Letters & Bytes LLC

Editing & Writing | Translation & Interpreting | Web Design

About Me

Katja is a dynamic, multilingual writer and editor with extensive experience creating and editing professional written content in the technology, education, humanities, non-profit, and online news sectors. Clients value their ability to assess and understand client needs and deliver writing that engages their audiences. Katja performs well in deadline-driven, fast-paced environments while pushing creative limits to deliver projects that surpass expectations. They are creative, analytical, and a proven collaborator, adept at leveraging skills across industries and platforms to produce dynamic, innovative content. They are passionate about compelling storytelling and excel at establishing a strong style and a unique voice. Tools of the trade they feel comfortable with include Microsoft and Google Workspace applications, Adobe InDesign, WordPress, GitHub, SEO, HTML, CSS, markdown language, and AP, Chicago, and MLA style. In addition to a Master's degree in Latin American Studies from The University of Chicago and a PhD in History from the University of Washington, Katja holds a Poynter ACES Certificate in Editing and a Diploma in Software Development from Code Institute.

Cuba Counterpoints •

WRITING: Europe’s Refugee Crisis and the Post-Socialist Margins

On October 3, 1990, the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany. This date marked the official final point of the German reunification process. Anthropologist Katherine Verdery points out that the end of communist regimes all over Eastern Europe was often framed as a rescue scenario from the claws of totalitarianism and the beginning path toward life ‘as it should be’ in the formerly socialist block. Indeed, a teleological thinking seemed to take hold, expecting an upward path toward progress and success. Accordingly, in their reunification euphoria, German leaders as well as the public took for granted that the extension of the Western social, economic, and political structures would automatically lead to a prosperous and harmonious society. But it did not. The twenty-fifth anniversary of German reunification this past weekend coincided with what politicians and the media have called the “refugee crisis” and “a huge challenge which will affect German society lastingly.”
Lateinamerika Nachrichten •

WRITING (German): Jahre zwischen Hoffen und Bangen

Im Norden Südamerikas leben Asylsuchende und sans papiers (Menschen ohne gültigen Aufenthaltsstatus) unter oft menschenunwürdigen Bedingungen, und das auf europäischem Territorium. Die Entscheidung über Asylanträge kann sich über Jahre hinziehen. Jahre während derer die AntragstellerInnen nicht arbeiten dürfen und lediglich 300 Euro staatliche Unterstützung im Monat erhalten. Die überwiegende Mehrheit der Anträge wird abgelehnt. Je nach Herkunft erwartet die Menschen in diesem Fall die mittellose Abschiebung in ihr Herkunftsland oder ein Leben in Französisch-Guayana, illegalisiert und wirtschaftlich ausgebeutet. Durch den Abriss von Siedlungen und Hürden bei der Asylantragstellung wird die Situation von staatlicher Seite noch verschlimmert.