Jul 3 2006
Authors Behaving Badly Episode #1: Dara Joy
What have you learned from this?
Never pre-pay for a self published book that has not been printed yet or is not immediately available via ebook. Basically the author is asking you to support him/her while they are writing the book. And if you have pre-paid, when the deadline for shipping passes, start asking or demanding a refund. Right away. The best thing to do is simply wait until they have the book ready for sale before paying. Just because you self publish does not mean that you have to get the money ahead of time. There are so many self publishing companies online which will do it for you at a very reasonable price. This problem we have had with Dara Joy did not have to happen if they had used better business sense or had been ethical and honest.
What would you tell authors to learn from this?
First, meet your obligations on your contracts, even if you suspect the publisher is not meeting theirs. If you have done so, the case when it gets in litigation will be all about them and not be muddied by your actions.
Second, never try to simply ignore your contract and break it by going to another publisher. What Ms. Joy did with "Ritual of Proof" was, to me, very unethical. Also, she basically blackballed her career by doing so. As far a any publisher thinks, she is untouchable right now.
Third and finally, if you are thinking about self publishing, only do so if you have a good fan base already. I doubt seriously if you will make much of a profit without one. Ms. Joy actually had a almost blockbuster situation, but really has screwed this up with her actions. Have your book written, edited and ready to for sale before you start advertising it. Also, I came across a website on the net that is almost perfect for self publishing situations. Check out www.lulu.com.
How can other fans in need get help?
This page gives you the exact method that I and many other fans used to get their books. I can’t guarentee that they will ever get the book or a refund, but we will be making a lot of noise in the process and hopefully at the very least will stop this from happening ever again with this author.
Ms. Joy’s and her staff’s handling of this situation was simply atrocious. IMHO, an author couldn’t have behaved any worse than this one has with her fans. By simple passiveness, she has shown a complete lack of respect.
Update as of Wednesday, June 28:
5 people have received the book in the last few days.
Related posts:
Jul 03, 2006 @ 05:36:48
Oh you beat me to it, after finding out about the fight with Dorchester from Bam, I did some research and found about some of the stuff that’s been happening. Very interesting indeed…
Jul 03, 2006 @ 05:48:14
lol, what’s funny is that I was thinking last week about doing a big blog post about Dara Joy because she has my money and emails? They go completely ignored and unanswered. I don’t believe anything she says at this point. Li-ar.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 06:48:28
I bought the first book and agree with what Elizabeth says about it. The novellas were OK but no where near what she’s written in the past. And then came the fan letters. Yep, she published fan mail sent to her and had us pay to read it. Pretty damn cheeky if you ask me. Anyhow, after being less than satisfied with book one (I should have sold the damn thing on ebay!), there was no way I was paying for another of these self published vanity books of hers. Dara is dead in the water as far as I’m concerned.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 07:17:02
My local bookstore took advance orders for the first book and they were shocked that I wouldn’t order it, as I was a huge Dara Joy fan. Apparently, not as huge as even I thought.
These were my thoughts right from the beginning of this mess, I took some grief for this…”How can you not support her, they’re stealing from her? Why should she met her obligiations when they haven’t met theirs?” The whole situation seemed beyond strange and I decided to wait it out. I’m glad I did, for a while I followed some of this, but lost interest.
I feel for the devoted fans who have fallen prey to their faith in a favorite author.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 09:01:26
I had contacted Elizabeth last week and followed her advice. (Thanks Elizabeth). I immediately received an email from Cory with a tracking number of my shipment so it appears my book is on its way. I doubt I will be reading it anytime soon because it just gulls me the way this was handled.
The email I received included a shipping number, but stated that he “reshipped ” my book. That insinuates that he had already sent my book and this is an additional copy. After all the fuss that is being made and almost stealing our money, the continuation of lies is just beyond me. They still have a link up for those unsuspecting fans who may even now be purchasing books.
Has anyone seen or heard from Joy personally? Maybe Cory has killed her, stuffed her in a closet and is trying to live off of her name. Just a thought ….
Jul 03, 2006 @ 09:07:07
I don’t think I’m that kind of a devoted fan to follow an author who self-publishes because first of all you are looking at a long wait or never seeing the book. I tried reading a Dara Joy book and her popularity eludes me. Meanwhile, I hope everything works out for the best. Thanks Jane for bringing us up to speed.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 11:39:38
How very sad.
Talk about committing suicide…
Jul 03, 2006 @ 13:23:17
Rejar, in all its campy glory, remains a guilty pleasure for me. I bought, received, and read (or more correctly, tried to read) That Familiar Touch, but it frankly made me feel embarrassed for Joy (and it gave me second thoughts as to her consciousness of the camp factor in the whole Rejar series). Weird things can happen to people when they get dug in on long-term lawsuits, especially when they are *certain* they have the morally superior position and can’t understand why everyone doesn’t see it.
Seeing as I’m too lazy to scour Westlaw or the Internet, what *exactly* did happen between Dorchestser and Joy/Lanier?
Jul 03, 2006 @ 15:43:48
There is nothing reported yet, Robin. I pulled up the docket sheet on Pacer and checked into getting a copy of the motion for summary judgment and the resistance but it was cost prohibitive. So unless some kind soul in NY wants to schlep over to the federal courthouse or if Dorchester wants to email me the documents, I can only guess at the controversy.
Essentially, Dorchester sued Dara Joy for the publication of Ritual of Proof through William Morrow. Dara Joy asserted that a) ROP was not a romance and b) even if it was, Dorchester had breached its contract by failing to pay her the correct royalties and therefore she is not required to fulfill her contract.
My rudimentary knowledge of contract law says that if a contract is performable, just because one party is in breach doesn’t render the contract void or even voidable. Of course, there is always the argument of anticipatory breach (Dara Joy would argue that it was fruitless to fulfill her contract when Dorchester would continue to withhold royalties).
I think Mrs. Giggles was right when she said that she should have given over the two self published books to Dorchester and called it a day. It couldn’t have hurt her career more than what the self publishing course has done.
It also appears that she was done in by some poor lawyering. She had one attorney whom she fired (or he withdrew). She then went on to represent herself pro se to her demise. At a late hour she hired this Halpern to represent her but only after several deadlines and extensions had been missed.
I would guess the motion for summJ would not be granted. The court indicated as much in its docket sheet entry (of course this all prefiling guessing). I wonder whether Ms. Joy will have the evidence she needs at trial as it sounds like she wasn’t able to complete sufficient discovery. Alas, that is a question for another day.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 15:45:21
Holy crap, talk about some mad ass drama! I’m glad that I’m not a fan of hers, I haven’t read anything by her and really doubt I’ll read anything by her now..thanks for posting this…very informative, I feel bad for the fans that didn’t receive their books or an answer from anyone..suicide indeed.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 16:44:17
Hi,
One of you asked what the lawsuit was about.
In summary, Joy had signed a new contract in 1996 with Dorchester for 3 books to be produced in 1997 and 1998. She did not produce them. They extended the deadline to 1999, then 2000, then 2001. She still did not produce the 3 books. During that time she wrote a book and sold it to William&Morrow (and got a big advance) and told Dorchester that it was a scifi. Of course when Ritual of Proof was published and Dorchester realized that it was essentially the same type of book she had been writing with them, they began litigation to recover their advances and sue for the profits made on that book, and the breach of contract.
Joy claims that she breached her contract because they did not pay her or account for her royalities correctly on previous contracts. Unfortunately, that was kinda after what she did. And it is my understanding that she only suspected and did not have any actual proof. Hence, my opinion that without that hard proof, she should have fulfilled her contract, then went after them for the royalties. She really screwed herself by her own actions.
In the initial motions, Joy did win against several injunctions that Dorchester tried to have imposed. They had tried to have an injunction imposed on Joy on any further published work until the lawsuit was settled and barr her from using/referring to any of the characters on her website or future works. The courts decided that the contract they (Dorchester)had with Joy only covered FULL LENGTH novels and therefore did not cover novellas (under a certain word count), . They also made the rendering that Dorchester did not own the rights to the characters and “the matrix of destiny” storyline. This freed Ms. Joy and allowed her to write anthologies or novella length books. However, because of the lawsuit, no publisher would touch her until that is settled. And that led to her decision to self publish. During this time all royalties from both publishing companies are on hold due to the litigation.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 16:50:07
Talk about shooting yourself in your own foot. Truly astounding, but perhaps not surprising.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 18:46:15
Wow, this is fascinating! I read Ritual of Proof after seeing the cover snarked somewhere. It’s definitely more romance than SciFi. Afterwards, when I went to her website, I read of her lawsuit, but couldn’t find any more details. I did read the excerpt for the “Wildcat Arrows” book, and I didn’t think it sounded very good. And I’m sorry, but that cover cracks me up! That is Cory, isn’t it? (Unless they changed it since November. I ain’t going back to check). Anyhow, I am absolutely amazed that after seriously threatening (if not completely ruining) her career with most publishers, she’d alienate the most loyal fans, the ones who didn’t just forget about her. Way to go! I don’t think I’ll be reading any of her books.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 19:05:51
OK, here it is in all its hideous glory. Note the forehead pendant that’s been added. Ghastly, isn’t it?
“A bad boy galactic gumshoe or charming space pirate? You decide.”
To me, he looks like a man who robs gas stations for a living.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 19:22:16
Elizabeth – thanks for the information on the lawsuit. I didn’t see any injunctions on the docket sheet. I wonder if there was another lawsuit.
I don’t know who is right or wrong in the lawsuit but by not fulfilling her obligations to readers, it makes it appear that Dara Joy was in the wrong.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 19:35:52
I went to Dara Joy’s website and the cover is still there. And still butt ugly. I’ve tried to post links to it twice but the blog gremlins are acting up tonight and neither of my posts has shown up. :(
Jul 03, 2006 @ 20:03:09
Hi Jane,
I think these were more pre trial motions that were dismissed.
I remember reading about them in one of Joy’s letters about
it on her website. It is my understanding that they do have
an injunction on her publishing a full length novel until this is
over with.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 20:42:54
I did receive my book today. The photo of the cover does not do it justice. It is even creeper in person. In addition to the greasy hair and headband, the eyes seem to have also been retouched and stand out in the live cover. Really wacked looking.
Jul 03, 2006 @ 21:58:12
Woooooow.
I’d heard only a little bit of the whole thing with Dara Joy and Dorchester, but I didn’t realise she’d gone on to effectively scam her readers. Jeeez. *shakes head*
Jul 03, 2006 @ 22:48:22
I, foruntately?, received my book finally after emailing Cory off and on for about 2 months. I did receive the form letter back on the death in the family and that he would check into my shipment, then received the notice that he “reshipped” my book. I was so happy to finally receive something that I paid for in Feb 2005. I completely forgot that I paid for priority shipping and that is not how it was received, no tracking number, and the notice from Cory on the “reshipment” didn’t give one either. It had just been so long that I didn’t remember it was supposed to come priority. After reading all this, it really sheds new light on my feelings for this author. I wanted to continue to support her but knowing all this other information really makes me think. I doubt I will purchase another of her self-published works. And Wildcat Arrows WAS horrible. It wasn’t even really about him…………..
FYI I received notice from Cory on 6/21/06 that he reshipped my book and I did receive it on 6/26/06.
Jul 04, 2006 @ 01:27:16
I am so sorry this is happening to Dara Joy…I am among the bunch of loyal readers disappointed on her behavior. I am sorry for her…she made a mistake and her approach to correcting it leaves her vulnerable to all kinds of criticism which, by the way, it is legitimate. I really liked her, but the stress of her circumstances is started to show in the quality of the work she has published. I did not like her last novel, the one she self published before this book she owes me. We do not know how desperate is her situation…but it does not look good when she does things such as taking money for a novel that is not in the same quality of reading her fans are expecting…deep down she knows that.
Jul 04, 2006 @ 13:52:16
Wow; thanks for the details, Jane and Elizabeth. From what I read on Joy’s website (curiosity got the best of me, AGAIN) and a Dorchester messageboard, Dorchester seems to have a relatively straightforward case against Joy for breach of K, but Joy’s claims seem to be more tort-ish (I’m surprised she hasn’t cross-complained if she’s actually got anything solid in that regard). To my completely untutored eyes, this looks like a case where an author perhaps didn’t understand the full extent of her legal obligations vis a vis her contract, thinking her defense was sufficient to hold Dorchester off (K law doesn’t really work like that, though), perhaps even thinking that she claimed a moral high ground that would be so much more powerful than any breach of K claim Dorchester might bring. I would LOVE to see the pleadings in this case; I agree, Jane, that anticipatory breach might be the tack her side is taking in this, but still . . . Heaven help any defendant who appears against a corporate entity pro se, though! My question, though, is how will damages be assessed in this case, assuming Dorchester can win on its claim (notwithstanding whatever Joy can show on her side)? Would the contract be deemed performable? Would it even be in Dorchester’s interest to publish another Joy novel, could she even write for them again, and has anything she’s self-published in the interim made any profit? What a mess. The only publishing suit I’m familiar with is the one between Berkley and the Naval Institute over the paperback rights to Tom Clancy’s Hunt for Red October. Paperbacks of the book were released earlier than the contracted time, overlapping and cutting into hardback sales (the Naval Institute published the book in hardback and sold the paper rights to Berkley — after Clancy had been rejected by some insane number of publishers, of course). The Naval Institute won on breach of K, but it was ultimately an efficient breach for Berkley because there was no way of assessing how much $$ Naval lost, and even the damages they ended up paying didn’t eclipse their extra profits.
Angelle's Blog: Calliope's Faithful Servant
Jul 05, 2006 @ 04:17:35
Dara Joy…O Why Why?…
I used to read Joy and her books. I’m the one who introduced her to several of my romance-loving friends. But since her lawsuit with Dorchester, she hasn’t written anything, and it looks like Avon / Harper Collins won’t touch her ei…
Jul 05, 2006 @ 15:36:42
Wow. That’s just…wow. I know there are two sides to every story but I just can’t imagine what Dara’s side must be. I mean…people send you money…you GOTTA give them a product. The whole thing is just…odd. When I heard about it a year or so ago, it was all “Poor Dara, trampled by Dorchester”. But now…I guesss it’s hard to know what to think. I hope the readers can get their money back, and soon.
Jul 05, 2006 @ 15:45:35
Personally, I’ve never read DJ, nor had the urge to. Though I am surprised that this has been going on without having heard a word of it until this blog. I suppose I’m hiding in my shell more than I thought. LOL
Still, sounds to me like DJ screwed up royally. Though, it has to be said, fans should have known better than to pre-pay for a book that had yet to be printed. That seems more like a common sense thing to me than anything else….
It’s kind of sad, really.
Jul 05, 2006 @ 16:44:10
I also believe in the “two sides to every story” theory. I think that Dara Joy was not the first author to complain of unpaid royalties by Dorchester but that doesn’t excuse her behavior to her fans and neither does it excuse the way in which she handled the court case.
I don’t have the docket sheet in front of me, but one entry by the judge chastised Ms. Joy for not complying with the deadlines, asserting that while Ms. Joy was appearing pro se, she appeared intelligent enough to be able and comply with the deadlines. So even if she did have a case for unpaid royalties, she screwed herself over in not getting her act together during the lawsuit (btw – she did countersue) and allowed Dorchester to take advantage of her.
I also wonder where William Morris was during this? Did they disgorge any profits from the sale of ROP? If I were Dorchester, I would have gone after that money as well.
Jul 05, 2006 @ 19:31:09
I also believe in the “two sides to every story" theory. I think that Dara Joy was not the first author to complain of unpaid royalties by Dorchester but that doesn’t excuse her behavior to her fans and neither does it excuse the way in which she handled the court case.
Yeah, I see those as separate things, actually. In terms of Joy’s dispute with Dorchester, my jaded self has no problem entertaining the notion, at least, that large publishers don’t always value their authors or reward them at a certain level of valuation, legally promised or not. Did Joy counter with a breach of K claim (anticipatory or otherwise) or something else, Jane? Could Joy try to show fraud on the part of Dorchester and claim that the contract is therefore null (i.e. that contractually promised royalties were knowingly witheld from her)?
