The BrainScramble Magazine has a place for everyone.
As BrainScramble is now bi-coastal, all members are encouraged to work together and interact in order to maximize productivity and fluidity between our branches.
BRAINSCRAMBLE TORONTO
OCTOBER 2025: BrainScramble Toronto is currently seeking writers, editors, and visual artists (photographers, artists, mixed-media designers) to join our team! Applications are due on November 1st 2025 at 11:59 PM.
Community Submissions are also open as of October 2025. If you have submitted a Community Submission previously and not heard back, do re-submit it and note this. We underwent a management shift, and will now be able to keep Community Submissions monitored and published on a rolling basis. Thank you!
A NOTE: BrainScramble Toronto is not affiliated directly to a university (i.e. uoft); it is independently run. Therefore, despite being based in and publishing out of Toronto, this branch accepts applicants globally. We currently have members based in BC, Germany, the US, and the UK! All in-person events are hosted in Toronto.
Writers:
Our writing department produces all articles for both our online and print issues, and will be required to write throughout our publishing season, producing at least one piece for each bimonthly issues. Additional/optional responsibilities include writing for physical zines and performing at spoken word events. All members will have the opportunity to write about whatever they please, but must undergo editing and approval. BrainScramble publishes personal essays, op-eds, poetry, short fiction, theatre excerpts, interviews, media reviews, and any other kind of creative writing.
Editors:
The editorial team is in charge of helping writers communicate the message they are trying to put out into the world. As an editor, you will be asked to edit around 2-3 pieces near the end of each month in the span of a week. You will be asked and expected to communicate consistently with the writers of your delegated pieces as well as with the Editor-in-Chief and Editing Deputy.
Visual Artists:
The BrainScramble Toronto visuals team consists of artists (traditional, digital), photographers, and mixed-media artists. Visual artists create artwork to accompany written pieces, as well as independent work to be published on BrainScramble for bimonthly issues. Additional and optional responsibilities include creating artwork for physical zines, and event/behind-the-scenes photography and videography. Photographers are in charge of conceptualizing and running their photoshoots. All creatives should be able to think thematically and originally. Camera equipment and lighting equipment should be owned prior, but there are resources that we can use to borrow equipment.
Marketing:
Our marketing team will be in charge of keeping our social media accounts active, designing posters, making graphics that pertain to our brand image, and pitching new projects that will maximize audience engagement.
Please contact Elisa, Toronto branch co-president and literary director, with any general magazine or writer-related questions at [email protected] and the subject line BS Toronto Inquiry.
For any specifically visual artist related questions, contact Maggie, the visuals department head, at @maggiestown on Instagram.
For any specifically editor related questions, contact Alloe, Toronto branch co-president and chief editor, at @alloemakhasaposse on Instagram.
BRAINSCRAMBLE BERKELEY
Thank you for your interest in joining The BrainScramble Berkeley. We are currently no longer accepting applications for the Fall 2025 cycle, but we will be recruiting for Spring 2026. Check back here for more information closer to the date.
BrainScramble Berkeley Application Handbook: Click here for event times, recruitment information, and insight into BrainScramble as a publication.
Interest Form: Click here to join our email list, where we will send useful information to potential applicants regarding event times, recruitment information, etc.
Applications:
- Writer Application Here.
- Photographer/ Videographer Application Here.
- Artist Application Here.
- Design Application Here.
CoffeeChats:
Presidents: Alyssa Zhang, Rhys Demarest
Internal VP: Ali DeBoer
External VP: Caitlin Poletsetsky
Treasurer: Ginger Rubin
Writing Department Heads: Oliver Baker, Annika Budhwani
Arts Department Heads: Coco Colwell, Sofie Fu
Photography Department Heads: Tressa Davies, Felix Schura
Design Department Heads: Elliot Bramson, Collette Wilson
Recruitment Chairs: Haifa Muang, Alaya Rocco
Writing Team:
As a writer for The BrainScramble, you’ll create original content that aligns with the semester’s theme, including essays, poetry, reviews, and more. Collaboration with the editor-in-chief, deputy editor, and visual team is key to refining your work and meeting deadlines. You’ll also participate in peer editing and creative review, helping to shape the publication’s voice while staying informed on literary and artistic trends. Writers are expected to contribute 2-3 pieces per semester, with possible accommodations available through discussion with editors.
Photography Team:
As a photographer for BrainScramble, you’ll play a key role in shaping the magazine’s visual aesthetic by capturing images that align with its themes and elevate the written content. Your work will be featured online, in print, and on social media. Collaboration with writers and editors is crucial for developing concepts and meeting deadlines. You’ll also engage in photography trends, participate in critique sessions, and help maintain a cohesive visual identity across platforms.
Photographers are expected to complete 2-3 visual projects per semester, with at least one project complementing an article. Accommodations may be arranged through discussion with creative directors or deputies.
Artist Team:
As an artist for The BrainScramble Magazine, you’ll create visually stunning artwork that enhances the magazine’s narrative and themes, including illustrations, digital designs, and mixed media. Your work will be featured online, in print, and on social media, either complementing written content or standing alone as impactful pieces. You’ll collaborate with writers and editors to align your creations with the magazine’s vision, participate in brainstorming sessions, and contribute to each issue’s visual identity. Staying current with artistic trends, engaging in critiques, and maintaining high-quality standards are essential. Artists are expected to complete 2-3 visual projects per semester, with at least one project complementing an article, and accommodations may be made by discussing with the creative directors or deputies.
Design/Marketing Team:
The Design/Marketing Department is responsible for shaping the visual identity of BrainScramble Magazine. As a member, you will create designs that both complement written and visual content and stand alone as impactful works of art. This may include illustrations, digital graphics, mixed media, or other visual forms, shared primarily through print and social media.
Designers will collaborate with other departments to ensure their work reflects the magazine’s vision. Team members participate in brainstorming sessions, critiques, and creative reviews, contributing to the development of each issue’s aesthetic. Staying current with artistic trends, maintaining high-quality craft, and bringing creativity and innovation are essential to the role. The department will hold creative review sessions, where projects will be peer edited and presented to the Design Team.
The Design Department is organized into two committees and strong communication between them is vital. Members of the Design Committee will be responsible for creating graphics throughout the semester for various BrainScramble projects including club events, member spotlights, and magazine layout. The Marketing Committee will focus on creating content for BrainScramble’s social media accounts, ensuring content is engaging, cohesive, and reflective of the magazine’s voice. Together, both committees will work to unify the magazine’s brand and presence, both in print and online.