Bestselling author and historian William Hazelgrove has signed a publishing agreement with Bloomsbury Publishing for a major nonfiction work chronicling the devastating Camp Mystic flood, one of the most shocking and little-understood natural disasters in American history.
The forthcoming book will tell the dramatic true story of the catastrophic flood that struck the beloved Camp Mystic in Texas, sweeping through a summer retreat and forever altering the lives of campers, families, and the surrounding Hill Country community. Drawing from survivor accounts, archival research, government records, and new reporting, Hazelgrove will explore the human toll, the extraordinary acts of courage, the role of nature's fury, and how the disaster continues to echo through time.
"The Camp Mystic flood was a once-in-a-century event that unfolded in moments yet left generations changed," Hazelgrove said. "This book will bring to light the voices, the heroism, the heartbreak, and the lessons history nearly forgot."
Hazelgrove is the author of more than twenty books, including acclaimed works of narrative nonfiction such as Evil on the Roof of the World, Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America, and Madam President: The Secret Presidency of Edith Wilson. His work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, CBS, PBS, and other major media outlets. The Camp Mystic book is scheduled for publication by Bloomsbury in 2027.
The book deal sheds light on a disaster that has received limited national attention despite its profound impact. The flood at Camp Mystic, located in the Texas Hill Country, occurred during a summer session, claiming lives and displacing many. Hazelgrove's research aims to preserve the stories of survivors and honor the memory of those lost, while also examining the broader implications for disaster preparedness and climate resilience.
This announcement is significant because it brings a major publisher's backing to an event that has largely faded from public memory. By delving into the disaster's historical and human dimensions, Hazelgrove's work may prompt renewed discussion about infrastructure, emergency response, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events. The book is expected to appeal to readers interested in American history, natural disasters, and narrative nonfiction.
Hazelgrove's previous works have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and Booklist, and have been selections of the History Book Club and Junior Library Guild. His forthcoming titles include Dead Air: The Night Orson Welles Terrified America and Hemingway's Attic: Hell and Glory in Cuba and the Writing of The Old Man and the Sea. More information about the author can be found at www.williamhazelgrove.com.
