Kalvin M. Madsen
Mar 18, 2025
Told as a "novelette in verse," the book compiles the illustrated poems of its protagonist, Nebula Armis, to build a dystopian narrative.
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.