Unfortunately, and beyond the Joy situation, I don’t think most authors are particularly legally savvy, either, and I can imagine that many feel somewhat intimidated at the idea of challenging a publisher, especially when so many other prospective authors are waiting to take their place in the publishing pecking order.
I also wonder where William Morris was during this? Did they disgorge any profits from the sale of ROP? If I were Dorchester, I would have gone after that money as well.
Since part of Joy’s contention is that she wrote a sci-fi book for WM, would Dorchester need to wait for a judicial finding that ROP was, instead, a Romance novel before Dorchester could go after WM or even attempt to settle with them? Under what label did WM publish ROP (fiction, sci fi, Romance)? With all of the hybridization these days in Romance and beyond, I think it would be even harder to distinguish ROP from the Romance genre, especially if Dorchester claims that Joy anticipated that hybridizing trend with her MOD series.
Jul 05, 2006 @ 19:42:17
Ms. Joy is not the only author I’ve heard complain about late and/or unpaid royalties by a publishing house. It’s not limited to just Dorchester; I can think of at least two other authors who have cautioned writers who want to go fulltime about this. At least the definite impression I’ve gotten is that royalties from print publishers are neither steady nor predictable, and what most pay attention to is the advance.
Not that I’m trying to excuse publishers of not paying their royalties, because that’s not cool, but Joy’s reaction is more like that of a child. “You hit me, so I’ll hit back.” Unfortunately, that seldom works out in the business world.
Jul 09, 2006 @ 04:11:35
Hi there!
I just finished reading your interview, and I experienced exactly the same. In february 2006 I received an email from Cory that my book would be shipped soon. At the end of March 2006 I emailed Cory, and asked when I would receive my book, in which he replied and I quote: “The books are still shipping. I will look up your order and see where you are on the roster to ship out. I will let you know. Don’t worry- I have your book covered.”
At the 14th of May 2006 I emailed Cory again and demanded to know when I would finally receive my book, and suprise suprise I haven’t heard from Cory ever since.
Needless to say that I’m furious with Dara Joy and her people, and I certainly will NEVER buy another book from Dara Joy again!
Jul 16, 2006 @ 08:38:27
Hi, well here, all this time, I thought I was the only one who got ripped off for these books! Nice to know I have lots of company. I’ve also emailed “Cory” many, many times, have also sent the information below many times, and also got the excuse about being out of town due to a death & my books had been shipped in March, and he’d find out what happened to them, etc. Right about then I finally woke up & smelled the coffee & realized I’d been had. I’ve lodged a complaint with Paypal about it, and here’s my info about my transaction for the 3 books I paid for- you’re free to use my info in any way you like.
I can honestly say I never expected an author to behave in this way, and I’d never buy another of her books! Sincerely, Linda Walker.
Transaction Details
Web Accept Payment Sent (ID # 7MR17634PP1139002)
Business Name:
House of Sages (The recipient of this payment is Verified)
Email:
qask89@prodigy.net
Total Amount:
-$53.10 USD
Item Amount:
$14.95 USD
Shipping:
$8.25 USD
Handling:
$0.00 USD
Quantity:
3
Item Title:
The+Amazing+Tales+of+Wildcat+Arrows
Date:
Mar. 31, 2005
Time:
12:11:13 PST
Status:
Completed
Shipping Address:
Linda Walker
418 Woodlawn Av.
Belleair, FL 33756-2043
United States
Confirmed
Business Contact Information
Customer Service Email: qask89@prodigy.net
Funding Type:
PayPal Funds
Funding Source:
$53.10 USD – PayPal Account
Description:
The+Amazing+Tales+of+Wildcat+Arrows
Jul 19, 2006 @ 10:09:41
I own a bookstore in Orlando, FL and ordered several copies of both books for myself and customers. The delay with the first book was bad enough but child’s play compared with the problems with the second. I emailed Cory many times, getting especially nasty after seeing copies offered on ebay from people that had received theirs. I finally got my copies with the “death in the family” explanation. I have since received other emails from him saying that they had copies left and asking if I wanted to order more. After reading of so many people that never received theirs I know I was lucky to get my first order. It only took over a year!!! Why would they think people would go thru all that again. I may have been born at night but I wasn’t born last night.
Jul 21, 2006 @ 22:11:59
Well, I am glad to hear that SOMEONE out there has actually gotten what they paid for. This whole process has been ridiculous. I never thought that an author who didn’t think she was getting the proper treatment would treat her fans so poorly. I will be surprised if she is ever able to sell another book after this debacle. I am very impatiently and pissed off waiting for my book I ordered well over a year ago to appear. I will be happy to get my book, just so I have gotten what I paid for it. Although, from what I am hearing about the book, I might just be better off without it.
Jul 31, 2006 @ 15:32:50
After ordering this book 2/12/05, I finally received my copy 7/10/06. I really feel that I only received the book after finding the joycomplaints on the Dorchester Forum. I have since sent 6 or 7 other folks to joycomplaints. Another one just today. Personally I will never buy another book by Dara Joy unless it is on the shelf. Actually I don’t know that I will read this one after reading the reviews on it. I was however determined to get what I had paid for or get my money back.
Evelyn
Aug 16, 2006 @ 22:26:28
Fabulous information. Thanks for the great article! I’m very disappointed with Dara Joy. I loved her Matrix books and the Tiberius and Zanita books too! What happened to her and who is she kidding? I haven’t even read RoP, but after glancing at it in the bookstore, even I can tell it’s a romance (not SciFi). I bought Wildcat Arrows on faith (even though the cover image was alternately laughable and freaky), and, yes, I feel like an idiot. But I don’t think the victims should be blamed for this mess. This is theft!
Aug 17, 2006 @ 10:22:03
Aug 17, 2006 @ 14:15:17
i too have been waiting fir this darn book i sent him two email’s this morning one with pay pal proof, so you can add me to whatever complaint lists there are, and im one of her fans that has re-read her books till they were dog eared , talk about a let down
Aug 17, 2006 @ 14:59:29
I, too, am in this same boat with the rest of you. I paid for my book in the beginning and I still have not received it. I have been emailing Cory since April and finally on July 2nd I was told that my order shipped back in April. When I told him that I never received it he told me that he would “look into it” and if the book was lost he would send the order out again. I have emailed him 5 times since this message, and I have not received any response at all. I am so upset over this. I ordered the first book and it wasn’t perfectly handled, but it wasn’t the mess this release has been! I don’t know if this will help me get my book or not, but I sincerely hope so. Thanks for the help!
Aug 17, 2006 @ 15:17:00
Well…isn’t interesting that I did exactly as Carinne did: I sent an e-mail to Cory who took three months to send me a response. In the response I received it was said that there was a death in the family and that was why it took him this long in responding. Then, Cory said my book was sent in April, and of course, I have not received anything. It would be interesting to do an informal survey for finding out how many of us Cory said he sent the book in April…wouldn’t it be interesting to find out how many of us is that? For those who actually received the book, is it any good? Please, do humor me in this for I feel thoroughly taken for a fool and laught at…the feeling is not nice.
Aug 17, 2006 @ 16:34:43
I feel so bad for you guys. I did some more research today. I found that Donna Shain Lanier’s home (something that was owned by her parents?) at 30 Himoor Circle, Randolph MA is currently up for foreclosure. I’ll run a search later to see if she or her company has filed for bankruptcy. I have a bad feeling that if you haven’t gotten your book yet, you many never get it. If you used a charge card, even though paypal, you may be able to do a charge back. Call your credit card company and ask about it.
Aug 18, 2006 @ 11:32:57
im paid for the book just like the rest of you and never got my book.the last email i got said it would be shipping soon which was months ago.then i saw the used copys showing up on amazon and new i had been ripped off. its been so long since i paid for the book i no longer have the proof i paid for it so i chacked it up and decided never to buy another book from this author.
Aug 18, 2006 @ 15:40:02
I feel very sorry for that authour for making a mess of a fine career and reputation as an author. Every which way she turns she ends up burning bridges instead of gaining the support she desperately needs…that is sad. Yes, I lost my money, but that is something I can get back. However, what Donna S. Lanier has lost is way more valuable: she has lost face, respect and honor. To me that is such a serious loss…please, God save me from such a loss!
Aug 19, 2006 @ 02:35:25
HI everyone,
As of today, I have received 138 complaints and have been able to get at least 112 of those people their books. I received the rest of those complaints in the last 10 days.
I would love to say that I could do this indefinitely but I am not able to because of work and other demands. I will be taking complaints via the complaints email thru 09/30/06. Any complaint received by that date I will track and try to help them get their book. After that date, I will be sending out just a canned email with my recommendations and then the address for the AG office of MA.
I will be honest and tell you that I think Cory is mainly just putting out the fires. If the complaints were diminishing I would think he was getting caught up, but they are not, they are increasing. My hands are tied as long as he is complying with the 7-10 day warnings.
I know I have been of some help to some of you and I feel that will have to be enough. We have no idea how many people simply have given up or how many people will never get the book.
If anyone of you would like to start a complaints line and man it, I would be glad to advise and get you started. After September, I will not be able to give it the attention it deserves.
Eliz
Aug 19, 2006 @ 09:32:39
Dear Elizabeth,
Would you take my complaint, please? I bought a copy of “The Amazing Tales of Wildcat Arrow” on Thursday, June 9, 2005. The transaction time 6:56 PM from House of Sages. The order number is 7023. I used Visa card which is on my husband’s name Alvin Reid. The charges were $20.80. I just want the book…I am not trying to cause problems or anything, but it would be nice if I get my book. Thank you in advance for your time and consideration.
Aug 19, 2006 @ 17:33:27
Elizabeth,
Would you Take My compliant, The Book was ordered by [edited by admin. We don't want your personal info out there for anyone to read.] We ordered it off of her Visa…at this time I don’t have all the information that other have for you…but we did order the book and I just wanted the book and if someone would just return some information or just told me that the book was on the way
Linda DAVIS
Aug 19, 2006 @ 21:24:53
Hi Eliz…I, like you, have been a DJ reader since her very first book. I have each and every one saved on my ‘keeper shelves’. I ordered two copies of the latest “Wildcat Arrows” book on Mar 30 05. I still have zero books.
I have sent emails every 4-6 weeks since I saw people reporting receipt of the new book on her website, but can’t even get a response to a request for the status of my order! Would you please help me too??
I understand that self-publishing is time-consuming, but she or her representative could at least give us, the readers who are supporting her, the grace of an update.
tks
JJ
Aug 19, 2006 @ 23:47:29
Hi everyone,
I notice some of you are posting here asking for help.
If you are interested in my advice on how to get your book or if you don’t get your book, in joining in on a group complaint if we have to.. DO NOT POST your personal info here. Send me an email at joycomplaints@yahoo.com.
Thanks
Eliz
Soberao or anyone else… please email and I will be glad to let you know what you can do.
Aug 23, 2006 @ 17:33:14
To eveyone that is having trouble getting a book:
Elizabeth advise works…
My daughter and I received our book today….I emailed Cory on Sat and the email was very strong….and I gave him 7 business days to get the book to us. OR else….
But you have to watch Cory …he can not tell the truth even about the date and time he mails the book…..but we did get the book after being mean and ugly..
So Elizabeth advise works and you will get your book
Thanks Elizabeth.
Your Friend
Linda Davis
Sep 02, 2006 @ 23:33:41
Just to let you all know that I received my book today. I was going to use Elizabeth’s letter, but I decided to use a softer tone once more and, if my soft toned letter prooved unsuccessful, then I was going to send Elizabeth’s suggestions. It was not necessary, a polite response was sent to me from Cory, and he even gave me the tracking number of the package sent to me. I was very pleased with the results. I am planning on reading the book…I will tell you all what I think. In the meantime, I wish you all well and that you get the book(s) you order.
Sep 04, 2006 @ 01:10:05
Sobero,
I am glad to hear that you got your book. Unfortunately that has not been working for most people. Most are simply not getting any response to their emails at all. There are two reasons that they complaints line has worked for many. First, it is a show of force in numbers. When they receive a lot of emails telling them they have a final warning, they seem to respond. Second, while each and every one has been sending a final warning, I have been sending him a final warning from the complaints line. If you responded to my complainst line, More than likely, your name has appeared on that list. That and your recent email to him usually makes him go ahead and mail the book.
In one respect, I actually hate that. It means he is simply putting out fires and just responding to those who are taking action. But my main goal has always been simply to help people get their book.
9 out 10 nice emails are just not gonna go it. I am sorry for that. But I have a whole slew of people who have told me that it (a nice email) is not working.
I am glad it worked for you. If you would, however, let me know via the complaints line that you got your book. I may still have you on my list of “not received” and am tracking that. I don’t have you under this name.
Sep 04, 2006 @ 09:52:30
Dear Elizabeth,
I definitely agree with your accurate assessment of the situation with Joy’s book. I was prepared to use your suggestion, please, do not get me wrong for your suggestions are good and full of common sense. I guess I was lucky to “touch a nerve” with what I told Cory about Ms. Joy.
Changing the subject a bit, my take on Dara Joy’s behavior is that perhaps she got famous too quick and did not know how to handle it. I went to a lecture given by Dean Koontz, and during conversation with his audience, he admitted to have been stolen on royalties millions of dollars from his former publisher. Koontz said that was reason he changed publishers. What I found remarkable from Dean Koontz is that he wrote for his former publisher the books he said under contract that he was going to write and quietly “swallowed the worm”…I bet it did not go down well for nobody likes to be taken. Mr. Koontz said his publisher realizing the huge mistake they made tried to “clean up the mess” by offering Dean Koontz millions of dollars if he stayed. Dean Koontz refused the offer, and he said that after he refused an offer of 16 millions — just on a matter of principle — he went to the bathroom and threw up! The entire audience was so amazed and impressed with this lecture given by Dean Koontz that we were all in silence just watching him so surprised…we could not believe what he was saying. Comparing Mr. Koontz’ behavior with Ms. Joy’s she comes out lacking common sense, intelligence and just basic decentsy…she can just go deceiving her readers in such a stupid way thinking because she is Dara Joy, a very good writer, can get away with it. To me, Ms. Joy’s behavior is tipycal of a person who does not know how to handle fame and its responsibilities and who has made her first serious mistake…Mr. Koontz’ mistake was to trust the wrong the publisher, and with heart warming candidness he told his audience about his ordeal with his former publishing house, but he rose to the occasion and came out of his ordeal stronger. What’s wrong with Dara Joy that she could not do the same? Soberao
Sep 05, 2006 @ 16:23:49
Dear Elizabeth,
i sent you an email but i wanted others to read this.I want to a say thank you for your advice beacause within a week of e-mailing cory , using your advice, i received my book.It’s a shame that i had to resort to a threatening letter but at least i got what i paid for.To those of you who don’t have your book I strongly suggest e-mailing elizabeth so she can give you an outline on how to get a response and your book.It really works, I just hope more fans find this site and are willing to do something about this situation.
thanks again elizabeth and god bless
laura
lucidity95@yahoo.com
Sep 12, 2006 @ 09:02:11
I am e-mailing you as well and thank you for providing this information. Being based in the UK I didn’t start chasing up my book immediately. I waited until the start of June, as shipping from the US can take some considerable time.
I never received a single e-mail in response to my requests for confirmation that my book had been shipped.
I am shortly going to put a notice on my website (ironically one which was quoted in the reviews at the front of That Familiar Touch) advising people to come here for information about the whole sorry mess.
Unfortunately I don’t have time to run the complaints procedure but would be happy to include on my site any information you might have that would help people to try to sort things out direct.
Louisa
Sep 13, 2006 @ 10:06:10
Thank you so much for providing the information you have. I thought I was the only one that did not receive the book. At this point in time, I am just furious about the whole situation. I have written to Cory repeatedly with no response.
The real stickler to the whole situation is the careless treatment of a fan base that has followed Ms. Joy through the years. It is truly sad when a fan further declines to read an author’s books because of unethical business dealings. It is an even greater travesty when an author loses her fan base and sympathy for her cause because a fan has lost the belief in her good name, as I have done.
I am still hopeful that I get my book just for the sheer principle that it would work my last nerve to have someone steal from me.
Wishing the very best to all:
Elizabeth M.
