“As a disabled artist, there is a unique joy in working with other disabled artists who are gentle and encouraging in ways you are afraid to admit that you need. An emerging lit mag needs readers and writers, but it also needs cheerleaders, and a dedicated team always curates all three.”
— Nisha Patel, Poet Laureate Emeritus of Edmonton and Canadian Poetry Slam Champion
“Self-Explanatory.”
— Richard Kostelanetz, author and critic, recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship
“Really, just wonderful! A great new publication for all the literary fans in Calgary.”
— Alexandra Walker, Editor in Chief of NōD, University of Calgary’s sole creative writing publication
What is ! The only online-first literary outlet in Calgary! We publish works that make you shout. 4 times per month online and 4 times per year in print What ! like Prose and poetry that jolt Why ! Because the best stories don’t end with a period What ! dislike Quiet, safe, forgettable, and period When and where was ! founded February 16, 2026 — Mohkinstsis (Calgary), Alberta. How to get involved in ! Surprise us with your submission, or join our team by contacting us here Wait, what does ! mean [! /ˌɛkskləˈmeɪʃən mɑːrk/ (noun) — A mark of shock. Here, it represents words that refuse to be quiet]
Mastheads
Robert Hills, Editor in Chief. He lives in Calgary and has two cats. robhills@exclamationmarklit.com
Erica McKinnon, Senior Editor & Illustrator, lives in Calgary and has a passion for literature. mckinnonerica667@gmail.com
Devin Xiao, Senior Editor, used to live in Oceania, but now he lives in Australia. ruofanchenxiao@gmail.com
Saya Rodriguez Shigematsu, Editor & Social Media Manager, studies at UC Berkeley. sayakarod@gmail.com
Christopher Anthony, Editor, is a high school English teacher. chris.anthony015@gmail.com
Trinity Laitinen, Editor, is the Vice-President of Parkland Poets’society. trinityfwilson1@gmail.com
Victoria Minarovic, Editorial Assistant, is currently an English Master’s student at the University of Texas at Austin. victoriaeminarovic@gmail.com
Kopai Mukherjee, Editorial Assistant, studies Political Science at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. kopaimukherjee@gmail.com
Prapti Sarkhel, Editorial Assistant, studies Political Science at St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata. praptisarkhel006@gmail.com
Interested in joining us? Contact us here, including a short resume and a “why us” statement. We look forward to work with you soon!
Find us at
Patrons & Supporters
Jody Dahms, Darren Yang, Kaylie Simons, Carrie Aval, Dylan Lloyd, Shrutidhora P Mohor.
Your support helps keep Exclamation Mark alive! Regardless of the amount they donate, all donors will be acknowledged on our website’s supporter list. Donate here.
Land Acknowledgement
We acknowledges and pays tribute to the traditional territories of the peoples of Treaty 7, which include the Blackfoot Confederacy (comprised of the Siksika, the Piikani, and the Kainai First Nations), the Tsuut’ina First Nation, and the Stoney Nakoda (including Chiniki, Bearspaw, and Goodstoney First Nations), and the Métis Nation (including Nose Hill Métis District 5 and Elbow Métis District 6).