Picture a Brooklyn-based therapist who traded her couch for a typewriter to craft pulse-pounding thrillers—meet Julia Bartz! With her debut novel, The Writing Retreat, Bartz stormed the literary scene, blending psychological suspense with feminist fire. Her knack for twisting ambition, friendship, and fear into unputdownable stories has readers hooked and critics buzzing.
Bartz’s journey from aspiring writer to New York Times bestseller is a tale of grit and creativity. Overcoming rejections and self-doubt, she channeled her frustrations into stories that grip you like a late-night page-turner. Let’s dive into the world of this thrilling new voice in psychological suspense!
The Making of Julia Bartz
Julia Bartz grew up in a Christian environment that shaped her early views, though she later unpacked the constraints of being told to stay silent. A graduate of Hunter College, she carved a dual path as a licensed therapist and writer in Brooklyn. Her work as a therapist, rooted in feminist and sex-positive principles, informs her nuanced characters, who grapple with trauma and desire. Before novels, Bartz’s fiction appeared in outlets like The South Dakota Review and InDigest Magazine, hinting at her storytelling prowess.
Inspiration struck from personal struggles and her grandmother, Marianne Denes, a Holocaust survivor whose memoir about living under Hungarian Communist rule emphasized the power of voice. This legacy of resilience fueled Bartz’s determination to write, even after shelving two unpublished novels. Her breakthrough came when she poured her fears and ambitions into The Writing Retreat.
Julia Bartz’s Unforgettable Stories
Bartz’s debut, The Writing Retreat (2023), is a claustrophobic thriller that hit the New York Times bestseller list. It follows Alex, a struggling writer invited to a month-long retreat at the eerie estate of feminist horror icon Roza Vallo. Tasked with writing a novel in 28 days for a million-dollar publishing deal, Alex faces sinister secrets, a toxic ex-friend, and a vanishing writer. Critics praised its “gleefully twisted plot” and gothic vibes, comparing it to Ruth Ware and Sara Gran.
Her second novel, The Last Session (2025), dives deeper into psychological suspense. Social worker Thea encounters a catatonic patient tied to her past, leading her to a mysterious New Mexico retreat. Bartz weaves trauma, manipulation, and unsettling twists, earning nods for its atmospheric tension. Her style—marked by complex female characters, slow-burn dread, and feminist undertones—explores “shadow parts” like anger and sexuality, which she says women are often shamed for expressing.
Bartz’s narratives thrive on morally ambiguous characters and high-stakes settings, from haunted mansions to cult-like retreats. Her therapist’s lens adds authenticity, making her protagonists’ emotional struggles resonate. Fans of locked-room mysteries and psychological depth find her work addictive, with each book cementing her as a bold voice in contemporary thrillers.
Why Julia Bartz Matters
Julia Bartz is redefining psychological thrillers by centering women’s rage, ambition, and resilience. Her stories resonate with readers who crave suspense with substance, tackling themes like toxic friendships, creative pressure, and reclaiming power. As a therapist, she brings rare insight into human behavior, making her characters feel like people you know—or fear you might meet. Her rise from rejections to bestseller status inspires aspiring writers, proving persistence pays off.
Bartz’s impact extends beyond books. Through creative coaching, she helps others unlock their artistic potential, blending her therapeutic expertise with a passion for storytelling. Her feminist, shame-free approach challenges genre norms, paving the way for more diverse voices in suspense. With only two novels, she’s already a name to watch, leaving fans eager for her next twist.
- Key Works: The Writing Retreat (2023), The Last Session (2025)
- Notable Recognition: New York Times bestseller, LibraryReads Top Pick (Feb 2023)
- Fun Fact: Bartz overcame intense public speaking fear with help from a voice coach!
Snag The Writing Retreat and dive into Julia Bartz’s thrilling world of suspense—you won’t sleep until the last page!