Sep 13, 2006 @ 10:35:39
Dear Elizabeth,
I totally understand your feelings…it is not nice to be let down. I am totally disappointed on Dara Joy’s handling of the situation. I received my book about three weeks ago, and it was thru the help of another writer whose name is Elizabeth like you are. Elizabeth has a complaint helpline and she is very effective. You can contact her at joycomplaints@yahoo.com. I wish you well. If you read the responses at “Dear Author” you will see a sample letter to send to Cory telling him that you want your book. The letter if effective as some people has said that after sending it to Cory they received their book within a week. I am sorry we all have to go thru this for a book we purchased in goodwill. soberao
Sep 27, 2006 @ 04:18:43
Hello,
I am wondering if anyone can help me. I am also in the same situation and I am sending an email to the joycomplaint address that everyone has posted. My problem is that I ordered a total of 5 books in two seperate transactions that are documented in Paypal. I also have sent numerous emails to Cory and have only recieved 1 response in June and yet no books have arrived. I am hoping that someone will take pity on me and help me our or at least tell me what to do in this situation. I have paid almost $91.00 for books that I have never received. I actually ended up buying a copy at a bookstore just so that I would have a copy. This whole situation is absolutely ridiculous. Please help.
Vanessa
Sep 27, 2006 @ 09:54:43
Vanessa, if there is anyone who can help you, it is Elizabeth.
Sep 27, 2006 @ 10:12:02
Dear Vanessa,
Do not panic you are in good shape for you have a paypal receit from your purchase. In the column called “Responses” of Dear Author the response dated August 19, 2006…that writer named Elizabeth is the one who is helping people to receive the book(s) purchased. Write to Elizabeth requesting a copy of the letter she sent to Cory, so you can get the books you purchased. Elizabeth is very nice; she helps people like us out of her sense of justice and that is a refreshing show of generosity from this writer called Elizabeth for she does not have to do that, but she does it out of decensy and good manners. I truly like Elizabeth. It is unfortunate that we have been let down this way. soberao
Sep 28, 2006 @ 03:45:37
I agree, get in touch with Elizabeth. After giving up on the polite e-mails I was sending and taking her advice I finally got my book last week.
Louisa
Sep 29, 2006 @ 10:45:45
I preordered 2 copies of “The Amazing Tales of Wildcat Arrors, plus the prepaid shipping and handling. It looks like a lot more money was stolen from us then just the money for the books. Dara Joy misled us, using money she clained was for the Postal Service to mail our books to us. I paid $7.75 for the shipment alone. It was expensive because she wanted to mail the express. Was this another way to lure unexpecting fans out of more money. Is this more fraud. I was a fan. WAS…. There are alot of authors out there and I am more than happy to pass up on any of Dara’s New books that I must pay for in advance. I was not happy with the familiar touch. I was looking for a story, not a book of Dara’s fan mail. The book was a huge disappointment. That Familiar Touch. .. I’m hungary for a new book for Dara but that does not meat I have to eat dirt…
Soberao
Sep 29, 2006 @ 12:44:50
Dear Susan,
The picture you paint about this particular author’s greed is scarry. What is more, what kind of mentality a person must have for coming up with such a scheme and even think she can get away with it…obviously she is wrong. I wonder what’s Cory’s role in this charade. I received my book after a year of waiting and sending several letters. Whenever I see the book I feel so disgusted that I do not want to even pick it up, let alone read it. I wonder if this particular author has the habit of changing her name. I believe it is going to be difficult to sell a new book under Dara Joy for her reputation follows her. soberao
Oct 04, 2006 @ 23:57:10
Hi everyone,
I am sending an email to Jane to ask her if she will do an update to this article. As of 10/1/06 I am no longer accepting complaints via the email address shown in the article.
I wish I could have continued to help but work projects and home have to take priority and I had 2 new big work projects that started at the end of September that is taking most of my time.
I am committed to helping and tracking and send warning letters on anyone who sent me an email prior to 10/1/06. If you send one after that date, a vacation auto response has been turned on giving anyone a link to a webpage that will furnish the same information that I gave anyone who contacted the complaints line.
I wish I could say that things got better. I am working on the last 10 or 15 complaints and so far anyone who has contacted me prior to 09/15/06 has gotten their book. The last few I am working on are people who contacted me at the end of September.
As far as Cory and Dara Joy, I doubt seriously that everyone will get their books. While I was able to help people put pressure on them to get their books, Cory basically used that to his advantage and its seem they were just putting out fires. I do know that the Paypal account for “House of Sage” has been shut down. Paypal finally got enough complaints on it.
If you are new to this information, follow the link below for info about how you can try to get your book. Good Luck!
Oct 05, 2006 @ 00:09:01
For some reason or another the link did not show in that last comment. You will have to cut and paste it but here it is:
http://www.geocities.com/joycomplaints/index.html?1159606980000
Oct 05, 2006 @ 06:04:09
I will add the link to your new page to my site. It is not finding it at the moment though. Says it is a placeholder for the site. Is the link correct? Or is it a case of me being too quick?
Louisa
Oct 05, 2006 @ 07:34:39
Elizabeth – I’ll host the contents of the site here as well. Thanks for all your help.
Oct 05, 2006 @ 21:13:23
Jane, thanks I was getting ready to email you and you have already taken care of it. I do appreciate it.
Louisa, when I cut and paste the link as shown, it works for me. However, if it still does not work for you, Jane has graciously copied the info and added as a page addendum to the article on this website. Check that link and you can probably use that one for your link. (Go to the last page of the article, and the link is the one shown in the last paragraph).
Thanks everyone!
Oct 06, 2006 @ 04:49:09
It’s working now thanks. I have added the link to my page. Thanks again for all your help.
Oct 30, 2006 @ 13:51:06
Hi – as of today (30 Oct 2006), mail sent to Cory at the Dara Joy website is bouncing as undelivered. Looks like they are not accepting any more emails.
Oct 31, 2006 @ 05:50:36
Aneesa, I had the same problem at first and realised that in my case it was the attachments of previous correspondence that were causing it to bounce back to me. If you were trying to attach previous e-mails that could be the reason in your case too. I copied and pasted the old e-mails into the one I was sending and that got mine through. If you are using attachments then I would suggest doing the same.
Nov 05, 2006 @ 07:44:37
Hi everyone, I did finally recieve my books from Cory. The people who have not recieved their books is going to be soooo upset when they do get it. I read the book, and I asked myself, “Who wrote this book?”. This is not Dara Joys book or writing as far as I am concerned. I do have an extra copy and anyone who would like to read this, pass it on, and so forth, please e-mail me and I will put it in the mail to you. This book does not go into my Dara Joy collection. If I mail the book to you, all I ask is that you will mail it onto the next person who would like to read it so on and so forth. Hopefully this will be on an honor system that will not be abused. Everyone who reads and passes on, maybe we should sign our name to it or something. My e-mail address is humbirdnest@hotmail.com … I’ll have it out to the first person who e-mails me and then forward any other requests to the next person. A group book. When my daughter has read her copy I will put it up for mailing also. Everyone have a good day. Susan
Nov 30, 2006 @ 19:11:59
Another LKH saga, how is it that a mod from the LKH can come unto another board to have members there banned.
Some of the fans are complaining about the artwork done by the artist who drew the characters in the new comic book.
They are complaining that the rat in GP looks like a Ken doll, that he is asexual. That the artist should to do something about his nether regions to make him more of a threat.
Well there are 2 members there who does not agree with the status quo and one was banned after an email was sent to a moderator of this board, making him aware that she had been banned several times from the LKH board.
The excuse from the moderator of said board was because the two people one of whom he banned were using the same IP address. He publicly banned them and stated “We do not allow double registrations on this board, so you are banned, something have and will do again, it will not be tolerated here, if you cannot back up your post, do not sign up under another alias, to give yourself a cheering section.
It was also stated to the person banned that a moderator of the LKH board warned him that said member had been banned from the LKH, for being disrespectful to the AB characters.
Shakes head will it never cease?
Nov 30, 2006 @ 23:35:28
i ordered the 1st book, and it was late…also disappointing..i pre paid for the 2 nd book and have never received it. i have sent emails to cory; and not received any answers..i feel cheated; it’s so disappointing…is there a way to finally recieve the book i paid for? sincerely, karen a very unhappy fan
Dec 01, 2006 @ 07:55:32
Karen, try cutting and pasting this link. Elizabeth, who was interviewed for this article, left instructions about how to go about getting your book.
http://www.geocities.com/joycomplaints/index.html?1159606980000
In Susan’s post (two above yours), she lists her email address for a round robin reading.
Dec 13, 2006 @ 07:48:36
Just like everyone else, I am a huge Dara Joy fan. And have waited patiently for her newest book to be sent out. I have waited for a year now and still have heard nothing. The emails on my inquiries have gone unanswered, I have gotten only 1 message from Cory saying they are looking into it then heard nothing back. Their constant delays and taking money for something they have not delivered is wrong and deceitful.What they are doing is no different than being a theif. Either give me back my money or actually finally send the books that I ordered.
Dec 27, 2006 @ 01:20:51
After reading all of everyone’s comments on this site regarding D.Joy’s inability to meet her obligations (be it a shipped book that one has paid for or a well written novel that meets the reader’s expectations), I am in complete agreement.
I have been a fan of DJ’s since the beginning, and even stuck with her with her first self-published novel (it was somewhat disappointing, I was hoping for the completion of the Trilogy), but my experience with “Wildcat Arrows” has been at a whole new level (and we are not talking higher here). 18 months after paying for it, with no less than 12 email communications regarding my concerns as to where it was, which were generally responded to by messages of problems with shippings, printing problems, etc…. unfortunately, I finally received it and had the pleasure of reading something that if it had not had DJ’s name on it, I would have classified it as a first time effort by someone else.
If anyone has not yet received their copy and wishes to read it, I will send my copy to you and all you have to do is pay the shipping. First person to email a request to me at dewood65@hotmail.com
Hopefully, after reading it, you would throw out the same offer to another person so that they also can at last read the book, so they can move on to more worthwhile pursuits (like cleaning out dust bunnies under furniture)…
Jan 06, 2007 @ 02:06:35
I am in the same boat as everyone else. I placed an order 2/12/05 and have kept every email sent and received from Cory. I finally got mean and told him if he didn’t ship it or refund my money, I will notify the proper authorities, including the Attorney General of MA. A day later, I received an email from him stating that he is resending my book and gave me a tracking number. Of course they wouldn’t refund my money. It said to wait 24 hours for information. Frankly, if this proves to be false, I’m afraid that will have to contact whatever authorities I can get a hold of. However, thank you Elizabeth for all you advice. All the information you provided eased my mind and placed some control back into my hands.
Personally, I wonder if perhaps someone else wrote those books and DJ passed them off as her own. That may explain the vast difference between her past and current writing. Maybe this is all a scam and they have the real Dara Joy buried somewhere. I know I sound cynical, but frankly if someone is willing to screw up their rep and fans that badly seems willing to do anything for money. It’s sad, and I plan to never shell out my hard earned cash for another of her books, on or off the shelf.
Jan 10, 2007 @ 00:07:00
I was one of the luckier ones I guess. I got my copy of Wildcat Arrows relatively painlessly after a couple of emails early on when they finally started sending them out. The book was terrible though, I couldn’t get through it. I won’t ever buy another self published book from her.
However, if I ever see a publisher take her on if she ever gets out of the mess she is in I will buy any continuation of the Matrix of Destiny series. I really liked those books. I also always wanted to see a story about Mills and Gregor from High Energy / Intensity.
Unfortunately I don’t see it happening. She has really screwed up her career I think, it’s a great shame.
Jan 19, 2007 @ 18:53:12
Just like all of you I ordered this book way back at the beginning, kept checking back, email the web person and got no response. Finally today I did a general search of this book and found this site. As sad as it is to say it’s nice to know that I’m not alone. But still no book. Sad really because I won’t buy another one from her again.
Thanks
Effie
Jan 19, 2007 @ 22:25:17
I loved her books. I even played in the tavern. It was so much fun. I waited patiently for the first book too. Even though online friends told me something wasnt right, i still supported her. When the second book was revealed, i ordered it thinking and hoping it was better than the last. I paid and never recieved it. i know she took the money because i was checking my bank statement and within a week the money was taking out of my account. I still havent received it. The sad thing is i really loved her characters. I would have bought every book she came out from that seris. When or if she decides to go back to writing, ill never buy her books. SHE STOLE MONEY FROM ME. I had to save up for that stupid book. sigh……….. life goes on. i guess
Feb 04, 2007 @ 18:48:07
I have also been waiting for my book for over a year. I tried to contact Cory–left messages on the web-site, but I have never heard back from anyone. I am very diappointed in Dara, and am hoping to receive what I paid for in good faith.
Feb 06, 2007 @ 11:12:51
i also had waited a year for my book.i had kept a copy of my order and it had reference numbers on it. i started sending the same email everyday to Cory(sometimes more than once a day hehe) with the information and had my book in a month.
Feb 07, 2007 @ 16:33:38
I have read most of the back comments and this may have been addressed; I would love to read her latest books however, with the problems everyone is having I’m not willing to go through all that…
This however, is what I don’t understand, I’m not intrested in a bound copy. I just want to read the book. So, to cut down publishing and shipping cost why don’t they make the books avalible for download or Email from their site?
I’m pretty sure she wrote them on her computer. Why not make that an option? If you let fans download it, there’s practicaly NO WAITING! And if you email them the file they just have to wait for your Email. That cuts ALL your publishing expences. In this day and age of the computer I can’t understand why that’s not an option.
Feb 20, 2007 @ 12:40:41
This is precisely the kind of situation that makes me very nervous. I remember ten, maybe twelve years ago when Dara Joy’s Rejar made her a creative romance genius without equal (or so readers would have had me believe–I wasn’t too keen on the book myself). I suppose you could say Joy hit her peak. At the time, as an author, I paid close attention to exactly what it was about Joy that made her exceptional. I didn’t want to emulate her, but I did want to learn from her. And now where is she? The peak has peaked, the readers are revolted, and writers like myself are left wondering whether success corrupts. I think I would prefer a steady under the radar career–not everyone’s darling with a word processor, but never running afoul of the readers or the industry either.
Feb 21, 2007 @ 22:12:11
I remember what I felt when the Last book came out and I tried to find every penny, nickel, dime, well you get the idea, The fact of the matter was I was broke and I new this was one of those now or never situations due to the fact Dara Joy was in some legal battle with her publisher. So I ended up closing a savings account, that I have really never used just to get it and I was at the point of borrowing from friends and doing extra work. I still have the receipt and every thing but I feel really cheated. They kept saying things like, “the printers are being fix or printing school books has to go before us. And I was a very understanding person you know. Life doesn’t always go the way we want you know. I don’t know if what they were saying was a lie or not. But when they shut down there website, it was then I realized they had run out of excuses that or ran out of money. Either way… because of what had happened I lost all my faith in people. I consider myself a nice person almost at the point of being a pushover. But it’s when a person actually goes to the great length to do what Dara Joy or/Cory had done it makes my feel that in the end all they felt was for themselves and had no consideration for those who stood by them when the publisher’s lawsuit started
Feb 25, 2007 @ 22:55:54
don’t know if you are still reading these, but add me to the list of people who never received a book or a response on any email.
Feb 26, 2007 @ 11:40:40
I sent an email to cory last nite to ask if the book was still available to buy and he wrote right back to me. Which is interesting, because any time I emailed him to ask when I would get my book, I never received a reply. Here is what he wrote—(looks like they have a new address)
Hello,
Thank you for your post.
You can still place an order.
If you are in the U.S.:
To place an order click on the following link.
http://www.officialdarajoy.com/MarketPlace/marketplace.html
INTERNATIONAL ORDERS
You can place your order by either way as listed
below. The cost of the book is $14.95. Shipping costs
are as follows:
1 book
Canada $9.50
UK, Europe, Australia, South Africa and Asia $12.00
For more than one copy email me and I will get with
you on the shipping costs.
When you email me, please include all information
depending on which option you choose. Shipping will be
sent out either through USPS Global Priority or DHL
International.
Online credit card processor:
For the credit card processor, I need the correct
shipping and billing address, name on card, card
number, expiration date, and CVV number on the back of
the card. The CVV number is usually the last 3 digits
around where you sign over the strip. Tell me if this
is something you can do. If so I will get back to you
with total cost including shipping charges. Any other
questions feel free to email me.
