Elise Krentzel is an author, ghostwriter, and editor whose work is rooted in memoir, cultural journalism, and literary nonfiction.
Her career began in Tokyo, where she founded a talent and booking agency and worked as a DJ and music journalist. She later served as Tokyo Bureau Chief for Billboard Magazine, introducing Western audiences to pioneering Japanese innovations including the Sony Walkman and the Laserdisc.
After decades working across global media and creative industries in five countries, she returned to the work that matters most: writing that demands precision, structural integrity, and emotional honesty.
She now works with authors on memoir and nonfiction—projects that require a firm editorial hand and a commitment to clarity over comfort. Her current project, Hydra: The Human Atlas, combines reportage, personal narrative, and documented voices to create a cultural portrait of an island in transition.
Based in Austin, Texas when not working abroad. She is the mother of one son.
I have thought about what it would take to write a book for as long as I can remember. Elise proved to be thoughtful, knowledgeable, and professional. She offered guidance throughout the discovery process. I appreciate how she challenged me and never gave up on me – even when I began doubting my ability to put my thoughts on paper. I highly recommend her services to anyone who has “always wanted to write.” She will help you determine if the story is within you and how best to bring it to the surface.
