Joe Palmer

Susie L. McMahon's Virtual Book Club Interview
2025-06-10 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | FL
Susie will be interviewing me interviewing me in a virtual discussion about my debut novel, A Mariner’s Tale, for her nearly 800-member book club. After the interview, Susie will put it on YouTube.

Amelia Island History Museum
2023-09-12 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | FL
Please join me for an author and book talk at this historic site. It’ll be lots of fun.

Library Talk
2023-09-12 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | Yulee Public Library, 76346 William Burgess Blvd, Yulee, FL, 32097, United States
Please join me for an author talk at the Yulee Library. We’ll be talking about my novel, A Mariner’s Tale, the movie option on it, the writing process and a bit about the genre of Southern Fiction.

Black Friday at San Marco Bookstore in Jacksonville, FL
2022-11-25 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | San Marco Books and More, 1971 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32207, United States
I’ll be at San Marco Bookstore in Jacksonville on Black Friday, November 25 from 10 am – 12 pm signing copies of A Mariner’s Tale, which was recently optioned for a motion picture. If you’re in the area, stop in and see me and buy a copy. Books make great Christmas gift, too.

A Mariner's Tale at Pinecones & Pages Literary Festival!
2022-05-14 10:00 - 19:00 UTC | FL
Pinecones & Pages is a literary festival in Boone, North Carolina where the books come to life as the characters appear and interact with each author and audience.
It all takes place on Saturday, May 14th, 2022 and I’m thrilled to announce that A Mariner’s Tale will be included in an amazing lineup that includes Jeremy Jones, Robert Gwaltney and more!

National Independent Bookstore Day
2022-04-30 | FL
I’ll be celebrating the day at Main Street Reads, Summerville, SC with other authors this Saturday. Come see me if you’re in the area

Meet & Greet/Book Signing
2022-02-26 13:30 - 15:00 UTC | FL
After or before doing your shopping, stop by the coffee area at the front of the store for a meet and greet with the author, and buy a signed copy of his book, A Mariner’s Tale

A Mariner's Tale Book Signing at Georgia State College!
2021-11-18 11:00 - 13:00 (Pacific/Norfolk) | FL
Novelist and Waycross native Joe Palmer will visit South Georgia State College for a meet and greet and to sign copies of his debut book, A Mariner’s Tale, on Thursday, November 18, 2021, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., in Peterson Hall, Room 108 on the Douglas campus. While on campus, Palmer will also speak to students in Mrs. Elaine Stephens’ English classes.
A Mariner’s Tale was released from Koehler Books on October 25, 2020 (ISBN 9781646631452, 300 pgs). The novel tells that for ten years, the partially completed sailboat Jack Merkel started building with his wife and son sits gathering dust, until his lingering sorrow drives him to finish it alone. Enter a young hoodlum who breaks into the marina and seriously damages the boat for no apparent reason but misplaced rage. When the county sheriff arrives with the boy, the aging mariner sees a lost soul, and begs the sheriff and judge to release the boy into his custody to work off his punishment. Woven through the tranquility and bliss of sailing fair winds and gentle seas, A Mariner’s Tale is a story wrapped in the question that everyone, not just sailors, asks themselves: “There is where I yearn to be. How do I navigate my course to get there?”
Joe Palmer completed a book tour in 2020, with both live and virtual stops across the southeast, including at the Amelia Musical Playhouse in Joe’s hometown of Fernandina Beach, Florida. He also made a special guest appearance as a panelist at the Pat Conroy Literary Festival in Beaufort, SC.
A native of Waycross, Georgia and 30-year resident of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Palmer is an award-winning former newspaper reporter and longtime columnist whose folksy column, Cup of Joe, ran for ten years in the Fernandina Beach News-Leader with a large and enthusiastic following. He’s written investigative reporting and feature stories for the Bradenton Herald, Macon Telegraph and News and the Florida Times-Union. A Navy veteran and medical corpsman, he went on to work as a surgeon’s assistant at St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Jacksonville, Florida while attending college for his BA in English and Literature at the University of North Florida. He parlayed his newspaper investigative experience into a twenty-year career as an investigator for the Federal Public Defender’s Office, from which he retired in 2012. A Mariner’s Tale is his first novel. He’s currently writing his second novel. A sailor, he got the idea for his debut novel while working on an antique sailboat he and his wife painstakingly restored. He’s actively involved in local theatre, and will appear in a production of Scrooge at the Amelia Musical Playhouse in December. He lives in Fernandina Beach with his wife, Pam and a huge Great Dane named Harley. Visit https://joepalmerauthor.com/ for more information on the author.
Peterson Hall is located at 100 West College Park Drive in Douglas, Ga. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Elaine Stephens, South Georgia State College Associate Professor of English at elaine.stephens@sgsc.edu.

