Trying to output columns with the loop, not working. Why?

hi!

Im trying to output 9 columns post list from a CPT and respective categories. Not sure why its not working. This is what i got so far:

<?php

$last_char = '';
$args=array(
    'post_type' => 'portfolio',
    'orderby' => 'title',
    'order' => 'ASC',
    'posts_per_page'=>-1,
    'portfolio-category' => 'indie',
    'ignore_sticky_posts'=>1
);

$my_query = new WP_Query($args);

$columnCount = 0;

?>

<?php if( $my_query->have_posts() ) : ?>
 <?php  echo 'Alphabetic index of all ' . count($my_query->posts) . ' posts'; ?>

    <table>
        <tr>
            <?php while ($my_query->have_posts()) : ?>
                <?php if ($columnCount == 8): ?>
                    </tr>
                    <tr>
                    <?php $columnCount = 0; ?>
                <?php endif; ?>

                <td>
                <?php $my_query->the_post(); ?>
                <?php $this_char = strtoupper(substr($post->post_title,0,1)); ?>

                <?php if ($this_char != $last_char) :
                     $last_char = $this_char; ?>
                    <h2> <?= $last_char; ?></h2>
                <?php endif; ?>

                <p><a href="<?php the_permalink() ?>" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link to <?php the_title_attribute(); ?>"><?php the_title(); ?></a></p>
                </td>
            <?php endwhile; ?>
            <?php if ($columnCount != 8): ?>
                </tr><!-- Make sure the last row gets closed. -->
            <?php endif; ?>
    </table>
<?php endif; ?>

<?php wp_reset_query();  // Restore global post data stomped by the_post(). ?>