Exclamation Mark began in a similar fashion. As readers of literary magazines and reviews ourselves, we often felt that many venues preferred writing that was reserved, reflective, and as “beautiful” as possible. Even the magazines that asked for emotional intensity publish work where the feeling itself seemed overshadowed. But what if there were a literary journal devoted entirely to exclamation? Just as people “exclaim” in real life, we wanted to publish works that, as our front page calls, “astonished, delighted, shocked, terrified, excited, alarmed, amused, entertained, startled…” A journal dedicated to exclamation and exclamations themselves.

That’s how it all began on a rainy evening last September. Since then, we’ve bought a domain, created a website, published pieces from new and established writers alike, started nominating for awards, and released our inaugural print issue, which is now available digitally and soon in print. Honestly, it has felt just like a greatly exclaimable dream. We know we would never have made it this far without the help of our passionate submitters, energetic readers, and heartwarming supporters. 

Truly: thank you.

We’d like to conclude this little note with a quote from the king of the Jazz Age, F. Scott Fitzgerald:

“An exclamation point is like laughing at your own joke.”

Really, Fitzgerald?

We admit that sometimes laughing at your own joke can be embarrassing and awkward. But sometimes a joke is so funny that it makes the joker laugh out loud. And perhaps that is what the “exclamation” we so often ask for really means. Jolting things that even the writers themselves couldn’t stand.

Maybe Fitzgerald was right. Maybe he was wrong. Both ways, we hope that Exclamation Mark continues bringing you exclamatory work that carries an exclamation mark in them for the rest of its journey.