Robert Hills, Editor in Chief. He lives in Calgary and has two cats. robhills@exclamationmarklit.com
Erica McKinnon, Editor & Illustrator, is yet another inhabitant of earth. mckinnonerica667@gmail.com
Devin Xiao, Editor, used to live in Oceania, but now he lives in Australia. ruofanchenxiao@gmail.com
Saya Rodriguez Shigematsu, Editorial Assistant & Social Media Manager, studies at UC Berkeley. sayakarod@gmail.com
Christopher Anthony, Editorial Assistant, is a high school English teacher. chris.anthony015@gmail.com
Trinity Laitinen, Editorial Assistant, is the Vice-President of Parkland Poets’society. trinityfwilson1@gmail.com
Victoria Minarovic, Volunteer Reader, 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.
Q & A
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
Safe, quiet, forgettable, and period
Who is ! for
Anyone who craves words that burst
When and where was ! founded
February 16, 2026 — Mohkinstsis (Calgary), Alberta. Got the idea while eating at U&Me (Centre St.)
Who to Submit?
We aim to champion Calgarian, Albertan and Indigenous voices. But writers around the globe can submit too
How to get involved in !
Surprise us with your submission, or join our team
Wait, what does ! mean
! /ˌɛkskləˈmeɪʃən mɑːrk/ (noun) — A mark of shock. Here, it represents words that refuse to be quiet
“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
Find us at
Listed in the CLMP Directory of Literary Magazines and Presses
Listed in Poets & Writers directory of Literary Magazines
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.