Portfolio is Portal’s reading series held at the Black Rabbit Kitchen from September to March in Nanaimo, BC in partnership with our great local indie bookstore Windowseat Books. It typically takes place midweek from 7:00-8:30 pm according to author availability. 

( )

The night opens with readings from three student readers, with excellent work in the same genre as the feature reader, reading for approximately 7 minutes each. There is a brief intermission and then we introduce the keynote reader to do a reading, typically 30-40 minutes, followed by a brief question-and-answer period with the audience. 

The Black Rabbit is a funky venue on Selby Street in the old train station, and its attic loft space fits 30 with room for a sales table and a bar for food and drink orders. We are completely student funded and the event is free, but we offer a $100 honorarium for keynote readers. We anticipate a good turnout and there is buzz about the venue and our series, running since 2018. 

During Covid we recorded readings and interviews, but we are back to live events and happier for it. Check out this page regularly for upcoming events in the fall of 2023. Hope to see you there!

Portfolio Hall of Fame

Tawahum Bige
Frances Peck
Margot Fedoruk
Julie Burtinshaw
Charlie Petch
Neil Surkan
Amanda Hale
Ken Hegan
Rhonda Ganz
Jennifer Wynne Webber
Kathy Page