PayPal:
Please email me your name, shipping address with the
country (how it appears on a shipping label) and
paypal email address. Be sure to state in the email
how many books you want to order so I can calculate
shipping accurately.
After I receive your email, I will then invoice you
through paypal. Once you receive this invoice, go to
the link indicated on the paypal invoice to pay. All
monies must be in U.S. dollars.
If you have any further questions concerning the
transaction please email me.
I don’t know if you post on the fanspeak, but we put
up a new board and here is the address
http://www.voy.com/188801/ . So if you would like to post a
topic feel free to do so.
If you have placed an order for The Amazing Tales of
Wildcat Arrows disregard this email then.
Best,
Cory – Webmaster
Feb 26, 2007 @ 13:25:15
Oy! The nerve of this guy. I am guessing that this is an automated reply but still, to offer the book when so many others still have not received the book – reprehensible.
Feb 26, 2007 @ 13:27:45
I agree, Jane. It’s pretty frustrating that there doesn’t seem to be anything that can be done. What can Ms. Joy be thinking? Perhaps she sees no plans of ever returning to the publishing world, because if she does, she’s certainly done a bang up job of alienating her once-loyal fans.
Mar 02, 2007 @ 00:51:13
Hi
Does anyone know what court the Dorchester Publishing law suit is in and the case #?
Thanks iin advance.
Steve
Mar 11, 2007 @ 10:05:30
I followed Elizabeth’s advice last year, and finally did recieve my book after a second more assertive email to Cory. Does anyone know if the MA attorney general’s office has been contacted, and if so, what the results were?
Dionne Galace » Blog Archive » What’s in the Effing Box?!?!?
Mar 31, 2007 @ 16:59:28
[...] EVER. Ah, good times. Let’s see… what else could be in that box… oooh, I know! Dara Joy’s career! Swish! It could also be Marsellus Wallace’s soul. Or Laurell K. [...]
Apr 01, 2007 @ 17:47:47
Hi. I’m mainly concerned about when will the traed book be published? Does anyone have any new info about the suit being settled, or ENDING??!
I like the matrix of destiny books, but I’m unwilling to purchase her stuff through self publishing.
Thanks for your time. :)
Marseille
Apr 02, 2007 @ 09:21:57
After some harrassment to Cory he finally shipped my book to me and then he sent me 2 books. ??? So I will send the extra book out to the first person who emails me and requests it. here is my email- lindalegends@aol.com.
Apr 03, 2007 @ 20:53:14
Apr 03, 2007 @ 22:54:50
After reading this site, I feel bad. I, too, am a self published author. My POD company is Booksurge, owned by Amazon.com. At this time I do not take orders for my books from my website. All orders must go through Amazon or Barnes and Noble and several other on-line resources.
In defense of writers that self publish, it is gaining in popularity for several of the reason sited here. As I write in a Chronicle, I would hate losing the rights to my characters if one day the publisher decided I wasn’t selling enough books for their taste. I couldn’t think of anything more awful.
Indeed Dara has behaved deplorably. I don’t understand why her web-site has not been taken down yet. Any service provider that is worth their salt would do so after reading this site.
But…regarding self-published authors…True, there are bad ones but also there are so many good ones. This is true of even the authors that have publishers. I read four or five books per week…almost ALL of them have publishers and I have tasted many lemons.
Most self publish because they simply can’t get read because of the huge influx of material that most editors/publishers have to wade through daily. Many of them are scared of the big publishing houses because they usually want to keep the rights to a book even after they have no more use of it. This leaves the author with nothing.
I have never heard of a self-published writer behaving this way. DJ has options but it sounds as if she has never cared to take advantage of them. This is so sad that all of this potential is wasted for a quick buck.
Sometime people just dig a hole so deep they can no longer see daylight. This seems to be the case of Dara Joy.
I decided to self publish because I had written three in the Chronicle just for the sake of love. I loved my characters and the world that I created. I had two more books in the Chronicle half finished on my desk. This little voice kept saying…”When…when are you ever going to do this?” One day I clicked onto Booksurge and uploaded…it was done.
I write because I love it. I think that is the only way to write. I hope to one day have a loyal fan base as Dara once did. I will love them too…they always come first. Getting fan mail on my website makes me so happy.
If anyone out there still loves otherworldly paranormal romance…let me know @. http://www.tessaecolby.com All my work is sold through Amazon. It will arrive.
Tessa
Apr 25, 2007 @ 04:21:58
when I first happened upon this site, I hadn’t been on the internet for over a year and a half (twin babies are murder on your free time!) and I had no idea she even had a second self published book. I ordered the first one, and after that debacle I was sure she wouldn’t go that route again. I was actually on the net to see when and if a new book was coming out. Then I saw your site, and was prepared to be furious on Joy’s behalf, but after reading only a few pages, I was furious on the fans behalf. Although I love her work (with the exception of that awful Familiar Touch), I will never buy a book by her again, even if it is Traed’s story.
Apr 25, 2007 @ 11:13:57
…well, maybe if it’s in a bookstore… what can I say? Traed was fascinating.
…well… maybe if it’s in a book store… BTW saw the cover for Wildcat, you were right, it IS atrocious…
May 12, 2007 @ 08:53:17
I never even knew any of this was happening! I have been very patiently waiting for the next matrix book, especially Traed’s, I only just got the internet. I’m sorry to hear all this is happening to her, her matrix books were fantastic, and I can understand why people are mad at her. BUT if there is any information out there on when the matrix books will be available i would love to hear about it, despite all this trouble i need to finish the matrix series – it has me hooked, especially what happens to Traed. Any info on that?
May 12, 2007 @ 09:23:24
Gayle, I think all of her long time fans want to know this but I don’t know if the answer is out there. For right now at least, it seems that Traed will join the ranks of characters who will probably not ever get their own book despite the fact that fans long for it. After reading her first self published book, I would have to wait for glowing reviews before reading it, even if it were free.
May 15, 2007 @ 15:37:32
I never knew this was happening. I ordered the book a long time ago and if you believe it just got it yesterday. I had thought I had made an error when ordering it and forgot to put my apt. number. I emailed Cory about it to check the address when I heard that it was shipping but never recieved a response. Since I didn’t have any proof of purchase I figured I didn’t get a response as he thought I was someone trying to get a free book. Finally last week I get this email saying “Your book has shipped hope you enjoy it.” I sent an email back saying “WHEN??? I never got it!” I finally got another response with the tracking number and confirmation of my correct addy. I couldn’t believe that after 2 years the book was being shipped out. I love Dara’s book’s and find her humor in them completely enjoyable but after this I’m not sure if I would ever buy another of her books. Traed’s story probably but at that point I think I’d have to go through Amazon or some other bookseller so I knew I was covered.
May 15, 2007 @ 16:16:54
Have anybody checked if “Dara Joy” or whatever her real name is still among the living? It is incredible to me that a talented author like she is do something so stupid as to try to get away with such a cheap parlor trick as to take money in advance and then fail to deliver the quality product expected from her…I do not think so…it takes a lot of effort to build a reputation as a writer for ending up committing fraud!? Someone in this group wrote an interesting premise such as the real author is dead and someone is using her name to do this…another question whatever happened with the lawsuit Dara Joy was involved with her publisher…any updates on that…somebody, please…inquiring minds want to know. Felicita
May 15, 2007 @ 16:50:01
Personally I think that she just got mixed up with the wrong guy. Love makes us do stupid things sometimes. It sounds like he is giving her really bad advice and she may just be in love enough to believe the tricks that he is selling. Since he is the one everyone always talks to, it sounds almost like one of those sick relationships where the man doesn’t want the woman exposed to real life and certainly doesn’t want her to have friends that can tell her to dump him. I think that she is with a control freak. Just look at what happened to Whitney Huston. I mean honestly…I don’t think that if she were in her right mind she would ever have put THAT face on a book cover that represented her work. YUCK !
It doesn’t sound like what she is getting out of this is worth where this road has lead her. However, it is not too late. So many people out here still want to see her back on track. This website is proof of that.
So Dara…If your listening…DUMP HIS ugly IDIOT ASS… then…RUN …run fast…
You are a cute girl and you wrote brilliantly…You are better than this and you CAN turn this around.
He isn’t about love baby…he is about control…
Rene’
May 15, 2007 @ 17:32:27
Dear Rene,
This a version of this bizarre story I have not considered, and to me it is as possible as the one I read about Dara Joy been dead and someone is using her name. You mentioned Whitney Houston…she snapped out of a bad relationship for she divorced her man…If Whitney did it, so can you Dara, or whatever your real name is…so could you… if actually you’ve been involved with a control freak. Felicita
May 16, 2007 @ 20:58:27
Ok, I ordered Wildcat Arrows way back in the beginning and just this last winter found you guys and learned of why I hadn’t gotten the book and how hard it was for people who were trying to get it. Then this last weekend out of the blue I get an email from Cory saying the book was mailed. It arrived today. I’m truly amazed. The sad thing is I’ve heard it’s not very good and that some people think she didn’t write it, so at this point I don’t even know if I want to read it but don’t want to get rid of it because I might not ever see another one. Maybe they are getting caught up.
Effie
May 17, 2007 @ 09:16:33
Hi Effie,
I had almost the same experience. I had long forgotten about the book and then out of the blue I get the email from “Cory” that it shipped. I did read the book and while it’s not her best work by far it had some enjoyable moments. Then again I love campy things so that could be why I liked it more then most. It is really really campy! It was like she was inspired by Hitchhiker’s guide to the galaxy and wanted to write a romance in it’s style. Character’s names are silly and a lot of their actions as well. I read a review that said she was trying to make it a comedy and fell short. I believe that as I didn’t find the book funny, just really campy and silly.
Melissa
May 17, 2007 @ 10:22:21
Eiffe & Melissa,
I believe Dara Joy did not write the last two books she self-published. I was so disappointed with her first self-published book that when I finally received her latest I threw it on a corner with no intention to read it…but I wanted to have the satisfaction that she did not get my money and sent me no book for that is absolutely unacceptable to me. Even as angry as I am with her cheap behavior I still think someone is using her name to do this. A person with an average IQ knows that it is impossible to get away with such stupid scheme. The books she wrote with the publishing house showed a person with more than average IQ…those books are actually good.
As for Cory, I believe, this is a person who thinks he knows how get away with playing close to the edge business practices. However, Cory and “Dara” were not counting on the tenacity of her fans. We demand the same quality of a book Dara Joy has written in the past or none at all. Whomever is writing these self-published books better stop for we have a strong suspicion it is not the same author who wrote the other books, and that is the author we want and are willing to pay for. As consumers we longer supporting you “Dara” or whatever name you by nowadays. No more self-published garbage!!!
May 17, 2007 @ 10:26:48
I know what it is to love an author and her work but this is Dara Joy aka Donna Lanier. She’s responsible for the book; the printing of the book; the self publishing of it; the failure to meet deadlines; the taking of orders when past ones haven’t been fulfilled. If you do searches through legal databases, it all matches up. Her mailing address. Her lawsuit. Her name on the copyright. It’s her. It’s not someone else using her name. It was her, on her website, from her. She’s an adult and even if she got caught up with a bad crowd, she’s the one who has to take responsibility for her actions.
Jun 14, 2007 @ 22:59:44
I just happened to find this site when trying to find out more info on Dara Joy. I stopped going to her website a long time ago, because frankly, I was sick of the BS I felt we were all getting. I am very glad I never ordered her self published books, although the only reason I didn’t was because I didn’t recognize the characters in them. I will say that ROP was a very good book. I liked it tremendously, and it more than a little saddens me that I will never hear what happened to River. Ms. Joy left a lot of loose ends it seems. Not just Traed but also the familiar who was left for dead and picked up by the old lady. Dara could have had many years of writing books, and could have easily grown a fan base as big as Christine Feehan, and Sherylin Kennyon, to name a couple. But because of her own selfish stupidity, her career is in shambles, and will most likely not be revived again. Which unfortunately leaves the rest of us “lowly” fans out in the cold without answers to our burning questions. *sigh* I’m am sorry I ever even got caught up in her books, because I am the kind of person who HATES to be in limbo.
Jun 26, 2007 @ 17:32:29
I agree with Teresa. I hate that I will never know what happens to Rejar and all those lovely characters I came to love. I just found this website when searching for her official site again to see if she had written anything else. I thought not recieving my book for 1 year and 3 months was an honest mistake. After sending several nice emails to Cory, BTW is that really him on the cover of Wildcat? I wondered why she would use someone who looked like that after the other men she featured. I finally got tired of waiting for a response and sent a nasty one. Finally Cory emailed me with the death in the family story, which I had just myself experienced twice. So I tried to be understanding and even apoligized to him. Anyway I finally recieved my book and I didn’t even really like it. What a suprise to find that there are so many of us out here. The sad thing is if I could find out what actually did happen with Rejar or any of the Matrix of Destiny series I would probably try to buy another book. I must be a glutton for punishment. Oh well…I guess I should just be happy I got mine.
Jun 26, 2007 @ 20:23:01
I know what you mean, if I saw a book about one of my favorite guys, like Traed, Rejar, or River, I would probably buy the book. It is a shame she owns the characters, and the publishing company couldn’t get another author to write a book about them. I’m sure there are other authors out there who could do them justice. But just in case there are some folks out there who have not heard of them, there are some very good authors who write in a similar fashion. Christine Feehan is a great author, as well as Sherrilyn Kenyon, who has the fabulous Dark Hunter series. If anyone knows of any other authors who write in a similar fashion, I would love to hear of them! :)
Jun 26, 2007 @ 21:33:25
Teresa, I haven’t read Feehan and Kenyon, but I’ve heard that J.R. Ward’s books are somewhat similar to theirs. So if you haven’t tried J.R. Ward’s series (Dark Lover, Lover Eternal, Lover Awakened, Lover Revealed, in that order) you might want to.
Jun 27, 2007 @ 13:19:16
My current favorite is Laurell K Hamilton. Her works feature vampires, werecreatures and sex…oh my…lolololol. And she has a myspace which she actually takes part in.
Thanks for the tips on other authors…I already read all Christine Feehan and some Sherrilyn Kenyon. Have you tried Maggie Shayne? A great source for these books used is alibris.com, that way if you don’t like them you haven’t spent a fortune.
But like I said my favorite is definately Laurell K Hamilton. Both the Anita Blake series (I think she is up to number 15) and the Merry Gentry series (number 6, I think, is coming soon). She has even succesfully turned her first vampire book into a comic book. Her stuff is addicting!
Jun 29, 2007 @ 04:54:09
I don’t know what people are talking about when they say Dara Joy took her fans money and didn’t ship the books. I have both that familiar touch and wildcat arrows. Obviously she shipped them to her fans or I would not have them. I don’t know much about the lawsuit. she did have postings on her site but now there is nothing. Gag order maybe?
Jun 29, 2007 @ 14:37:19
I loved the Dara Joy books that I did get to read and will miss not being able to continue the same line. I am not sure why they would even try to self publish though. Seems a smarter way to do it would be just sell us a Word or PDF file. Certainly easier to set up then the route they have taken.
In the in last little while I have come to discover a few favorite authors. Robin D. Owens with her Heartmate series. Sherrilyn Kenyon, whether writing as Kenyon or Mac Gregor has a couple of great series as well. Can’t go wrong with Nora Roberts writing as JD Robb. That woman sure can tell a story.
I was strong proponent of Laurell K Hamilton at the very biginning of Anita Blake line but in the last few of the books there is so little story it is just one endless sex scene after another. If I wanted to straight porn I think I would go to another venue.
Jul 02, 2007 @ 16:56:09
Thank you so much for all the posts on the different authors! I will be checking those out for sure!:)
Jul 03, 2007 @ 06:49:35
Another author not mentioned above that is very simalar to Dara Joy is Sandra Hill. She writes time travels and others that will make you LOL. Her stories have alot of tough guys put into a different time periods. Even though here heros are not vampires or other. The writing style is very simalar to Dara Joy. Also, I love Karen Moning. She writes about the fae people and time travel.
Jul 03, 2007 @ 12:19:39
christine feehan and Susan Krinard write paranormal books. witches, warewolves, vampires, other paranormal romance. I really enjoyed susan krinard’s warewolf books.
