Mary Pinkoski is a spoken word poet from Edmonton and the winner of the 2008 National CBC Poetry Faceoff. She has performed internationally, touring throughout Alberta, British Columbia, and Washington. Her poetry has been called "brilliant and visceral" (Thomas Trofimuk (author), the Edmonton Roar). Jack McCarthy, renown spoken word poet, has said of Mary's work: "I. Jack McCarthy, don't usually recommend a poet to a venue unless I think there's an absolutely perfect fit. I am however giving my unqualified endorsement to Mary Pinkoski. Any venue that has a stage, a microphone, and an audience would be foolish to pass up the chance to book her. (Actually, stage and microphone are optional.)"