Joe Coomer

Joe Coomer is a fiction and nonfiction author known for his evocative storytelling and keen observations of everyday life. He gained recognition for his memoir "Dream House" (1991), which chronicles his experience building a Victorian home in Texas, and "Sailing in a Spoonful of Water" (1997), a humorous account of restoring and navigating his motor sailer, "Yonder". His works often blend personal narrative with broader reflections on place, craftsmanship, and adventure.

Coomer divides his time between Springtown, Texas, and Stonington, Maine, drawing inspiration from both locales. In Texas, he operates antique malls, while his summers in Maine immerse him in the rhythms of a coastal fishing village. His writing reflects a deep appreciation for regional character and the quirks of human endeavor, whether in homebuilding, sailing, or the antiques trade. Coomer's prose is marked by wit, warmth, and an eye for detail, qualities that have endeared him to readers across genres.
Standalone Novels
# Title Year
1 The Decatur Road 1983
2 Kentucky Love 1985
3 A Flatland Fable 1986
4 The Loop 1992
5 Beachcombing for a Shipwrecked God 1995
6 Apologizing to Dogs 1999
7 One Vacant Chair 2003
8 Pocketful of Names 2005
Poetry Collections
# Title Year
1 Other Lives 2017
Non-Fiction Books
# Title Year
1 Dream House: On Building a House 1992
2 Sailing in a Spoonful of Water 1997