morris, author of Green Fuse Burning, called it "truly cyborgian poetry." Conyer Clayton found it "a dystopian yet incredibly tender other world," and Manahil Bandukwala praised the work as "witty, sharp, and heartfelt." Mahaila Smith is a rising voice in speculative literature. Their debut chapbook, Claw Machine, was published in 2020, followed by Water-Kin in 2024. Alongside their writing, Smith also serves as a co-editor for The Sprawl Mag. Since the book's launch in May, Smith has been actively promoting the work, including a recent reading at the Factory Reading Series in Ottawa last month. Seed Beetle is available now from Stelliform Press. To learn more about Mahaila Smith and their work, visit their official website at mahailasmith.ca.