Melrose Author Hopes Women Will Bounce Back After Reading Her Book

MELROSE, MA — A resident is hoping to connect with and inspire readers dealing with a certain challenge through her new book.

Ellen Holtzman is the first-time author of “Bouncing Back: How Women Lose and Find Themselves in Marriage and Divorce,” which features the story of three women handling their marriages coming to an end.

“I spent ten years writing and publishing personal essays. Three of them were about my experience as a psychotherapist. I write about my profession because I enjoy my work and find it deeply meaningful,” Holtzman told Patch. “Writing gives me an opportunity to explore the joys and frustrations of being a psychotherapist. In addition, my client’s stories provide a rich source of material for my writing."

Holtzman has more than 35 years of experience as a psychotherapist, and said she enjoyed listening to people share their experiences and make a positive impact on their lives.

“It turned out to be a great choice for me,” Holtzman told Patch. “I feel lucky to have had such a long-lasting and satisfying career.”

Holtzman has lived in Melrose for 28 years, and is still currently working with other residents professionally.

“The fact that I’m familiar with my client’s grocery stores, gyms, and restaurants gives me another way to connect with them,” Holtzman said. “Success in therapy is all about human connection.”

Holtzman has also seen patients in the neighboring communities of Wakefield and Peabody.

According to Holtzman, “Bouncing Back” has received overwhelmingly positive reviews on Amazon and has also been Global Book Awards Gold Prize Winner in Self-help/Motivational Books as well as a Finalist in Adult Non-Fiction in the Wishing Shelf Awards. However, the local feedback may be the most important.

“I am in a book group with Melrose women, and one woman bought ten copies of the book to give to various friends and family members,” Holtzman told Patch.

What may attract readers to Holtzman's work most is knowing that not only did she help others deal with divorce throughout the years through her work, but it is something she endured herself as well.

Books were a lifeline when I went through my divorce, and I wanted Bouncing Back to help readers as books had helped me,” Holtzman said. “The praise I received showed that I achieved my goal.”

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