I think we need a show of hands by all those authors who thought we might be blogging about them today. In truth, while there is certainly fodder out there, no one can really top what Dara Joy, aka Donna Lanier, is doing to her readers. It’s one thing for an author to curse readers or suggest that they are criminally insane but it is a whole other game to take readers’ money for a book that you promise to send and then never actually send the book. Because if that is what is really happening, then you are stealing from people. And not just stealing their money like Tara Janzen stole mine by eviscerating her characters and giving me two generic sex scenes late in the story. No. Really stealing their money.
Maybe I’ll just entitle this Authorial Business Tutorial #1. Do not steal from your readers. They will hate you forever. For those curious, Mrs Giggles reviewed the book. I am thinking its a "do not buy" and not just because if you tried to buy, you wouldn’t get the book.
If you can’t be arsed to read the story of Elizabeth, a devoted fan (and I mean really devoted), then click here for the method that Elizabeth used to get her book. This method has worked for many other fans and we hope it works for you. You could also email her attorney:
- Keith Halpern, Attorney (not that he is answering any of these inquiries but it doesn’t hurt to inundate him.)
The lawsuit filed by Dorchester against Donna Lanier is in stasis right now. The last filing was as of 05/03/2005 and the court needs to rule on a request by Dorchester to decide the suit in Dorchester’s favor. One thing I noticed in reading Dara Joy’s version of the lawsuit versus Dorchester’s was that Dara Joy accused Dorchester of dragging this suit out for 3 years. In reading the docket sheet, it was actually Ms. Joy/Lanier who repeatedly missed deadlines, asked for more time to meet said missed deadlines, providing a myriad of excuses (one being her health) and ultimately causing enormous delay. Sound familiar?
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…
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.
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.
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.
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 ….
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.
How very sad.
Talk about committing suicide…
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?
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.
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.
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.
Talk about shooting yourself in your own foot. Truly astounding, but perhaps not surprising.
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.
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.
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.
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. :(
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.
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.
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*
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
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.
I also believe in the “two sides to every storyâ€Â? 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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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.
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
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!
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
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!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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
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
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.
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
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
Vanessa, if there is anyone who can help you, it is Elizabeth.
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
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
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…
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
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!
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
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
Elizabeth - I’ll host the contents of the site here as well. Thanks for all your help.
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!
It’s working now thanks. I have added the link to my page. Thanks again for all your help.
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.
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.
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
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 als