Jul 09, 2007 @ 06:57:53
Regarding Suzie’s post on June 29th at 0454. I’m sorry, but are you implying that everyone who states they have not received their copy is lying because you received yours? Obviously? Hmmm…perhaps I simply do not recall receiving it then, because OBVIOUSLY I should have. Not that it appears to be a big loss, reading wise. Nor, for that matter, cover model wise. Talk about bad, bad, bad. But then, perhaps I received a refund I do not recall as well.
Jul 09, 2007 @ 08:43:07
Lynn,
You are entitled to an apology from Dara Joy, Lynn, as well as the rest of us who were not as lucky as Suzie who received her book right away. I did not like the implication that I am lying as I am one of those unfortunate readers who did not receive it until after I was sending e-mails reminding Cory to send my book. It took Cory one year to send me my book!!! It was extremely irritating and time consuming having to dig out receipts, confirmation of online purchase to send to Cory as prove of my claim. I would have not gone through such inconvenience for the sake of lying…that’s insane! I was determined that Dara Joy was not getting my money without a book in sight, though. That was not going to happen, and it didn’t.
What mystifies me the most is Dara Joy’s silence, and the mediocrity of the last two books she self published. As the others I thought “who the heck wrote these last two books?” for they do not have the tone and flow characteristic of her books. I am so curious to know what really went on with Dara Joy as the rest of you… On the other hand, I truly feel sorry for Ms. Joy for the waste of such a promising career as a writer. However, if she ever decides to come back, she has to start with a sincere apology and a lengthy explanation to all the loyal readers of Dara Joy’s books who she so completely has let down and disappointed. We are the innocent party here… we do not deserve our character to come to question for excusing the behavior an author who is so obviously wrong. The character that is ultimately in question here is Ms. Joy’s.
Jul 09, 2007 @ 14:01:15
I was not insinuating that anyone was lying. What I said is that I received mine. I was not aware that people were not receiving their orders until I happened upon this site and read this. To define more clearly what I meant I must first say that a lot of scams exist out there where people try to sell things they do not have. They obviously had/have the books. It seems the problem is bad management. Her writing has definitely gone downhill and the guy in charge of distribution seems to be a lazy, lying sack of, well you know. I’m just not sure if it was intentional scamming on the part of the author or how much she actually knows about the lack of books distributed since he manages her site as well as her distribution. He obviously sent some out, just not all. I do not know the situation as I was not one of the unlucky people who had to deal with late books or arguing with this guy. However, regardless of who is responsible it is unacceptable and she does seem to have lost her edge since he’s been “helping” her. I’m saddened by the whole state of events. Mostly I’m just confused and seem to be quite uninformed on the whole subject. I’m disappointed as well because all of her books until the last two seemed to have her heading up and now she seems to be heading in the complete opposite direction.
Jul 09, 2007 @ 18:05:45
Suzie,
You are right on your candid assessment of Ms. Joy’s situation. On the other hand, we make all kinds of speculations in order to rationalize her behavior. I have stuck to my theory that she is dead and someone is using her name to push the mediocre books Ms. Joy self published. I just cannot believe a person with an average intelligence which is not the case of Ms. Joy, by the way, making such dumb decisions…to me her behavior is juvenile, though I know many young adults who would not dream of deceiving people in such a stupid way. Perhaps, the pressures of seeing herself without a regular flow of cash, and an impending long, drawn legal battle with her former publisher drove her insane…who knows, we’ll see what is the sequel to this bizarre story.
Jul 15, 2007 @ 18:30:43
I don’t know if this helps but I was searching around on the web for any info I could find on how to contact Dara Joy or “Cory” the webmaster of her site other than the email addy qask89@prodigy.net available on her website. I Googled the email address and found what could be the full name of Cory the webmaster which is Cory Kraatz. Use this link to see for yourself -http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/anfy/message/1421. It leads to a post from Apr 24, 2000 in which he (Cory) is asking about how to build a website. I’m probably telling you all something you already know, if so, sorry. I hope this helps.
Jul 16, 2007 @ 23:32:33
I checked the Dara Joy website a few days ago and felt that something was amiss – then I went to Amazon and checked out the review of the new book. Or rather, the nonexistent book. I am terribly disappointed. I was a huge DJ fan, especially “High Energy” and “High Intensity.” I have known other people (artists) who misuse the medium of the Internet to bilk people, and generally, it’s because they are in dire straights. Could be the case here. If anyone has any updates, I’d be interested in being kept apprised.
Jul 17, 2007 @ 07:59:46
The book does exist. I did finally get mine after begging and threating more than a year later. But from the sounds of it others still did not. I also noticed that on Dara’s Web site under the Moat, there is no longer any mention of the lawsuit. There used to be an explaination of Dara’s side of the lawsuit. That is just recently that it is missing. Something must be going on there.
Jul 17, 2007 @ 09:44:54
Hi Brenda,
How perceptive of you…noticing the deletion of the lawsuit from her web site! Perhaps, “Dara Joy” is under a gag order since she has been giving to her readers inaccurate information all along…and the saga goes on.
Jul 20, 2007 @ 15:16:18
I hope that Dara is back to writing more novels again for a real publisher. As mad as I am at the way she has handled everything and treated her readers, I still want to read the rest of the Matrix of Destiny Series. I know I should boycott her books after all this but, I know I won’t be able to help myself if she has another book published by a legitimate publisher.
Aug 17, 2007 @ 17:08:37
Hi i had emailed dara many years ago when the first knight in a trillon stars came out that i had a dream and then wrote a story about Trayed. Except i spelt it differently. Traeyed. I like the story that i wrote for myself, but i have to admit that only some of the characteristics of her traeyed are similar to mine, in that yes rejar makes an appearance and traeyed is a cousin and there is another uncle, etc. i did get a slight response that said. that said good she would love to read it.. or course i have rewritting it several times, but what i basically told her about the story still remains true. if i ever do decide to publish and make it available i would send her a copy of it first. sad about all this other stuff going on though. i have written several children’s stories and hope to publish them, one story is on my website, under sassie emmilee & friends on link at top of my page.. take a look.
Oh and i did buy her first self-published book.. waited for a while for it then after my bugging cory i finally got it. but glanced through it and was greatly disappointed.. should have sold it on ebay at the time.
blessings
Aug 30, 2007 @ 05:55:37
hrmm. -_-; It makes me sad to think I’ll never get to finish the MOD series. All in All I think That Familiar Touch was ok, but Kirkpatrick’s Woods made me go “WTF…was this even written by her?” I didn’t have any problems getting That Familiar Touch, but when Wildcat Arrow came around, I had forgotten I ordered it, until about a year later I was cleaning my email and found the confirmation email. I seem to be one of the lucky ones though as I simply emailed and said I never got my book. I got a reply back that irked me some as it said “we sent your book” making me think they were trying to blow me off saying that they had sent it back then and it was my fault I never got it. I was still debating what to do next when it came in the mail. …so its like they wanted to cover there arse and pretend they had sent it a long time ago but the mail was just REALLY delayed. o-O Well, their childish attitude aside, at least I didn’t have to fight hard to get it. *shrugs*
Aug 31, 2007 @ 00:05:23
I was looking for information on DJ and was glad i found this and extremly disapointed about what happened with her last 2 books(the self published ones of course). And I thought that I might add a few authors that are fun to read. Angela Knight is very good and Sunny (just Sunny ) and Emma Holly is a great one also.
Sep 03, 2007 @ 17:00:58
I’m really sad that there may not be any more contemporary novels picking up where “High Energy” and “High Intensity” left off. DJ set up the last one for future development of some of the minor characters (Gregor and Mills), and I was chomping at the bit to read about them.
Sep 19, 2007 @ 20:40:59
I finally received Wildcat but never read it. And probably never will. It’s a shame that the fans are the real ones to suffer in this. I am very careful reading books now making sure there are no hooks that should be continued. We’ll never have the answers or stories we were looking forward to. I read Susan Sizemore, The Crimson City books, and just found Jacquelyn Frank, so I believe I moved on and away from her and her style of books and characters.
Sep 20, 2007 @ 08:16:21
Netta, I won’t give up on books that are in a series. I would think that most authors would have the scrupples to finish a series. There are many books that continue that I have loved to read such as “Harry Potter”, Diana Gabaldon’s “Outlander” series, Karen Moning’s “Highlander” and “Fever” Series, Sherrilyn Kenyon’s, “Dark Hunter” Series, and many others. Look at J. K. Rowling. She started without much money is now a multi-millionaire. She could have stopped her series after book 3 or 4 and lived off the profits of that. She not only finished her series, but got married and had two more kids while she was doing it. So I would think that most authors love their characters and readers enough to finish a series.
Sep 20, 2007 @ 11:26:41
I too would not give up on series books. I just love Nora Roberts and she always comes through!
Sep 27, 2007 @ 15:54:47
i think it is rude to submit stuff that has nothing what so ever to do with Dara Joy/Donna Lanier and her books. sheesh. disney channel get a clue.
I am very happy to note that i am progressing very well in three romance novels i am writing. its funny how all three want to be written at the same time. I am almost complete with a couple of young adult-teen, children’s books too that i would love to see published and read world wide.
I hope to put parts of each novel on my website soon. blessings. About sirens, banshees being cursed-falling in love, a princess that travels from island of warrior women to ireland and the culture shock there, and a single mom with nosy aunts trying to run her life, while trying to raise 5 kids, gets involved in neighborhood stuff (child abuse-elder abuse) while trying to date, handle her career and life.. hahaha.
Rhyanna
Sep 28, 2007 @ 10:08:20
Hello! Does anyone have any current information about Dara Joy or the lawsuit? Just wondering….
Sep 28, 2007 @ 10:15:49
HI Kathy, no sorry i don’t. and i am not sure where to look for it either.
have a great weekend.
blessings.
Rhyanna
Dec 14, 2007 @ 11:28:41
What I had heard was that Dara had asked for a record of her book sales from countries other than the united states. She got a set of records and questioned them believing them to be to low. She asked again and got a new set of records that were different but were for the same time frame. At this time she was wondering how come there were two sets of books. So she got legal help and they requested the records again and she received another set of books with new sale numbers. That makes 3 sets of books all with different dollar amounts. That is when she refused to submit new material until this was resolved. Personally what she should have done was submit the next 2 books, dropped them as her publisher, and contacted the IRS department to look into Dorchester on fraud of sales revenue. Dorchester claimed that they owned the rights to her matrix series. I have copies of these books and none of them have matrix series any where on them. Dorchester claims she can not write about these people in any other books. personally if I was a writer I would stay clear of Dorchester and go to a more reputable company.
Dec 18, 2007 @ 12:33:33
The more I hear the more I think this is a case of he said/she said. Dorchester must be doing something right as they continue to have new authors come into the fold and really don’t seem to be hurting by Dara not writing. Personally I think she got some bad advice some from folks who should have had her best interset at heart and then used poor judgement to try and resolve. The only people that were hurt were the fans who paid for the books and then had to jump through hoops to try and get what they paid for, personally I will not purchase anything further from her unless it comes from a legitimate publisher.
Dec 22, 2007 @ 20:32:15
I just found this website today when I was trying to find out what was going on with the website.I hadn’t been to the website in months and all I could find was that it was under construction. I’m with everyone else about the cover model. YUCK & CREEPY!!!!! I also can’t belive that she wrote Wildcat Arrows, it was bland, boring & not about him. If I had found this website earlier I would never bought it! I just ordered mine 5 or 6 months ago and I got it back in 3 weeks. I’m glad I was too broke to buy the first one. Any new info about the lawsuit? I loved her other books!
Dec 24, 2007 @ 22:37:10
For what it’s worth, I did not buy either self published book- the first I never heard about and it’s cost prohibitive even used. The second I went ahead and ordered used due to the more reasonable cost and lo and behold it actually came within the time frame. It is a bit of trash stylistically. In my opinion Dara Joy’s editor probably was responsible for the total siccess of her previous works. She had a good idea but the editor kept her in bounds and imposed a schedule. Too bad….
Jan 02, 2008 @ 02:54:27
Possible answers to why her books sound like she didn’t write them and this self-publishing fiasco for Wildcat.
First …drugs/alcohol. . Stress can make people do stupid things and she and Cory wouldn’t be the first to turn to alcohol or drugs to deal with the stress. That would explain her deterioration as a writer and why the book doesn't even have her voice, though I'm sure she wrote it. It also explains the inability to get the second book out the door. The money is going somewhere. A dedicated person might get a second or third job to pay for postage and the original print run. They would do everything in their power to fix this without excuses. But drugs/alcohol have a way of making people only deal with things that are immediately pressing without solving the basic original problem. They float away from the problem hoping life will be better when they get back. Of course its usually worse, and usually they don't care if it is. I'm sure someone with a psychiatry degree will know better the symptoms.
Second…. Mental illness. Again, I'm not a doctor, but most people know that certain mental conditions (depression/ manic or otherwise, bi-polar ect.) are exacerbated by stress and can cause a worsening of symptoms and the onset of others. I've heard that depression can incapacitate a person just as much as a heart attack can. .Some people can deal with stress, many can't. This doesn't explain Cory's behavor, unless he is rotten and taking advantage of her, or he's not old enough mentally to handle this problem as an adult.
Any thoughts?
Deb
Jan 09, 2008 @ 00:38:02
I am glad that I found this website. I was thinking about purchasing Dara Joy’s self-published books but I am now thinking it would be an unwise decision. I really enjoyed her early books and wish she would complete the series but life often has its disappointments. Thank you for the information.
Jan 13, 2008 @ 01:15:42
Hey people. I’m also glad I found this website… and truly sorry I won’t find out what’s next MOD series… it sounds like one of those stupid/serios legal quarrells… what to do? I guess I can but hope it would work out for her and for us.
Jan 31, 2008 @ 23:58:11
Hey. I thought the same thing, but one day my book DID show up in the mail. Totally unannounced
Feb 01, 2008 @ 05:52:30
I just recieved an email from the House of Sages and I am so angry I could just scream. I waited nearly two years for my copies of Wildcat Arrows. I ended up having to threaten legal action and yet they still sent me this email trying to sell another novella/short story and saying that all is healed with Dorchester. read on….
from qask89@prodigy.net (arrived 7.31pm Feb 1st 2008)
Dear Readers,
Wonderful news!!!
For those who haven’t heard, yes, Dorchester and I have reached a settlement agreement!!
I want to take this opportunity to thank the thousands upon thousands of readers who sent me their best wishes and letters of support. It was a long and difficult six and a half years and your kind words meant more than I can say. These letters often came on the days I needed them most and I will be forever grateful to all of you for that. It has always been a pleasure to write for you.
Although neither side can discuss the terms of the settlement, I am happily looking forward to bringing you the very best novels I can deliver. Get ready, the stories you have been waiting for will be coming your way soon! Within the next few months, I will have more great news for you concerning the release dates of my upcoming novels, which will be brought to you via traditional publishing channels.
To add to the celebration, I have an special Valentine for my readers. I know so many of you have been waiting really, really patiently for another Matrix story and I do not want you to have to wait any longer . . . so, as of today, I am immediately releasing a brand new Matrix of Destiny story called:
DEATH BY PLOOT PLOOT!
The story is available now for immediate delivery directly to your computer for $4.50.
(Yes, you read that right $4.50) There are no shipping charges. We will be doing this for a limited time only so if you want to receive your copy or would like more information, just go to
http://officialdarajoy.com/MarketPlace/marketplace.html
In keeping with the festive mood we are all feeling at OfficialDaraJoy.com, we have entirely renovated the website. We have new BBoards, a blog, chatroom, a marketplace- you name it. You are personally invited to stop by, check it out, and give us your suggestions and comments. I look forward to seeing you there!
And from the bottom of my heart, thank you again for all your prayers and hugs!
Love Always,
Dara
Feb 01, 2008 @ 11:06:17
Well at least she’s made up with the publisher and maybe finally Traed’s story will be told. I’m acutally kinda excited by all this. It also seems like she’s learned from her mistakes and instead of trying to print another book and send it out to us she’s going to an e-book format. I really loved her books and while I to had enormous trouble getting my copy of her self published book it won’t stop me from buying her book when she finally is published again by a real publisher. Now, if the first book out is as disappointing as some of her previous self published books have been then I’ll stop buying.. I’m hoping a real editor and a good publisher can give some good focus to her talent. Also, yes I’ll probably end up buying the e-book as well.
Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary » Blog Archive » Dara Joy Has Some Chutzpah; Says New Books Forthcoming
Feb 01, 2008 @ 11:59:37
[...] report her to the Attorney General. The full text of the mailing and posting can be seen in the comments and I republish a portion here for your benefit.  Dear [...]
Feb 01, 2008 @ 12:33:26
I must say I am quite excited. I did not receive an e-mail. Probably because they only have my old e-mail. Yes, I am a sucker and will probably buy the on-line book even though it may not be very good. I just can’t help myself.
Feb 01, 2008 @ 13:21:04
I didn’t get the e-mail either, but I did check out the website and it has been updated. I will not buy the e-book {mostly because I don’t like them}. I am looking forward to her return but only with a real publisher and editor. I hope she quickly comes out with Traed’s story and the poor familiar left in the garbage heap and is fully back to speed. It is likely that I will get them through the library first. The self published were just too disappointing to waste money on, especially after finding so many other talented and interesting writers (Marjorie Liu, Lynsay Sands, JR. Ward to name a few).
Feb 01, 2008 @ 17:51:59
I thought Gennita had cured me of checking out questionable things online. *g*
Ploot? ugh. Not quite as bad as Dan Savage’s definition of santorum. But close. Why in the name of all that is holy would she use that term in a title? lol. ::picturing hero’s asphixiation::
Even if she didn’t realize the term wasn’t completely made up, it’s not romantic in the least.
I’ve never read Ms. Joy’s work, and the floating weiner-dogs on her site, the one time I checked, were enough to make sure I never would.
Feb 02, 2008 @ 02:51:04
Dear all,
I bought Joy’s new novel this morning. The link was sent to me right after I submitted the payment with the Paypal account. I read a couple of lines, and it seems written by Joy for her style comes across immediately. When I was reading about the Matrix characters, I felt like I was finally reunited with long lost friends…I love this author even if she had made some mistakes in the past, but who doesn’t. Felicita
Feb 02, 2008 @ 17:15:40
HI i am glad that even a NOvella is coming out. HOwever, since i can’t download anything, i asked to have this sent to me in paper form. I even wrote that i don’t care if is just printed on regular printer paper, i just have problems downloading.
Either way, i went ahead and wrote my own version of Traed and Dijon (i think that was his name) stories. and in my stories, trayed is joined by Rejar which shocks Yaniff. For he forgot, the theory, when you save a life, you are honor bound to that person until the debt is repaid, besides Rejar prefers trayed to his brother Lorgin (remember Lorgin the older brother/straight guy.)..hehehe.
I will print these myself.
Blessings.
Rhyanna
Feb 03, 2008 @ 22:03:56
Dear all,
I finished reading Death by Ploot-Ploot a few minutes ago… I loved it. It is only 120 pages novella written with her unique style. Dara Joy has such a gifted imagination! The novella has a lot of funny moments and all of the most important characters of the Matrix of Time are there including Traed who is a mystery as he is a complex. The novella peaks the reader’s curiosity about this particular character, this Traed…definitely he will have his own book as Joy purposely leaves a question mark in the reader’s mind about Traed. My favorite character is Rejar, a bad boy, but I like him a lot, anyway. I am glad Dara Joy and her interesting characters are back. Felicita
Feb 04, 2008 @ 15:11:26
I got the email, too. Just now. Funny thing though none of the links work. I am sooo skeptical about buying this Novella though. I probably will anyway though. I just can’t wait until I can just go to my local bookstore and buy it myself. That way I know where my money is going and I get instant gratification, not to mention a physical book.
Feb 04, 2008 @ 15:14:35
well i went ahead and paid the money via paypal, that was two days ago, and i still have NOT recieved any link to get the book.
sigh..
I hope this is not a bust, waste of time or money.
Rhyanna
Feb 04, 2008 @ 16:44:49
I think it takes some time to get it. Apparently they hand code your name, address into the document itself so you can’t share it.
Feb 04, 2008 @ 17:21:03
Dear Rhyanna,
I had the same problem you have, but it was not Cory’s fault. This time: it was mine. I paid with my husband’s paypal account, and Cory sent the link to the person with the e-mail linked to the paypal account which the logical thing to do in this case. I logged in to my husband’s e-mail and the link was there. Prior to knowing what went on, I e-mailed to Cory about my problem, and he(assuming Cory is a he) answered me the same day I sent my complaint. Cory was courteous when he explained what he did right after he received my payment. Cory is in his best behavior, believe me. Something must have happened with the electronic address attached to your paypal account. E-mail Cory for he responds to you in a respectful manner and willing to help you in getting the link. Your problem with the link will be solved, Rhyanna…you’ll be reading a quite enterntaining novella. Best, Felicita
Feb 04, 2008 @ 17:41:14
Rhyanna:
Another thing I forgot to tell you… when you receive the link to the file, you are going to need a password in order to open the file. Cory will provide you with a password to the file. He is making sure the people who paid is the one who are going to have access to the novella. Other than the initial fussing with the link, the novella is good… I cannot wait for Traed’s story. Felicita
Feb 05, 2008 @ 09:02:46
Well, I just finished “Death by Ploot Ploot”. I really enjoyed this story. It seems the old Dara is back even though the title seemed goofy until I read the story. The title made sense then. I look foward to buying Dara’s books again. Hopefully we won’t see anything like “Wildcat Arrows” (shiver) again.
Feb 05, 2008 @ 13:09:51
Dear Brenda,
I totally agree with you…”Wildcat Arrows” is even disgusting just to look at its cover…I have it, but I have not read it and neither I intend to do it. “Death by Ploot Ploot” is a wonderful novella. Joy is definitely back, weeeeeeh!!!! Felicita
Feb 05, 2008 @ 16:08:09
HI Felicita, i finally got the email and the link. I downloaded the novella. It was too short in my estimation and they way she ended “Lorgins” story is not right, or did not feel right to me, as if she has no plans to include him in future novels.
AS for Traed changing the baby, she should have written a little bit more about that. Supposing that Traed did not call a maid to come assist.
It was not totally satisfying, but yes it is her “voice” yet if you check the security thinging on the adobe book, it says the author is Cory, not Dara. hmmm..
I would still like to see this in book form, perhaps, having Lilac adding a few holidays or where Aunt Agatha creates some mischief. And i would love to read more about Gian.
As for becoming a published writer myself, i can take heart and a few lessons. It will be ok for me to publish one or two books by POD, but make sure it is enjoyable to others besides myself. But i am searching for a literary agent and a publisher for the others i am writing, especially the romance and childrens novels that i am almost done writing.
Blessings and thanks Felicita
Rhyanna
Feb 05, 2008 @ 16:16:15
Rhyanna:
I suspect that the reason Cory is listed as author is because he formatted the story and the program is registered to him. That’s all it really means. :)
Feb 05, 2008 @ 19:26:17
Dear Rhyanna and Nonny,
Undeniably Dara Joy is a gifted writer; however… I tell you, she is as mysterious as her characters. I was very surprised by your remark about Cory listed as the author of this novel for even if Cory formatted it and the program is registered to Cory, the idea of the story did not come from him. Unless Cory and Dara Joy are the same person…and the plot thickens…unbelievable!
Felicita
Feb 06, 2008 @ 05:08:49
Reading this blog was oddly familiar. Although I only had to send him one email in the Spring of 2006, and was also told that he had already shipped it once, but would ship it again. I did end up receiving my book. It seemed plausible to me, since I’d moved around on campus and mail is very slow and often gets lost or misplaced. The book was a complete and utter let-down. The spelling and grammar mistakes were attrocious, the characters and plot were flat, and generally it neither sounded like Dara nor was it up to her usual standards.
I also received the email that was sent out a few days ago and promptly ordered the e-novella. I received it the next day, and after downloading the newest version of adobe acrobat reader I was able to read it. I must say, Dara Joy is back in all her glory. I was very happy with this novella, delivery was prompt, there were few spelling mistakes, if any, and the characters were as silly and interesting as always. I really wish I’d gotten to read the Matrix of Destiny story from That Familiar Touch, just for the sake of having read it, although from what I’ve heard it was pretty bad, but am unwilling to pay $50 for a book on amazon, that, by all accounts, is horrible.
There, those were my two cents on this topic. I really hope to see new books in a bookstore or through amazon soon. I agree, I will never buy another self-published book from her again, however, the e-books seem to be ok.
Feb 06, 2008 @ 12:46:44
Dear all,
This website contains important information on what the readers think about Dara Joy’s behavior in the past…has anyone sent the link to this website to Cory?
Feb 06, 2008 @ 21:39:17
Hi Felicita, yes i just did forward the link to him and to you at jane@dearauthor.com.
In the subject line it states, Dara’s fans voice their concerns.
Now lets see if we will get a reply.
blessings.
Rhyanna
Feb 07, 2008 @ 02:27:40
Dear Rhyanna,
I look forward reading what Dara Joy and/or Cory are going to say for I believe we all deserve a credible and sincere explanation (do not hold your breath on that) for her behavior…Joy could have been romancing her way to the bank if she would have fulfilled her commitment to her publisher.
I met Dean Koontz and have spoken to him, and he said to the group who met him that he had similar problems with his former publisher…of course, Koontz fulfilled his obligations with his publisher. Not only his former publisher had to pay him back millions in royalties withheld, then publishing house when caught “red handed” offered Koontz millions to stay, but Koontz out of principle rejected a very ($!!) lucrative offer to stay. We were all astonished by what Koontz revealed in that conversation. I describe Koontz as a strange mix of confidence and modesty when talking to people one-to-one. Felicita
Feb 07, 2008 @ 10:16:48
I had sent them a link to this or another simalar site(All Reader) quite a while ago. I forget which one now. The all reader site has not been updated since 2006. I got no response at all from Dara or Cory at that time. So I wouldn’t expect one now either. They must be aware of all the negativity but just chose to ignore it. Meanwhile I did enjoy the short story, though it should have been free just to get readers interested in her stories again. It is a short story. It is no novella. The large font is something children try to do when writing reports. I will buy her books again when she has one published just because her published books were wonderfull and I have to know what happens next. Some type of appolgy should have been given though.
Feb 07, 2008 @ 13:56:00
Brenda:
Right you are in all you say, dear Brenda. What I see is a writer desperate to make a quick buck for the lawsuit could drain the financial reserves of any gifted but beginning writer. Dara Joy’s behavior is typical of a junior writer who committed her first big mistake in her writing career…and yet she thinks readers are not going to notice all her manipulations and deceit…that’s very junior behavior indeed! Felicita
Feb 07, 2008 @ 14:35:31
I think some of the comments are a little harsh. Yeh! Last year and the year before SUCKED! But it seems like Dara is getting her act together. She has a new book that is good and I recieved without problems. I don’t know, however, how I will tell anyone that I’m currently reading “DEATH BY PLOOT PLOOT” with a straight face. :-) But hey, maybe that’s the point. Dara’s sence of humor is what I have always loved about her.
Deborah
Feb 07, 2008 @ 14:42:30
Deborah dear,
I love your conciliatory tone. Thanks, Felicira
Feb 07, 2008 @ 18:46:12
well i have to say, she needs to say something.
and a thought did occur to me, that perhapps she was trying to prove something to herself and Dorchester that she could still write and Sell books even as a self-published author.
However, i did get the wildcats, skimmed through and have not read it. It is sitting in a box or drawer somewhere (having just moved last month, i am not totally unpacked).
Either way i strongly feel that an explanation is required.
So if you are getting upset because we, her loyal fans, are asking for an explanation, even as simple as “i wanted to prove to myself that i could write and sell books, and/or i am sorry that my fans were inconvenience over this mess.” may go a long way to sooth some of her fans.
Now to recapture those fans she has lost due to this, it will take some doing, more than just a Short Story, in my opinion.
And that is my opinion.
Still though no reply from Cory and/or Dara about checking out this website where her fans have posted their concerns, not only over her writing, but her well-being as well.
Blessings.
Rhyanna
Feb 07, 2008 @ 21:42:32
Even though I have heard good comments about the e-book and I am glad that Dara is getting back to writing, if she really wanted to thank the fans then she would have sent everyone who ordered her self published books a free copy of the e-book rather than charge (imo). At one point some fans tried to post their complaints on her website and they were never allowed, the only comments that made the board were the ones in support of her, so as much as I would like to see a comment from them I won’t be holding my breathe.
Evelyn
Feb 08, 2008 @ 01:47:48
Dear Evelyn and Rhyanna,
I really like your comments because you both are honestly stating the reality of Dara Joy’s situation, and of course you are right in your candid assessment of her behavior and requesting some sort of explanation…why sugar coat and rationalize a behavior that has been right down self serving and duplicitous. I like Dara Joy’s writing, and I am glad that she is back, but that does not erase the question in most of her reader’s mind: will she do it to us again? I am thinking she have learned an expensive lesson, but who knows, for the way she ignores legitimate complains from her loyal readers that does not look to be neither a smart not a sincere move to me…let alone Joy is not even concerned about her reputation as a writer in the eyes of her own readers who have supported her even knowing Joy has been wrong all this time. Apparently, we do not deserve an explanation…there is something unsettling about that. Felicita
Feb 08, 2008 @ 08:44:09
If Dara Joy had a legitimate reason for what has happened she would have already given it on her website (besides the half baked stuff we got from Cory and her when we didn't get Wildcat Arrows. And I don't believe she should post negative reader comments on her website. Her website, or all author websites for that matter, are promotional tools used to encourage readers to buy their books and spread their name. I don't think any serious author would publish a negative comment on their website, but you are welcome to give me the name of one who is crazy enough to do that. She could post an apology on her website, but would that have the same effect of discouraging sales? Is she thinking that readers will look at that and say, “I wonder if I will get my book if I order it here?†Would any restaurant post an apology on the front door if some people had found cockroaches in their meal? No. That would discourage people who didn't know about the past cockroach problem not to dine there. Maybe she is thinking along this path. If she is, I don't think it is a wise course of action. I do think a public apology is warranted and would bring only good will to her readers, old and new. It shows that she is willing to stand up and be an honorable adult concerning past problems and work to resolve and rebuild her tattered reputation. But think on this…. What explanation could Dara possibly give that would sooth her readers? What apology could she offer that would make everything all right? I’ve heard that if you have a complaint at a store or other business, you should tell them exactly what remedy you want. Would an “I’m really sorry, I acted like a jerk and I was stupid and/or greedy and I have learned my lesson and will not do it again?” type of apology work? Is that what we need? Would a free short story to everyone who didn’t get Wildcat Arrows promptly (assuming she has a list) make everyone happy?
Deborah
Feb 08, 2008 @ 10:44:15
I think maybe just posting a free short story would have made people feel better about her. I can understand her reason for not posting any negativity on her website. Negativity would discorage new readers on her website, though I would have liked an apology. But then again we don’t know all of the details of her lawsuit. Maybe it really put her into debt and she needs money very badly. Maybe that’s why she is charging for a short story. Now I’m just waiting for her next published book. I hope it is as good as her previous books.
Feb 08, 2008 @ 12:20:33
Dear Brenda,
Another reality of life: Dara Joy must have been under a gag order which she violated the minute she went and revealed to her readers she had been taken to court by her publisher. I remembered when hearing from Dean Koontz himself about his legal problems with his publisher that he talked to the public about that issue after his legal problems were solved.
Dara Joy has gone the opposite way I normally see people going about this type of problem. Thus, I am not surprised by the long term complications such decision brought her. Now, that her legal problems are apparently “solved” Dara Joy says she has been told not talk about them?!
On the other hand, it would have been a good business strategy to give her readers an apology and the short story free as a gesture of goodwill. In the long run she would have made way more money for she has an established loyal readers who have been waiting for her to back. I am exited that Dara Joy is back because she deserves to be back, and she has that right to be back.
I wonder who is advising Dara Joy about marketing strategies…I would fire him/her because that person has demonstrated to have no common sense, by the mess created with the whole situation. Dara Joy might as well do the marketing herself for whomever is doing it for her is making her look greedy and naive, to put it mildly, by expecting her publisher and her readers would not notice her schemes.