Waycross-Ware County Memorial Library Book Talk
2021-07-29 18:00 UTC | FL
I’ll be at the Waycross-Ware County Memorial Library, 401 Lee Avenue, Waycross, GA, Thursday, July 29 at 6 pm for a book talk, readings, book sales and signings. Mark this one on your calendars, Waycross residents and friends!https://okrls.org/

Book signing
2021-07-20 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Litchfield Books, 11421 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, South Carolina, 29585
Come to the bookstore and meet the author. Copies of his novel, A Mariner’s Tale, will be available for purchase and signing.

Moveable Feast Luncheon With Author Hosted By Litchfield Books, Pawleys Island SC
2021-07-20 11:00 - 13:00 UTC | FL
Experience Simple, Fresh Italian Food At Caffe Piccolo

In-Store Signing with Joe Palmer for A Mariner's Tale
2021-07-17 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | FL
Dear Charleston, SC area friends, Please join me on Saturday afternoon at Charleston’s best bookstore, Buxton Books!

Oyster Bay Yacht Club Luncheon
2021-07-01 11:30 - 13:00 UTC | Oyster Bay Yacht Club, 96732 Bay View Dr, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Author Joe Palmer will speak about southern literature and A Mariner’s Tale during this special lunheon at the Oyster Bay Yacht Club in Fernandina Beach, FL. Join the fun!

Elizabeth Pointe Lodge
2021-05-28 15:00 UTC | FL
I’ll be at Elizabeth Point Lodge on Friday, May 28 from 3 pm until talking about A Mariner’s Tale, meeting and greeting guests, doing readings and book sales and signings in celebration of the kickoff for Memorial Day Weekend.https://elizabethpointeameliaisland.com/

Joe Palmer to Be Featured on Second Line Show
2021-05-26 20:00 - 21:00 UTC | FL
Meet Joe Palmer and enjoy some great DOG STORIES when Nola Nash’s Second Line Show dedicates the entire show to stories of our canine friends! Wednesday, May 26 at 8 pm (they’re always on Wednesdays at 8 pm) and the topic is Dogs In Stories.
Join the show LIVE at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2380946371969311 or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmeOGgIywMlWpUpfdpS0vQw

Book Signing at Elizabeth Pointe Oceanfront!
2021-05-21 15:00 - 17:00 UTC | Elziabeth Point B&B, 98 S Fletcher Ave, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Joe Palmer will be on hand to sign A Mariner’s Tale at the beautiful Elizabeth Pointe Oceanfront Bed & Breakfast, in celebration of the annual Concours d’Elegance. Joe will be meeting guests at the lodge, doing readings and signings and selling books.

https://elizabethpointeameliaisland.com/

Booksigning at Nevermore Books in Beaufort, SC!
2021-05-08 11:00 - 13:00 (Pacific/Norfolk) | Nevermore Books, 910 Port Republic Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Join Joe as he spends some time chatting with readers and signing books at the beautiful ALL NEW Nevermore Books location on Port Republic Street in Beaufort, South Carolina on May 8th, the day before Mother’s Day!

A Library Book Talk: Fernandina Beach Branch Library
2021-05-06 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | FL
Joe will be in conversation with professor Chris Twiggs from Florida State College at the library in Fernandina Beach – don’t miss this engaging chat!

