How to Survive a Serial Killer at Summer Camp

by Eric Woods

In 1996, a killer struck at Camp Gentle Bear forcing the camp to shut down. Dubbed “Murder Bear” by the locals, the killer was never caught. Fast forward to the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 as 80s slasher junkie and struggling author Mike Wentworth hopes to tackle a new book while the world is shut down. When Mike discovers a true crime documentary on Camp Gentle Bear, a brilliant idea surfaces–write the quintessential playbook on how to survive if an actual serial killer crashes a summer camp.

Now, thirty years after the murders, Camp Gentle Bear announces a surprise reopening, and Mike Wentworth, best-selling author of How to Survive a Serial Killer at Summer Camp, is invited to speak. A few concerns linger, though. Murder Bear was never apprehended. A motive was never established. Townsfolk aren’t fond of Mike Wentworth. And people at the camp are disappearing.

Is a thirty-year hibernation of death coming to an end? Has Murder Bear returned? And does Camp Gentle Bear’s only hope ride on the author who wrote the quintessential manual on how to survive if a serial killer strikes at summer camp?

275 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2026

About the author

Eric Woods reluctantly resides in Springfield, Illinois and has been writing since grade school. He has published seven novels, two novellas, one book of stage plays, and several short stories.

He mostly writes scary stories, although his debut novel (Pummeled) and it’s 2021 sequel (Pummeled: Submission) are more action/drama. His middle three novels Dragon’s Blood (2019), Welcome to Oblivion (2020), and Clippings (2021) are all in the horror genre. In 2022 he published the novella, “The Man on the Roof at Midnight,” and in 2023, he published This Is How He Collects Them.His most recent work includes the first two books in the STOKEBRIDGE trilogy (2024), and HELL'S DINER: 13 Devilish Delectables in June 2025 along with debut author Kerri Jane.

Eric has been a local freelance writer since 2005, writing for such outlets as Springfield Business Journal Illinois and SO Magazine. He served as a tour guide for the Lincoln Ghost Walk in Springfield and was a collegiate speech and debate coach for seven years. He earned a Bachelor's Degree in English and a Master's Degree in Communication from the University of Illinois Springfield.

Reviews

[C.D. Steele]

Being a creature of the 80’s I grew up during the slasher boom. That being said, I’ve always tried to find that same feeling in book format to enjoy as horror films as of late haven’t been quite the same. How to Survive a Serial Killer at Summer Camp checks all those boxes and then some. A story about a story that will leave you hooked. The author even hits us with a classic slasher backstory that only heightens the tale that follows. Plus the way he did it, it will actually keep you guessing for a little while with just enough twists and turns to pull you along. The Rules of Survival which you’ll find in the book is something I could see printed on a poster or shirt for sure. If you’re a fan of Slashers give this a go for sure. The added bonus of the story within the story was a very cool touch as well. I’ll be adding this to my physical collection for sure when it launches.

[Nick Aucoin]

What happens when a summer camp that was formerly the site of an unsolved mass murder reopens again? You get a slasher story that's a fun read from start to finish.

The book introduces readers to a variety of characters (whose names often reference horror icons) that make up the cast; ranging from new blood to those who had been around when the first murders happened. Eric Woods additionally has a section at the beginning of the book that lists out all of the characters with brief descriptions, which I personally found helpful. The chapters are written in a way that makes the characters feel familiar and the scenes easy to visualize. I won't say more about the plot because... Well, you should be reading it. 😉