Feb 11, 2008 @ 17:13:32
Giving readers the “explanation” they deserve may not be so simple. You can’t know what happened behind the scenes. I know a musician, broke away from a label, self-printed his c.d. He trusted the wrong fulfillment company — they essentially dropped all of the *paid for* c.d.’s someplace, didn’t mail them, the musician was out of $$ and had to pay out of pocket to reprint and resend everything. People like Dara Joy, who don’t have the backing of a publisher, are more likely than not to experience these kinds of scenarios. I like to give everyone the benefit of the doubt, and I suspect that she encountered something similar in the fulfillment end.
Feb 11, 2008 @ 19:24:55
Dear Lisa,
Yes, your theory is as good as any of the others we’ve been discussing, and perhaps that might have been what really happened to Joy…we’ll never know that one. I still believe she was ill advised on not fulfilling her commitments with her publishing house…that action opened Pandora’s Box for Joy.
Coming Out of the Closet | Dear Author: Romance Book Reviews, Author Interviews, and Commentary
Feb 26, 2008 @ 04:01:18
[...] Some reader/blogger/reviewers, including some of my fellow bloggers here on Dear Author, have called out some authors for behaving badly. And some authors have called out reader/blogger/reviewers for being mean girls. Recently, Janet [...]
Apr 05, 2008 @ 23:22:01
O fer Goddesses Sake – I’m sure all complainers above have spent more on a dress/shoes, either worn once or never! Big business vs talent! Hah – guess who suffers?!
Frankly ma dears…nada simp from here (Arctic Canada)… where small population REALLY opens eyes to what happens in bizniz. But Hey! Carry on All (phht)
Jun 19, 2008 @ 02:47:42
I have to say I am an optimist. I was about 17 when I found her. I read every book she had. Then I didn't see her forever. I was just surfing the net one day when I found her web sit. It was the last day to be able to buy “That Familiar Touchâ€. I quickly ordered it, even though it meant I was going to be eating spaghetti for a week. And I waited. And waited. And Waited. Finally after 9 months I got the book I was kinda disappointed. It had her feel to the story, but lacked a lot (I do mean a lot) of polish that was really needed. Why couldn't she hire a private editor? Heck a college student majoring in English would have been something.
Oh well. So I continue to wait for the lawsuit to be finished and the next book to come out. I finally saw “Wildcat Arrows†and ordered 2 copies, one for me and one for a friend. And settled in for a wait. A year passed. And I tried to contact Cory. Many times. Finally got the email about “a death in the familyâ€, in April and was told he was shipping it out. Around mid June I email again. And again and again. Finally I told him (at my mother's advice) that I was going to contact the attorney general and the better business bureau. In mid July, after 18 months, I finally got my books. OMG! I sat down right away to read it and I couldn't believe how bad it was. I couldn't decide if the story was worse than the cover or the other way around.
I knew I wouldn't be wasting my money on any more of this crap. I refuse to spend my hard earned money on books that are inferior and an author who has no qualms about treating her fans like this. I do love her books, prior to self publishing, that is. My mother even bought me the new e-book for my B-day. I didn't let her know how disappointed I was. I will be honest. It is a masterpiece compared to Wildcat, but not up to par with her previous books. Because I do like them and I want to know what will happen I will buy her books, but never new. I refuse to give her any profits for these books. I will buy them used or not at all. I feel greatly mistreated by an author I once considered one of the best.
Jun 27, 2008 @ 14:21:00
Has anybody heard anything from Dara? I would have thought that she would have had a book ready to be edited and published while she was waiting for the lawsuit to be over. It was Jan or Feb when she said she could publish her books again. There is nothing new on her web site since the short story was released.
Jun 27, 2008 @ 17:19:12
Hi Brenda, no nothing except a few emails saying she will host a chat session on her website, which i have never attended.
I am getting quite discouraged about this whole mess and will be taking a long time, thinking hard before I buy another book. the e-book Death by Ploot, Ploot was a disappointment for me, not to mention expensive.
since I can never hold a paper/hard copy in my hands.
So has anyone else heard anything?
Rhyanna
Jul 04, 2008 @ 17:19:11
Her web site is a lost cause.
But I was looking something up about her books on fantastic fiction and saw a new one out September 2008. Unfortunately it is in an anthology with Nina Bangs and Sandra Hill. Could even be a re print of an earlier short story as there is no information about it. It is just called “This Years Christmas Present.”
Jul 04, 2008 @ 19:21:26
I agree with Barbara about the website, there is no information on it except to push the e-book which I won’t get because I stare at a computer all day and can’t stand to read a book on a screen.
I looked on Amazon and found the lsting of This Year’s Christmas Present. It is a Love Spell Contemporary Romance anthology with Nina Bangs and Sandra Hill. It will cost $4.99 when released. There’s no other information on it.
By the way, Thank you Barbara! for the fantastic fiction website. It is (as the name says)fantastic!
Jul 04, 2008 @ 19:29:39
Hi Annetta, Barbara. Well i found a german site, abe’s books, offering a supposedly used book. However, after translating it, it says in english after the german—so no news. I am wondering if she is still resistant in having a book published with Dorchester and is just doing what she can until she finds another publisher.
Has anyone else heard bad things about Dorchester Publishing?
Blessings.
Rhyanna
Dies ist ein Besorgungstitel, er ist ca. 1-2 Wochen nach der Bestellung versandfertig. / This is an “obtain title”, ready for dispatch in about 1-2 weeks after receipt of order Versandsichere Verpackung! Inkl. MwSt-Nachweis.; Titel:This Year’s Christmas Present; Autoren: Sandra Hill, Nina Bangs, Dara Joy; Verlag: LOVESPELL BOOKS. Bookseller Inventory # 7619078-16810349
This is a provision title, it is approx. 1-2 weeks after the order ready for dispatch. / This is on “obtainâ€, ready for dispatch in about 1-2 weeks after receipt OF order dispatch-safe packing! Inclusive one VAT proof. ; Title: This Year’s Christmas Present; Authors: Sandra Hill, Nina Bangs, Dara Joy; Publishing house: LOVESPELL BOOKS. Bookseller Inventory # 7619078-16810349
Jul 08, 2008 @ 14:21:51
This seems a little strange to me since another author in that group has switched from Dorchester Publishing. I’m wondering if this is going to be a rerelease of older stories. I hope not. This book is not listed on any of the authors’ personal web sites.
Jul 09, 2008 @ 15:01:00
HI Brenda who else is leaving Dorchester? THe reason I ask is that I want to make sure to check things out before i submit my manuscript “THE WITCH OF HIS DREAMS” to Dorchester.
Thanks.
Rhyanna
Jul 11, 2008 @ 10:15:59
I think Sandra Hill has left Dorchester. It appears that she fullfilled her contract obligations first like other authors have done. So I would never think of putting her in the same catagory as Dara. As far as the way she treats her fans, she has two free novellas on her website, which is what Dara should have done with “Death by Ploot Ploot” rather than charging so much money for a short story. I love Sandra’s stories also.
Jul 12, 2008 @ 02:44:46
I agree Brenda, Dara Joy has handled this whole thing atrociously and is still doing so by giving readers nothing except a weird blog page where they post strange pictures of animals.
But I liked her books and I have an inkling of hope for a Mills & Gregor story now….yep, I’m obsessive, umm, how long ago was High Energy published?
Anyway I’m leaning towards that book out in September to be a re print of Santa Reads Christmas or something.
NP btw, Annette. Fantastic Fiction is a great info site on all authors and books, I really like it.
Jul 17, 2008 @ 12:01:14
I just found the list of stories in “This Year’s Christmas Present” on buydotcom and sure enough Dara’s contribution is a “Santa Reads Romance”, which is an old story that was in “The Night Before Christmas”. Too bad! As much as Dara has behaved badly, I still want to be able to read a new published story from her.
Jul 17, 2008 @ 18:16:27
Thanks for the update Brenda.
I cannot imagine what she (Dara of course) is waiting for. You would think that all the time she was waiting for the suit to settle she would have been writing, but I guess not. Oh, well, we waited this long for something new, what’s a little more wait.
Jul 17, 2008 @ 21:15:06
HI I wonder if the reason Dara hasn’t posted anything specific about an upcoming novel to be released is because she is finding it difficult for another publishing company to take her on, especially since this fiasco with Dorchester, allegedly frauding fans, etc.
If Cory is her manager, I personally would FIRE HIM. If he is more to her than that, still, I would not allow him to make personal-career moves/decisions for me.
So on the comments to dump Cory, I would have to agree.
Jul 27, 2008 @ 12:32:33
It was Dara's deeply imaginative writing that inspired me to get my own work published, so I am heartbroken over this mess.
It took nine months and some of the most ridiculous excuses I have ever heard, before I finally received her first self published book. In my opinion ‘That Familiar Touch' was just a vague reflection of Dara's former outstanding writing. The end was not even worthy of comment, except to say, perhaps Ms. Joy has acquired a ghost writing partner.
The second self published book was not memorable in the least. I couldn't even finish it and I would sell the rights to my own manuscript, before believing for a second that she wrote that book.
I didn't even bother with ‘Death by Ploot Ploot'
Jul 27, 2008 @ 14:42:31
I quite agree with Amy. I loved her first, well-imagined books and decided to continue getting her books when she started self-publishing. “That Familiar Touch” was downright amateurish in writing, spelling, punctuation. As a former teacher, I wanted to correct at least 10 things–it seemed–on every page. And the short story “In Kirkpatrick’s Wood”–can’t she even spell forest (instead of “forrest”)? She certainly needs a knowledgeable editor and proofreader
(This is probably not correctly punctuated either. (grin))
It took me over a year to finally get Wildcat Arrows. I also threatened dire consequences after forking over my hard-earned money and cutting down on food in order to pay the exorbitant shipping price. By that time I was so fed up, I’ve hardly bothered to look at the book, never mind read it.
BTW, High Energy came out in 1996, High Intensity in 2000.
Jul 27, 2008 @ 15:00:29
As for getting a free short story: it would definitely have to be polished up more than her past two self-published books. It was a real pain for me to read them. And once reading an author’s books becomes a “mental” pain, I’d rather not read anything further by that author.
On the Moral Status of Snarky Reviews « Racy Romance Reviews
Sep 08, 2008 @ 18:31:26
[...] and secondarily on the relationship of the book to the author. somce discussion fo that here and here. [...]
Aug 26, 2009 @ 04:23:20
So many people saying they where left in limbo about Rejar… ppl he has his own book… it’s called.. wait for it… ‘Rejar’. I know shocking right? Alrighty so the last book i got from Dara Joy was call Ritual of proof :-P i’ve been busy the last few years with the kenyon series. So yesterday i looked for a Dara Joy site and come upon her official site… which let me tell you i just taught my five year old nephew how to build a web site from scratch that blows that tacky slow site out of the water and i believe he centered it around come chartoon called bakulgun or some such…. I’m ranting but it’s so true. So I hit up the library and her new book covers look like world of warcraft’s redheaded stepchildren gone horribly wrong. So i decide to wait before ordering anything and checking out whats up. I google and find this site and am very glad i waited from the stories i’m hearing here. 1 i’m not a patient person 2.. i’d find this cory guy if it was the last thing i did. But what I don’t understand is why others did not take a moment out and do alittle research as well on what they decided to foist cash out for. Don’t get me wrong I feel for you and what is happening is terribly wrong. I guess I just wanted to get my thought out of my head :-D I however do so wish there had been a River book… and if there is and it’s not one of these terrible self published books then someone please do feel free to wack-a-mole me with the title :-P
Much Love,
Shay
Aug 26, 2009 @ 08:54:02
Hi Shay,
I agree with you about the irregularities of Dara Joy self-publishing business. Her first books were excellent including Ritual of Proof, her last novel published with Dorchester publishing house…ever since that long and dragged litigation with her former publishing house Dara Joy excellent writing has never been the same. I read Death by Ploot-Ploot, and I liked it a lot for the short novel clearly reflects her unique voice as a writer; however, I am so sick of dealing the wierdiness of her webmaster who seems to be her marketing manager, public relations manager and chatroom moderator…his is everything, aparently. I have yet to go to her website, by the way, what was the result of your research on Cory? Please, do share with us what you learn from a legitimate research about him. Thanks, Felicita
Aug 26, 2009 @ 13:30:55
Since I don’t know anything about authors and their rights I wonder about a couple of things:
1) Will Dara ever be published by an actual publisher again or did she burn the bridges and buildings with her suit? (I bought the last book and thought it ho-hum, couldn’t get into it, I don’t do e-books yet and I can’t afford the self publishing route she is taking)
2) Does she still have the right to write her Matrix books or does Dorchester own the rights to those names and characters? If she can’t write about Rejar and Traed then I’m afraid she has lost at least one reader.
Aug 26, 2009 @ 14:09:47
Unless we can get a copy of the court order, there is no way to know if she can ‘ever’ publish with a publisher again. I agree about Cory, what is he to her? Why did she put him in charge?
I bought an ebook and it was short–like her voice—but too short in my opinion.
I too can’t afford to take the self-publishing route. I have sent queries to Dorchester and I think they are now being extra careful, because mine were rejected. I’ll rework the manuscripts i sent them, and see if they’ll be interested again. For Dorchester use to be easy to get published through, no more.
I’ll also query agents and other publishers accepting, but I have to do it through email as I lack the cash to send snail mail.
Good luck with yours Annette.
Aug 26, 2009 @ 14:20:39
I do know that Some records are open to the public if they live in the area of the Court that made the decision. Therefore, that the person can go DOWN to the courthouse and perhaps for a small fee, review the court order/decision.
Any takers? I can’t as I live in Oregon.
Aug 26, 2009 @ 14:44:14
I was very surprised to get another comment on this old topic–not that ever posted anything before. But I was caught by her too. I very much enjoyed the first books that she published under a regular publisher. Even RITUAL OF PROOF wasn’t too bad. But the self-published ones were true disaster. I finally got “Wildcat Arrows” after vowing to do “bodily harm,” sort of. But by then I was so disgusted that I never did read it. The only reason I decided to get it at all was l that I wanted to get a complete set of her books–good or bad.
The writing of the last two I have was more than childish: erratic punctuation, unfinished sentences, gross mistakes in spelling, e.g., forrest instead of forest.
I saw her at a conference once. She tried to appear as a mystery woman, wearing flowing long (?) dress and hats with veils. She was highly perfumed, etc. All in all she seemed the height of eccentricity.
I see she has a new book out. But I’ll certainly never buy another one.
Aug 26, 2009 @ 15:46:29
I agree that the last few were bad, Death by Ploot, Ploot was in her old style. I just wish it was in paperback form instead of ebook and pdf format at that.
I too had ordered wildcat arrows but never read it. Now no clue where it is…hehehehe.
Not going to look for it right now though.
Sep 15, 2009 @ 21:37:56
I read her last book, Taste of the Devil, a pirate book. I ordered the print version. I received it okay about three weeks after they started shipping.
I liked the book. Hero was sexy. It did have some punctuation problems, but did not detract from the story for me (not an English major and don’t care). She missed an opportunity to add to the scary tension by not working in a scene or two that showed the heroine was afraid or even aware that she was in danger, but since it’s her story, not mine, that’s fine. It did not detract from the story she did write.
Personal preference…. I like a little fear in my heroine mixed with the danger.
The only real problem with the book was the ending after the romance was resolved. Too abrupt. She told…. when she should have showed, of a major shift in the attitude and values of the heroine. If she had added an epilogue a few years in the future I would have been more satisfied with it. I don’t want to go into detail with spoilers.
Since she set up a second, even sexier tragic character, she could be setting up a sequel.
I’ll keep this one.
Sep 15, 2009 @ 23:46:49
HI Deborah. I wasn’t aware that it was released in paperback form.
I’ll have to look for it then, hopefully its available at store.
thanks for the review…so does that mean you may purchase this new one
“Cat Scratched?”
Rhyanna
Sep 15, 2009 @ 23:55:04
Still I wonder if she is allowed to write about Traeyed….
or other earlier matrix characters such as Dariq, Sula…etc.
Does Anyone know? have a clue what the terms of her settlement
with Dorchester is on this?
Curiuos minds wants to know.
hehehehe.
have a great night
Sep 16, 2009 @ 03:09:45
She desperately needs a publisher if only to help her with titles for her books.