Joe Palmer at San Marco Books and More
2021-05-01 10:00 - 14:00 UTC | San Marco Books and More, 1971 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32207, United States

Read Between the Wines Bookclub
2021-04-24 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | FL
Joe Palmer will be doing an author discussion about A Mariner’s Tale with Jacksonville’s Read Between the Wines book club! Visit https://www.meetup.com/meetup-group-ryUkfGJS/events/277270732 to learn more or join the club.

Indie Bookstore Day at San Marco Books and More!
2021-04-24 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | San Marco Books and More, 1971 San Marco Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32207, United States
Joe will be helping San Marco Books and More in Jackssonville, Florida celebrate National Independent Bookstore Day!

Friday Booksigning at the Book Loft!
2021-03-12 13:00 - 15:00 (Pacific/Norfolk) | The Book Loft, 214 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Join Joe Palmer to grab a signed copy of his debut novel, A Mariner’s Tale on Friday, March 12, 2021 from 1-3 p.m. Contact the Book Loft to pre-order your copy!

Joe Palmer on Second Line to Discuss A Mariner's Tale
2021-03-10 20:00 - 21:00 UTC | FL
Join in the fun Wednesday March 10 at 8 pm EST when the topic is Irish Authors. It covers authors who are Irish, Irish American, stories about Ireland, etc. The most critical part of A Mariner’s Tale actually takes place there and Joe went over to do the research. He’s a proud member of the Rick O’Shea Bookclub and The Wild Geese and he’s traveled extensively in Ireland, with a penchant for Irish poetry.
Join the show LIVE at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2380946371969311 or on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmeOGgIywMlWpUpfdpS0vQw

The Book Loft: Signing and Select Readings
2020-12-05 12:00 - 16:00 UTC | The Book Loft, 214 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Join the author again for another afternoon of signings and selected readings from his debut novel, A Mariner’s Tale. Give the gift of a book to your loved one or friend this Holiday Season! Make it A Mariner’s Tale!

Booksigning: The Book Loft
2020-11-21 13:00 - 16:00 UTC | The Book Loft, 214 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach, FL, 32034, United States
Join Joe Palmer for a chat and signing of his debut novel, A Mariner’s Tale on Saturday November 21, 2020 from 1-4 p.m. Contact the Book Loft to pre-order your copy!

Joe Palmer Makes the Rounds in SC - Main Street Reads, Summerville
2020-11-08 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | FL
Following the event at Nevermore Books in Beaufort and Joe’s appearance at the Pat Conroy Literary Festival, Joe will wind his way up to Summerville for a Sunday signing at Main Street Reads in Summerville!

