Tajja Isen

Profile Photo

Tajja Isen (@tajjaisen) is the editor-in-chief of Catapult. Her first book, Some of My Best Friends: Essays on Lip Service, was published in April 2022.

Stories

Cover Photo: On the left is the cover of Elamin Abdelmahmoud's book, Son of Elsewhere, which depicts an illustration of a road snaking into the distance. On the right is a portrait of Abdelmahmoud, who is sitting at a table with his head propped against his fist and is smiling at the camera.
“I’m not very good at hating things”: A Conversation with Elamin Abdelmahmoud

The writer and podcaster discusses his new book ‘Son of Elsewhere,’ taking pop culture seriously, and not inviting his Twitter self to the writing party.

May 17, 2022
Cover Photo: On the left is the cover of Pyae Moe Thet War's book, "You've Changed," which illustrates a woman lying in a bowl of rice. On the right is Pyae Moe Thet War's headshot. She is wearing red lipstick and a dark blue shirt and smiling at the camera.
Pyae Moe Thet War Knows What Makes a Good Essay

In this interview, Tajja Isen talks to Pyae Moe Thet War about her new collection ‘You’ve Changed,’ finding her voice as a writer, and publishing a book on her own terms.

May 03, 2022
Cover Photo: In this header, we see representations of the logos for YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. They are all simplified and look very modern.
“You don’t have to do social media if you hate it”: A Q&A with Marketing Director Rachel Fershleiser

As part of our Social Media Week series, Rachel Fershleiser debunks the myths of marketing and social media and shares tips for how to build an authentic online presence.

Apr 28, 2022
Cover Photo: A photograph of Natalie Eve Garrett, a dark-haired woman in a white blouse, against a dark background on the right side. On the left is the bright green cover of the anthology THE LONELY STORIES against a pink background.
Natalie Eve Garrett Wants Us to Feel Loneliness Without Shame

In this interview, Tajja Isen talks with Natalie Eve Garrett about her new anthology ‘The Lonely Stories,’ the longing for solitude, and how books can build community.

Apr 12, 2022
Cover Photo: A photograph of a grey couch with a western blanket draped over the back. In the background is a ladder shelf and a poster of Freud's map of the unconscious. To the right of the frame is a large potted cactus.
Where Tajja Isen Writes

I like to think that writing where I live has allowed me to let more of life into my writing.

Oct 25, 2021
Cover Photo: A screencap from the 1989 film 'Say Anything,' in which the actor John Cusack, wearing a trench coat, lifts a boom box over his head.
“It’s downright wild out there”: A Q&A on Book Sales with Alyson Forbes

As part of our Money Week series, Alyson Forbes shares the ins and outs of book sales and explains how indie presses “care about your book the way John Cusack cares about Ione Skye in ‘Say Anything’.”

Sep 14, 2021