“Cat Scratched”………That’s terrible.
Sep 16, 2009 @ 10:44:05
HI Barbara:
I Hope she gets one soon. I would love to ‘hold’ books in my hands to read again.
I also agree the Title Cat Scratched is raw and awful…
I wonder if it was really Cory who came up with that title.
Blessings.
Rhyanna
Oct 03, 2009 @ 20:53:58
Hi – I ordered Taste of the Devil in March and have never received it – I have emailed her four times and asked why i have not gotten my book. Can anyone help me with some hints on how to get my book. Thanks
Oct 03, 2009 @ 23:29:44
Hi Shannon, easy tell him that you will be contacting the State Attorney General’s office as well as paypal, if that is the way you paid, to report them unless you get your book in two days or so. Otherwise file a complaint with your bank/credit card.
Then if no reply do it.
Oct 04, 2009 @ 18:14:16
What a down low shame!!!…It is the second time I hear loyal readers of Tara Joy complaining about not receiving the novel they’ve purchased in good faith. Every other week I am receiving e-mail messages from Cory about this and that, but I do not answer them, and what is more I resist the temptation to buy anything from him on behalf of Dara Joy. It is a shame that an author who could have had an excellent career as a writer has been ruined by bad business management and greed. Once the an author losses the confidence of the readers, it is over for the writer. I would only buy a book from Dara Joy if I see it at Borders or any other reputable publishing house…never again from her so call “self publishing business”…never again is reinforced by what Shannon said on her post of October 3, 2009. You have my sympathy, Shannon, for it is truly annoying to be taken for a ride. It took me one year to get the book I purchased from DJ self publishing scheme, and when I finally received after multiple e-mails and proof of purchases sent, I decided not to read it for I was disgusted with Dara Joy and her manager. I got the impression that Dara Joy is “blacklisted” with the other reputable publishing houses, so seeing another book of hers on Barnes & Nobles or any bookstore of the like, I do not think is going to happen…that is shame for I really like her as an author. I do not believe she is very bright in terms of business dealings for she has dug herself right into a hole with the help of her Cory.
Oct 28, 2009 @ 13:21:41
I’m sorry to hear that people still aren’t receiving books they ordered from Dara Joy. I was tempted to order that last one but wanted to see if people were getting their books. I guess they are not again. It is really a shame because the published books were wonderful. I guess we will never know the end of any of her stories. That is too bad.
Oct 28, 2009 @ 14:41:29
The sad fact is that according to the US Copyright, No one can publish a story, written as fan fiction, without the author’s written permission.
So I feel that you may be correct that the story of Traeyed, Dariq and others will never be told.
Rhyanna
Nov 08, 2009 @ 18:46:09
I was truly hoping that all her physical, fiscal and publihing woes were over. There are other books, especially for Traed and River, that I would really like to read. I would really like to know more about her Ritual of Proof universe.
Vi
Dec 27, 2009 @ 04:15:16
Hmm. After being the sole member of the clean-up crew for a formerly-signed “author” who made the foray into self-publishing after being dropped, I can guess happened with respect to Ms. Joy, give or take a few details. The “author” I worked with took pre-orders before the book was printed and spent the pre-order money to cover his own personal expenses, leaving no cash in the coffers to actually have it, um … published.
There was a second problem: the book hadn’t even been written. Even bigger “oops.”
So I had the once-in-a-lifetime experience of ghostwriting the sucker (350 pages of sci-fi/futuristic drama — not the type of client I’d usually accept) in a harrowing three weeks. Author finally sucked it up, paid for the publishing and sent the hard copies out (free of charge) to the those who pre-ordered. However, it took PayPal and the state’s AG’s office breathing down his back to get him to make right.
I suspect that a lot of writers who self-publish lack the business savvy to do a serious cost analysis beforehand to figure out if this is something they should be undertaking (or if they can even afford the up-front costs to create a quality product). Taking pre-paid orders for a book that hasn’t rolled off the press is shady, especially if you have someone at the helm who cannot manage his or her financial affairs. I’ll put good money that a markedly similar scenario drove the whole DJ fiasco. As much as I would love, out of simple curiosity and former admiration for some of her writing, to read some of her newer ebooks, I am bound by conscience not to enable bad behavior.
On a final note: I never got paid by above writer. Whenever I read an online review of “his” novel (it gets really good reviews, BTW), I have to bite my lip a little. The people who bought the book wanted to read his words, not mine with his name slapped on the cover. So did they really get what they paid for — ? The comments that I’ve read regarding Ms. Joy’s recent stabs at self-publishing seem to indicate that she once possibly had a brilliant, creative editor who was heavy-handed with the red ink. Again? Hmm …
Dara Joy Saga
Mar 25, 2010 @ 09:18:29
[...] The next one was The Amazing Tales Of WildCat Arrows, the worse book I have ever had the misfortune to own. I could not get through it, but skimmed a bit to see if it would get better, didn’t. It was also marketed all wrong as the main character wasn’t Wildcat Arrows. Not only was it a terrible book but she went through a lot of drama getting it out to people ordering it. Many never received it, as reported on Dear Author. [...]
A Tiny Book Haul « Me and My Books
Jun 05, 2010 @ 11:58:05
[...] books – I haven't seen this mentioned anywhere, but does this mean the long-running battle between Dorchester and Ms Joy has been resolved? Or has Dorchester just decided that it's going to cash in on the current [...]
Review: Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy | SisterGoldenBlog
Jun 05, 2010 @ 17:48:15
[...] had never heard of Dara Joy, at least before the lawsuit with Dorchester and subsequent kerfluffle with fans allegedly not receiving books Ms Joy had [...]
Feb 28, 2011 @ 19:36:44
I've really enjoyed browsing your blog posts,I’ve learned a lot from your blog here,Keep on going,my friend.
May 07, 2011 @ 23:07:31
I had the misfortune of ordering Cat Scratched/Death By Ploot Ploot a year ago and have yet to rec’v it. I’ve sent 3 emails to Dara/Cory and haven’t had a response. I’ll never order this way again and even if Dara gets with a publishing house I’m done with her. This had left a very bad taste in my mouth. What’s being done now is taking advantage of your fans and holding the money in a account and drawing interest off of it. Very sad.
Jun 02, 2011 @ 16:42:14
We just purchased a book and did not receive it. wished I had blogged first. Does anyone know where she is currently?/
Jun 02, 2011 @ 17:27:36
I ordered The Amazing Tales and after a number of e-mails and threats I finally got the book but really couldn’t read it, then like a fool I ordered Cat Scratched/Death by Ploot Ploot and the last e-mail said I would get it in April … uh it’s now June. That was my very last buy even if she does get published by a legitimate publisher.
Jun 02, 2011 @ 17:56:59
I understand the frustration and if try to buy from someone else online the prices are outrageously high, talk about scalping, sheesh.
Jun 02, 2011 @ 19:00:32
@J: I get regular emails spamming me for her latest ebook release from this email qask89@prodigy.net. I don’t know what to tell you other than to contact the Better Business Bureau.
Actually, I forgot I had this post. This might help you: http://dearauthor.com/how-to-get-your-dara-joy-book-the-elizabeth-way/
Jun 06, 2011 @ 22:44:02
Thanks for the advice. From the posts I read in the pass, I also took a agressive stand with Cory and I was refunded my money within 3 days without a year’s interest from Paypal and was charged a few of a $1.50. I did report Dara to the Better Business Bureau and I informed Paypal that Dara Joy’s website were still taking orders. When I rec’vd a email from Cory he said that the books wouldn’t be shipping now until July. How sad that one of my favortite authors became a scam artist. Poor Cory takes her heat unless this is Dara’s alias. I can’t see her wanting to share any of the money with anyone. LOL! Love her books. But not interested in following her career from this point on.
Jun 07, 2011 @ 12:35:31
HI Adaiah
I thought I read somewhere that Cory is running the show, that Dara is there somewhere, letting him manage her, which is the worst decision, or one of the worst decisions I think that she made, to give control like that to someone else and still not taking it back after all the complaints, unless he’s hiding them from her.
Now on the flip side, I searched the web and discovered because of this, people are gouging prices for copies of her books. Like the other day $35 for one of her books. This was on ebay as well as Amazon and others. Sheesh.
Jun 07, 2011 @ 16:37:35
I will send off another e-mail to Cory and see what he says. I know that if and when I get this book … it will be the last I buy from her. I’m sorry that she has had a rough time of it with the suit and all but there are too many writers out there who care about their readers to put up with one who doesn’t!
Jun 07, 2011 @ 16:58:18
HI Annetta
Have you tried to do a websearch to see if you can get the book other than on Dora’s website?
I know Amazon, and ebay have a lot of listings, saw some on Barnes n Noble website as well.
I haven’t dug out mine yet, although there are some I don’t have, I’ll wait. Sadly though not even the library has it.
Rhyanna
Jun 07, 2011 @ 22:50:19
I gave up on Dara Joy after I finally–more than a year after paying for it–got my copy of the Wildcat Arrows book.
After reading her previous book–also self-published–I’d already decided not to spend my few book$$ on any more of her work. I think her publishers are the ones who “made” her. These self-published books are a mishmash of bad vocabulary, bad spelling and worse grammar. At first I thought I’d collect her books anyway, but they were getting to be just too hard to get and too awful to read. A real pity, because I loved her first couple of books: they were fresh and different.
I also saw her at a Romantic Times conference. She was the most noticeable person there, always wearing a glitzy, veiled hat. She looked more like a gypsy fortune-teller than an author.
Jul 10, 2011 @ 10:22:16
Damn. That’s what I get for not doing my homework before I buy.
I just purchased, not two hours ago, the 15 e-books.
Do they have the same problems with e-books that they do with normal books?
I thought that by now they’d have themselves sorted.
I guess things don’t always work the way we want them to…….
On the website it says give them 72 hours.
I will wait my 3 days and if I don’t recieve my e-books, I will tell paypal to return my money.
It’s a shame because I really like her books.
I have learnt my lesson though, no buying
books online without doing your homework first.
Hmmm, about Traed, I won’t be too disappointed if he remains unattached ;)
Jul 10, 2011 @ 14:35:18
Hi. I would be emailing them tonight or in the morning to see if your ebooks are on track to being downloaded by you. What was the amount you were charged?
Since the dorchester mess, and after publishing a book in book form, including getting that book, it has been hard getting books from her. I’ll be checking online for other avons to purchase copies of her printed books.
As for Traed, I wrote his story long ago in my head. lol. That got me into writing my own stories, go figure :)
Its Sunday, oh its going to be hot.
Jul 10, 2011 @ 18:20:44
I think this will probably be my last comment here. I still haven’t read Wildcat Arrow book. The one before that was so horrible in every way. Unfortunately, I didn’t read it before putting out my money for WA or I wouldn’t have ordered it. I enjoyed, more or less, the ones she wrote before she had problems, whatever they were, with her publishers. So anyone who buys the first bunch should at least like those, and if it’s her publishers putting them out, you should get those.
Jul 10, 2011 @ 18:40:53
For Luck in W…is that Washington or Wisconsin? Just curiuos. I use to live in Washington, I’m in Oregon now.
I’ve done a search for her earlier matrix series and of course people are charging out rageous prices especially for used books, as if she’s died or something. I don’t know that either, I was just surmising, I guess because of the problems between her and dorchester, perhaps she felt going via ebook is the only avenue opened to her. I am not in NY so therefore, I can’t go look at the case, otherwise it costs money to get a copy.
Now I am wondering though if enough people requested, whether or not, Dorchester would republish those first ones, for then I would buy it. I did buy wildcat arrows, I could NOT get into it. Its sitting in a drawer or box somewhere.
I sure hope she reads the comments and maybe make the changes that are needed to get back on track. I also have her ebook Death by Ploot, Ploot. Its in Pdf format, need a password to open it and on each page is your name. Anyhow, I found the story very UNSATISFYINGLY short, I felt she could have done it better. Therefore, it makes me wonder if she is still writing her own stories, or someone else is writing them. Either way. I don’t buy ebooks, although I have a few, I think about 3. One is for class.
The other I downloaded from my local library that I wanted to read, have time limit on that, but oh well. I hope that you get your ebooks.
Good luck to you W.
Blessings.
RHyanna
Jul 10, 2011 @ 19:20:25
Just a FYI I saw Dara Joy books at Walmart recently … guess the publishers wanted to make a little on her while they can. Still haven’t gotten the book I ordered that was suppose to be mailed out in April or was it June. Guess I may as well write that off to never again try to support a “wronged” author.
Jul 10, 2011 @ 19:38:01
Hi Annette
I checked the walmart website, nothing there. A drive to walmart means about a 30 minute drive one way. Walmart is suppose to be buiding one in Albany OR…in the meantime its either Salem or Eugene OR or over to Lebanon OR.
Contact Dara again and then if no response, file a complaint with your state attny general’s office. Mention that in the email to Dara or Cory who seems to be managing things.
I would love to know what titles your walmart had.
Blessings.
Rhyanna
Jul 10, 2011 @ 19:44:28
Actually, it’s neither. In a way it’s a play on a name, but if anything, it would be Winnipeg, where I spent my “formative” years. I’ve been to Wisconsin and Washington–D.C. and state–and I have relatives in Oregon, as well as WA state. Cheers, Rhyanna.
Jul 10, 2011 @ 23:04:28
Luck in W
Hi thanks for letting me know. Good luck on getting the books.
Rhyanna
Jul 11, 2011 @ 09:09:50
I remember seeing Knight of a Trillion Stars and Rejar with nice new covers. I saw them in a Super Walmart but it was over a month ago, Sorry … they might be gone forever now.
I sent an e-mail this morning asking about the whereabouts of my book and told them I would file a complaint. Let’s see if this does anything.
I also said if she finds a real publisher I would buy from there but never again from her rip ‘em off website.
Jul 11, 2011 @ 13:16:16
Hi well its been a long while since I’ve been to walmart. I did see the rejar, mine to take on the dorchester website, they are out of the print book but are selling the ebook version. I declined the ebook and sent them an email to see if they plan to re-release her books in paperback format. Here is their exact response. It seems they have gone to print on demand, trade paperback, with even more now as ebooks.
Thanks for reading my post and have a great day.
Rhyanna
“Rhyanna,
Unfortunately all of our book clubs have been suspended. We will no longer be publishing in mass market paperback format so once a title is out of stock it would only be published in e-book format or if we decide to reprint in trade size paperback format.
Due to the volume of email received please do not delete the contents of this email when replying so that we can more easily refer back to this thread.
Happy Reading!
Customer Service
Dorchester Publishing
11 West Ave. Suite 103
Wayne, PA 19087
Phone: 800.481.9191
Fax: 610.995.9274
Email: customerservice@dorchpub.com
Web: http://www.dorchesterpub.com
Dec 02, 2011 @ 06:16:23
I ordered Dara Joys book over a year ago and have nothing but run around from Cory somebody ever since. Like a snow storm caused trouble with printing. I paid for the book and I’m sure it is long gone. I can’t get ahold of this person anymore as the address now does not exist. I have always liked Dara Joy’s books but now feel ripped off and if I’m not the only one this happened to then she is making a nice living ripping people off.
Jan 14, 2012 @ 14:55:20
I just saw this post, and it made me incredibly happy I never caved and ordered The Amazing Tales of Wildcat Arrows. I DID order That Familiar Touch, being young and not having a clue about all the possible things that could have gone wrong. I honestly can’t remember if I had to wait longer than expected for the book. I do know that the primary reason why I never paid for the next one was because That Familiar Touch was terrible. I STILL get emails trying to entice me to pay for a complete set of Joy’s works in e-book form ($40 for all of it). Um, no thank you.
EDIT: Wait, now it’s $45, and she’s got another print book she’s trying to sell.
Mar 08, 2012 @ 08:48:51
I just ordered from Dara Joy’s website 2 e-books before I saw this site. Now I am feeling I should have done my research first before ordering. I am not sure if I will get my e-books at all, like some of the other commentators, I will wait for 3 days and if I did not get anything from them, I will ask Paypal to refund my money. This is so sad and Dara Joy used to be one of my favourite authors.
Apr 13, 2012 @ 23:47:11
Ive been waiting for the continuation of the Matrix of Destiny series since high school…I just turned 29 in February :/