Pat Conroy Literary Festival
2020-11-07 15:00 - 16:00 UTC | FL
Join the Pat Conroy Literary Festival for a local(ish) author panel discussion featuring four authors of recently published new small press books: Rebecca Dwight Bruff, author of the historical novel Trouble the Water (moderator); Donna Keel Armer, author of the travel memoir Solo in Salento; Susan Diamond Riley, author of the YA novel The Sea Turtle’s Curse; and, from farther off, special guest Joe Palmer, author of the debut novel A Mariner’s Tale. This Pat Conroy Literary Festival program will be live-streamed from the ETV Lowcountry Studio in Beaufort, SC, accessible on Zoom or the festival’s Facebook page.
Register for Zoom at https://bit.ly/33w8IOk
The Pat Conroy Literary Festival is presented in partnership with ETV Lowcountry and made possible by the generous support of the Estate of Robert S. Handler.
About our presenters
Donna Keel Armer has traveled extensively in North America, Europe, and Africa. But it was on her first trip to Italy that she fell in love with a country and its people. It became her heart place and she made it her mission to return as often as possible. Solo in Salento: A Memoir tells the story of her sojourn in Otranto, Italy. Donna has published numerous articles and photographs on travel, food, human interest, and home and garden in South Carolina magazines. She also teamed up with the Sons of Italy in Columbia, SC, to produce Bella Cucina Italiana, a cookbook featuring her photography. She and her husband Ray live in beautiful Beaufort, SC where she loves volunteering at the Pat Conroy Literary Center and Hunting Island State Park. Learn more at https://donnaarmer.com.
Joe Palmer is an award-winning former newspaper reporter and longtime columnist, whose folksy column, Cup of Joe, ran for ten years in the Fernandina Beach News-Leader with a large and enthusiastic following. He’s written investigative reporting and feature stories for the Bradenton Herald, Macon Telegraph and News and the Florida Times-Union. A Navy veteran and medical corpsman, he went on to work as a surgeon’s assistant at St. Vincent’s Medical in Jacksonville, while attending college for this BA from the University of North Florida. He parlayed his investigative experience into a twenty-year career as an investigator for the Federal Public Defender’s Office. A sailor, he got the idea for his debut novel while working on an antique sailboat that he and his wife painstakingly restored. A Mariner’s Tale is his first novel. Learn more at www.joepalmerauthor.com.
Author of the Delta and Jax mysteries, The Sea Island’s Secret and The Sea Turtle’s Curse, Susan Diamond Riley is an award-winning author and editor. She has worked in the fields of publishing, journalism, and education for more than 30 years, and has taught and tutored writing at the middle-school, high-school, and college levels. She holds a master of arts degree in children’s literature, and she is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, the South Carolina Writers Association, and the Island Writers Network. Learn more at www.susandiamondriley.com
About our moderator
Rebecca Dwight Bruff heard the story of Robert Smalls on her first visit to South Carolina. She was so captivated that she left her job and moved across the country to research and write this novel. Bruff earned her bachelor’s degree in education at Texas A&M and a master’s and doctorate in theology at Southern Methodist University. In 2017, she was a scholarship recipient for the prestigious Key West Literary Seminar. She volunteers at the Pat Conroy Literary Center in Beaufort, South Carolina. She’s published non-fiction, plays a little tennis, travels when she can, and loves life in the lowcountry with her husband and an exuberant golden retriever. Learn more at https://rebeccabruff.com.
Photos as well as short bios of all festival presenters are on the Presenter Page.
Click here…

Booksigning at Nevermore Books in Beaufort, SC
2020-11-07 12:00 - 14:00 UTC | Nevermore Books, 910 Port Republic Street, Beaufort, SC, 29902, United States
Join Joe as he spends some time chatting with readers and signing books at the beautiful “Raven on Craven” Nevermore Books in Beaufort, South Carolina on November 7th during the Pat Conroy Literary Festival!

Story and Song with AMP Theatre: Live Reading and Launch Party
2020-10-25 14:00 - 16:00 UTC | Amelia Musical Playhouse, 1955 Island Walkway, Fernandina Beach, State, 32034, United States
Join Joe Palmer and professional actors in a reading and launch party celebration of A Mariner’s Tale!
In partnership with Story & Song Bookstore Bistro, Amelia Musical Playhouse will host the official launch of local author and AMP cast member Joe Palmer’s debut novel, A MARINER’S TALE. The event will feature reading of select passages of dialogue by the main characters in the novel by AMP cast members.
Chad Miller, as Jack Merkel, a quiet and lonely old sailor who owns a boatyard and marina, Joseph Woodlief, as Doug Eleazer, a troubled youth whose petty crime against Merkel sets the stage for the story, John Drew, as Judge J. Harlan Kicklighter, who holds young Doug’s life in his hands, Eliza Alys Young, as Margie Waller, an attractive, wealthy and fiercely independent yacht owner, Carlos Chavez-Tafur, as Sheriff Hal Patterson, who has a heart of gold behind his gold badge and Ginger Lindberg as Emma O’Toole, an elderly Irish woman with a story of her own to tell. Joe will provide the narration.
After the readings, those attending the event are encouraged to ask Joe and the cast questions about the novel and to make comments, as well. Following that will be book sales by Story & Song at the event, and signings by the author. Anyone wishing to attend should bring lounge chairs or other comfortable seating and any refreshments desired. In keeping with Covid-19 public health guidelines, we ask that you commit to appropriate social distancing during the event and please, wear a mask when interacting in person with Joe or the cast members.
This event is free and open to the public but Joe requests that those who attend make donations to AMP in the amount of whatever you feel comfortable with at the event.
If you are unable to attend but would like a copy of the book, it can be purchased at Story & Song or online.
