Creative Writing and Journalism

News Stories

An illustrated image of a woman with purple skin and blue strokes on her skin with red flowers in her hair.

Portal “rewires and connects” at the launch of its 2024 issue

April 16, 2024

The magazine launches on April 26 at the Nanaimo Curling Club from 7 to 9:30 pm. Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) student-run, full-colour literary magazine, Portal, celebrates the release of its 33rd annual issue.  This year the magazine is launching at a new venue  – the upstairs lounge of the Nanaimo Curling Club, 106 Wall St. Doors open at 6:30 pm and tickets are $20, which includes a... Read more


Graphic of a hare with the text Karen Solie 2024 Gustafson Distinguished Poet's Lecture, The Path of the Hare.

Celebrated poet Karen Solie to give VIU Gustafson lecture

January 30, 2024

Update: The Karen Solie Gustafson poet lecture and readings have been rescheduled to March 13 and 14. Please note the new dates and times below: The student reading is on March 13 from 10 to 11:30 am in the Malaspina Theatre lobby (Building 310) The community reading is on March 13 at White Sails, 125 Comox Road, from 7 to 8:30 pm, with student Sam Bollinger opening for Solie.  The Gustafson... Read more


Spenser Smith profile

Alum of the Month: Spenser Smith

September 6, 2023

Struggling with substance use in his hometown of Regina, Saskatchewan, Spenser Smith decided to come to a residential treatment centre in Nanaimo. Following his treatment, he made the decision to stay in the city after falling in love “with the rainforest, the wildlife and the small caring community.” He also decided to enroll in VIU’s Creative Writing program to chase his dreams of becoming a... Read more


Headshot of Stephen Hume

5 Questions with Stephen Hume

January 20, 2023

Stephen Hume, a Vancouver Island University (VIU) Creative Writing and Journalism Professor, received the Bruce Hutchinson Lifetime Achievement Award from the Jack Webster Foundation. The award, which Hume received this July, recognizes the exemplary careers of BC journalists. It is presented to senior reporters and editors who have received distinction in their communities for work of long-... Read more


M. NourbeSe Philip stands in the front of a classroom.

Groundbreaking poet M. NourbeSe Philip to deliver VIU Gustafson lecture

October 17, 2022

Philip’s lecture is on October 27 from 7 to 8:30 pm on the Nanaimo campus. Renowned poet, writer and anti-racism activist M. NourbeSe Philip is Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Ralph Gustafson Distinguished Poet for 2022-23. Philip’s lecture is October 27 from 7 to 8:30 pm on the Nanaimo campus in Building 355, Room 203. It is free to attend and will be followed by a catered reception, cash... Read more


5 Questions with Joy Gugeler

August 11, 2022

Joy Gugeler teaches Creative Writing, Journalism and Media Studies courses at Vancouver Island University (VIU).  This summer, Gugeler was nominated for the Karen Virag Award from the Editors’ Association of Canada. She also arranged a First Book Canada pop-up book event at the VIU Nanaimo campus to distribute free books to public schools, libraries and other non-profits. Gugeler is the Publisher... Read more


An interior of a vehicle with the top of the driver and passenger sears visible. Text across the image says Portal 2022 Words to Transport You.

Portal Hosts First In-Person Launch Since 2020

April 19, 2022

The launch is on April 29 at The Grand Hotel from 6-8:30 pm. Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) student-run annual literary magazine is going to be celebrated in-person for the first time in three years thanks to the lifting of Covid restrictions and a desire for face-to-face festivities to mark the accomplishments of nearly 90 contributors since 2020. Portal 2022, a full-colour magazine, is... Read more


A headshot of Susan Juby.

5 Questions with Susan Juby

April 4, 2022

Susan Juby, a Nanaimo-based author and Vancouver Island University Creative Writing Professor, had two new novels hit the bookshelves this March. Mindful of Murder, released March 8, features Helen Thorpe, a smart, preternaturally calm and deeply insightful butler who uses her sleuthing skills to unravel the mystery of the death of her former employer Edna. Helen is the executor of Edna’s will.... Read more


AL Moritz headshot

Griffin Prize-Winning Poet A.F. Moritz to Give VIU Gustafson Lecture and Reading

February 17, 2022

The annual lecture will take place on March 3, 2022, on the Nanaimo campus. A.F. Moritz, one of Canada’s most esteemed and decorated poets, is Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Ralph Gustafson Distinguished Poet for 2021-22. The annual lecture will take place on March 3 in the Ralph Gustafson Lecture Theatre in Building 355 at VIU’s Nanaimo campus. His talk, entitled “Poetry: Future Present... Read more


Craig Taylor.

5 Questions with Craig Taylor

December 16, 2021

Craig Taylor, the best-selling author of Londoners, a collection of short stories about residents that paints a portrait of today’s London, has yet another accomplishment under his belt – he recently received the 2021 Brooklyn Public Library Literary Prize for Non-fiction. Taylor, a Vancouver Island University (VIU) Creative Writing and Journalism Professor, received the prize for his latest book... Read more