Spike Walker, author of a number of popular real-life thrillers, will be the featured author at WordFest on Tuesday, May 3. Spike will be discussing and reading from his most recent book, On the Edge of Survival: A shipwreck, a raging storm, and the harrowing Alaskan rescue that became a legend.

The story recounts the dramatic Coast Guard rescue of crew from the 738-foot freighter, Selendang Ayu, in December 2004. The ship lost its engines in the midst of a storm and began drifting toward the treacherous coast of the Aleutian Islands.

Spike is the author of Nights of Ice, Coming Back Alive, and Working on the Edge. His books inspired the hit television show, “The Deadliest Catch.”

Copies of his books, provided by Paperbacks Galore, will be available for purchase and autographing.

During the second hour, Bernadette Crepeau will be reading from book two of her Brooklyn Leprechaun Mystery series, entitled Royal Spirits, and will be discussing how writing a screenplay helps one become a better novelist.

Kelley Jacquez will be reading “A Believable Story,” about a daughter’s efforts to protect her mother, who is a compulsive liar, from exposure —until the lie goes too far. The story is from a collection of Kelley’s short stories, Holding Woman and Other Stories of Acceptable Madness, which has been accepted for publication by Bilingual Press, University of Arizona, Tucson.

WordFest is a gathering of readers and writers who meet on the first Tuesday of each month at The Brits, at 1427 Commerce Avenue in Longview, 6:00-8:00 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

Doors open at 5:30, and The Brits offers a select menu for those who wish a meal with the readings.