National Bestselling Author William Elliott Hazelgrove to Release 'The Camp Mystic Flood' Chronicling 2025 Texas Tragedy

National bestselling author William Elliott Hazelgrove has announced his upcoming narrative nonfiction book, The Camp Mystic Flood: A Story of Tragedy and Heroism, to be published in hardcover by Bloomsbury on July 8, 2027. The book marks the second anniversary of the devastating July 4, 2025, flood that swept through Camp Mystic on the Guadalupe River in Texas, one of the deadliest camp disasters in American history, claiming the lives of 27 girls.

Hazelgrove, known for deeply researched narrative histories, has spent months conducting interviews with survivors, families, first responders, meteorologists, and local residents, along with on-site reporting in Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country. The book reconstructs the flood minute by minute, following campers, counselors, parents, rescuers, camp owners, and first responders as they confronted the catastrophe. Drawing inspiration from Sebastian Junger's The Perfect Storm, Hazelgrove aims to present a balanced account.

“The Camp Mystic Flood is not an indictment, nor is it a defense,” said Hazelgrove. “My goal is to tell the whole story—how this tragedy unfolded, who the people were who experienced it, and the extraordinary acts of courage, sacrifice, faith, and heroism that emerged from one of the worst natural disasters in Texas history.”

The book examines the catastrophic flood, the history of Camp Mystic, the Guadalupe River's flood history, rescue efforts, and lingering questions of responsibility. While litigation and public debate continue, Hazelgrove emphasizes that the book follows facts without a predetermined conclusion. “As a historian and narrative nonfiction writer, my responsibility is to follow the facts wherever they lead, to listen to all sides, and to tell this story with fairness, compassion, and historical rigor,” he said.

At its heart, the book focuses on the human experience: families who entrusted their children to the camp, counselors who fought to save them, rescuers who risked their lives, and the legacy of the 27 girls lost. Hazelgrove’s previous works have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, and Booklist, and have been featured by NPR, C-SPAN, and national newspapers. The Camp Mystic Flood promises to be a significant addition to Texas historical literature, offering insights for readers interested in disaster response, community resilience, and the ongoing impact on the Texas Hill Country.